{"id":20210,"date":"2026-10-14T07:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T05:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/industrializing-ai-instead-of-experimenting-sven-maushake-appears-on-the-shift-podcast\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T07:56:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T05:56:35","slug":"sven-maushake-shift-podcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/sven-maushake-shift-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Industrializing AI Instead of Experimenting: Sven Maushake Appears on the \u201cshift\u201d Podcast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does technological innovation translate into tangible business value?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI is transforming not only the capabilities of IT but also the way companies operate, grow, and design their processes. However, there are numerous challenges between initial AI experiments and full-scale deployment across the entire company. For companies experiencing international growth in particular, the question arises of how new technologies can be meaningfully integrated and scaled.<\/p>\n\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align:center;padding:15px 0 29px 0;\">\r\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/033PfO15H2YOis98RUhIme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;             background-image:linear-gradient(90deg,#980043 0%,#281923 100%);             color:#ffffff;             font-family:&#039;Open Sans&#039;,sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;             font-size:16px;line-height:1;text-decoration:none;             padding:14px 28px;             border-radius:10px 0 10px 10px;\">\r\n    <svg viewbox=\"0 0 168 168\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n      <path d=\"M84 0a84 84 0 1 0 0 168A84 84 0 0 0 84 0zm38.5 121.2a5.2 5.2 0 0 1-7.2 1.7c-19.7-12-44.5-14.8-73.7-8.1a5.2 5.2 0 1 1-2.3-10.2c31.9-7.3 59.4-4.2 81.5 9.3a5.2 5.2 0 0 1 1.7 7.3zm10.3-22.9a6.5 6.5 0 0 1-9 2.2C101.2 86.7 66.8 82.6 40.1 90.7a6.6 6.6 0 1 1-3.8-12.5c30.5-9.3 68.4-4.8 94.4 11.1a6.5 6.5 0 0 1 2.1 9zm.9-23.8C106.7 58.4 62 56.9 36.2 64.7a7.8 7.8 0 1 1-4.5-15C61.3 40.7 110.5 42.5 141.7 61a7.8 7.8 0 0 1-8 13.5z\"><\/path>\r\n    <\/svg>\r\n     Listen now and subscribe\r\n  <\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the seventh episode of \u201cshift \u2013 Das Signal im Rauschen\u201d, Balz Z\u00fcrrer speaks with Sven Maushake, CIO of Belimo, about the impact of the AI boom on the Swiss technology company, the industrialization of AI, and the transformation of IT from a service provider to a business enabler. The discussion also covers intelligent agents, data quality, scalable business processes, and the question of how executives should navigate rapid technological change.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between Business and Technology<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sven Maushake has been interested in computers and their applications since childhood. He taught himself to program. For his college studies, however, he did not choose a purely technical path but instead studied business at the University of St. Gallen.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This combination has shaped his professional career to this day. After holding various international leadership positions, including roles at DKSH and as Group CIO at ORIOR AG, he has served as CIO at Belimo since 2020.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe hcb-fetch-image-from=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/VBxJV0RKA54\" title=\"#7 shift | Sven Maushake \u00fcber AI, Transformation und Skalierung\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VBxJV0RKA54?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His fascination lies less in technology as an end in itself. Rather, he is interested in the specific opportunities it offers businesses and how these can be leveraged in a way that makes economic sense.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With generative AI, this fascination has taken on a whole new dimension. A key moment for him was an article in the Neue Z\u00fcrcher Zeitung, which, as it turned out, had been generated in large part by AI.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back then, he realized what fundamental changes this technology could bring about. Today, it is clear to him that AI represents a new technological capability whose long-term implications are still difficult to assess.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Belimo: A Swiss \u201cHidden Champion\u201d in the AI Boom<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Belimo develops and manufactures actuators, valves, and sensors for controlling heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The internationally successful Swiss company has grown significantly in recent years.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another growth driver is the global expansion of data centers. This is because high-performance AI systems require enormous computing capacity and the corresponding cooling infrastructure. This is precisely where Belimo\u2019s products come into play\u2014for example, in the regulation of cooling circuits.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Belimo thus benefits from AI on two levels: as a technology user within its own company and as a supplier for the infrastructure on which AI applications run.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, this growth brings new challenges.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While products for traditional building technology often function reliably for decades, requirements in the data center market change much more rapidly. International technology companies and hyperscalers sometimes think in terms of weeks rather than years when it comes to innovation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Belimo, this means adapting its products, development processes, and delivery capabilities to a significantly faster pace.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From IT Service Provider to Business Enabler<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the company grows, the role of IT at Belimo is also changing.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The company has evolved from an organization with a strong small-to-medium-sized business character into a globally active technology company. The existing culture and customer focus remain key success factors. At the same time, new structures, standardized processes, and systems are needed to keep pace with the growing business volume.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Sven Maushake, therefore, the focus is on the further development of corporate IT.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.online.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_Maushake_Totale-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Balz Z\u00fcrrer (left) talking with Sven Maushake (right).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IT should no longer be viewed primarily as an internal service provider that delivers infrastructure and applications. Rather, it must actively contribute to improving business processes and enabling corporate growth.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this process, responsibility for the processes remains deliberately with the line organizations. IT contributes its technological expertise, helps identify opportunities for improvement, and works with the business to develop appropriate solutions.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This shift from service provider to business enabler is further accelerated by AI. This is because the technology opens up possibilities that go far beyond traditional efficiency gains.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From AI Experiments to Industrialization<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like many companies, Belimo has initially gained experience with generative AI in recent years. Various use cases were tested, proofs of concept were implemented, and initial insights were gained.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, the next phase begins for Sven Maushake: the industrialization of AI.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The focus is no longer primarily on trying out individual options. AI is to be systematically integrated into the organization, existing systems, and, above all, business processes.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To this end, Belimo is pursuing an approach with three technological levels.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first level consists of applications such as Microsoft Copilot, which support employees in their daily work. More than 700 employees are already using the tool. The key factor here is not just the technical implementation. Belimo relies on voluntary adoption, supported by training, communities, and active knowledge sharing.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second level comprises company-specific AI agents and a shared data and integration platform. This enables the consolidation of information from various applications and the automation of more complex tasks.