“From simple to complicated to simple”: This is a good way to describe the life cycle of a management system and the associated learning curve, as participants at the DACH User Meeting and the symposium “5 Years of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) at HSZG” agreed.

Two days of concentrated subject-specific competence on the topic of IMS in Zittau! Company representatives, certifiers, consultants, researchers, alumni, and students—we welcomed approximately 80 participants to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the IMS program at HSZG. A jam-packed program featuring an engaging panel discussion, workshops on perennial topics in everyday IMS work, keynote speeches by renowned experts, and presentations by IMS companies sharing THEIR IMS stories.

The supporting program was no less exciting. At the “Market of Opportunities,” companies could, for example, consult with our experts about their management system “ailments” in the so-called “IMS Clinic,” experience live demonstrations of IMS software, or have an IMS T-shirt printed. An excursion to fit GmbH, offering insights into the practical implementation of management systems, rounded out the technical program.

The events also provided a good opportunity to present the “Zittau Model for the Integration of Management Systems,” developed by Prof. Brauweiler and her team. This model summarizes the variables that determine the design of an IMS in a formula and distinguishes between different degrees of integration. It was a special honor to welcome Anni Koubek from Quality Austria, on whose seminal book our model is based.

Five years of IMS at HSZG have made a significant impact. As Prof. Dr. Friedrich Albrecht emphasized in his welcome remarks, the IMS program was established at the university to make a further contribution to the sustainable development of society and the economy. This has been a success: Through two Master's degree programmes focused on IMS, we have created an attractive academic offering in the region with good job prospects. Thanks to their training—which is unique in Germany to date—and the numerous additional TÜV certifications, our IMS graduates are highly sought-after young professionals among (supra-)regional employers. Our students and staff in the IMS program are key partners who help companies remain competitive in the market and thereby secure jobs. This is because virtually every company must demonstrate compliance with one or more management systems in order to enter into business relationships or to remain legally compliant. Through our theory-to-practice transfer modules, project work, IMS breakfasts and seminars, as well as the Energy Efficiency Network, we help companies establish and maintain their systems, providing up-to-date specialized knowledge and field-tested methods tailored to their needs.

Despite everything, there is still plenty to do. And so the fifth birthday also served to present new ideas for the development of the IMS in teaching, research and transfer and to agree on collaborations.