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third level consists of existing business applications such as ERP and CRM systems. Their vendors are also increasingly integrating AI functions, which Belimo intends to leverage specifically.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maushake finds the interaction between these levels particularly interesting. For example, when intelligent agents can combine information from SAP and CRM, new opportunities arise for optimizing entire business processes.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI Agents Are Transforming Business Processes<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The extent of this potential is particularly evident in processes involving many manual steps.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sven Maushake cites examples from sales. These include handling customer inquiries, preparing quotes, and comparing technical specifications with requests for proposals.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, many of these tasks involve manual effort. In the future, specialized AI agents could take over individual steps and link them together.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Belimo is already working on pilot applications in this area, such as those designed to assist with responding to requests for proposals. Order entry also offers potential due to the high proportion of manual work involved.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key point: AI does not necessarily just speed up existing tasks. Certain work steps could be handled entirely by agents.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, employees\u2019 responsibilities will also change over the long term. Some routine tasks will be eliminated, while other tasks that add greater value will become more important.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For companies, therefore, it is not only the technical implementation that will be challenging. Change management and the further development of existing roles will also become key tasks.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Quality and Process Standardization as Success Factors<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technological prerequisites for the industrialization of AI are already in place at Belimo in many areas.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The company has a comparatively well-integrated system landscape with central business applications. Nevertheless, Sven Maushake sees room for improvement\u2014particularly at the process level.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strong international growth has led to the establishment of different processes in various markets. What makes sense locally can make global scaling more difficult as business volume increases.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The challenge, therefore, lies in harmonizing processes more closely without losing customer proximity and the necessary local flexibility.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, professional data management is becoming increasingly important. After all, AI can only deliver reliable results if the underlying information is available, structured, and of high quality.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGarbage in, garbage out\u201d thus still applies even in the age of generative AI.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Maushake, clear data responsibilities, harmonized data structures, and an appropriate technical architecture are therefore among the most important prerequisites for a successful AI transformation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking back, he would have invested in these fundamentals even earlier and more heavily.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI belongs in the business strategy\u2014not just in IT<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Belimo, AI is not meant to remain an isolated technology project.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of creating a standalone, centralized AI strategy document, the company integrates AI into its various functional strategies. These include, for example, the IT, supply chain, and innovation strategies.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea behind this is simple: the concrete benefits of AI arise where business processes are designed and managed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The departments must therefore understand the possibilities this technology offers and where it can be used effectively. IT supports them in this effort with platforms, expertise, and technical implementation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, this requires that managers themselves develop a basic understanding of AI.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They don\u2019t need to know every technical detail. What\u2019s crucial is gaining a sense of which tasks AI can handle, where its limitations lie, and what new opportunities this creates for their own areas of responsibility.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Precisely because the technology is changing so rapidly, this ability is becoming increasingly important.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between Fascination and the Pressure to Change<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sven Maushake views the development of AI with great fascination. At the same time, he candidly acknowledges that the tremendous pace of progress also creates pressure.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New models, applications, and providers are emerging almost constantly. Capabilities that were still impressive just a few years ago are now already standard.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates a dilemma for companies: On the one hand, they must keep pace with these developments. On the other hand, sustainable change requires time, clear priorities, and a solid foundation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every technological innovation therefore immediately justifies a new project.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is to identify the use cases that actually create added value and to consistently align available resources with them.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This also includes investments in employees, leadership, and organizational development. After all, the ability to successfully implement technological innovations does not depend solely on the performance of the systems used.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to the seventh episode of \u201cshift\u201d now<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The conversation with Sven Maushake illustrates how closely technological progress, business growth, and organizational transformation are intertwined.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a Swiss technology company, Belimo benefits directly from the global AI boom. At the same time, the company faces the challenge of using AI productively itself and aligning its own business processes for further growth.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This makes one thing clear: The long-term value of AI does not come from conducting as many experiments as possible or from implementing individual tools. What matters most is thoughtful integration into business processes, reliable data, and employees who understand and can apply new technologies.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, Balz Z\u00fcrrer and Sven Maushake discuss how AI agents are changing existing workflows, why standardization is crucial for scaling, and what role leaders must play in an increasingly AI-driven business world.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The seventh episode of <strong>\u201cshift \u2013 Das Signal im Rauschen\u201d<\/strong> is now available on <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/0H8Lpe6LYQRic2obWcDRxj?si=8R05LJ3_RoG6HyL0ScOFJw\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/22IQJz29zPCpRIVdYLS3Db?si=iL_xM4p6QGyOSsgKg3xhng&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=8d68f0d1d68f4dedhttps:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/22IQJz29zPCpRIVdYLS3Db?si=iL_xM4p6QGyOSsgKg3xhng&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=8d68f0d1d68f4ded\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotify<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/VBxJV0RKA54\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/VBxJV0RKA54\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How does technological innovation translate into tangible business value? AI is transforming not only the capabilities of IT but also the way companies operate, grow, and design their processes. However, there are numerous challenges between initial AI experiments and full-scale deployment across the entire company. For companies experiencing international growth in particular, the question arises [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":20206,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80,77],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai-en","category-about-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20210"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20213,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20210\/revisions\/20213"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.online.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}