The Center of Excellence Automation is gaining momentum
A Strong Signal for the Future: Launch of One of the First Centers of Excellence at Volkswagen Group IT Solutions GmbH
The Center of Excellence Automation, led by Michel Löhr, has officially launched—initially with a 50% role responsibility—and will serve as a central hub for all topics related to automation, low-code/no-code, and digital efficiency.
What is Automation – and Why Now?
Automation today is far more than a technical buzzword—it is a strategic lever for efficiency, quality, and innovation. In a time when companies face increasing pressure to respond quickly to market changes while conserving resources, automation offers a concrete solution.
This includes not only traditional process automation using tools like RPA (Robotic Process Automation), but also the democratization of software development through low-code and no-code platforms. Solutions such as Microsoft Power Apps, Mendix, or the open-source tool n8n empower employees without deep programming knowledge to create their own applications and workflows—quickly, securely, and at scale
Unlike traditional programming, which often takes months or years for complex platforms, low-code solutions can deliver results in weeks or even days. This enables the rapid development of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) or prototypes.
The combination with Artificial Intelligence is particularly exciting: With Microsoft Copilot Studio, intelligent assistants and automations can be created that not only perform tasks but also prepare decisions, analyze data, and interact autonomously with users—even though Copilot Studio is still in the group-wide approval phase.
Automation is not an end in itself—it is the key to making our organization future-ready, agile, and human-centered.
The CoE Automation – Our Competence Center
The CoE Automation is part of a broader strategy to establish multiple Centers of Excellence, including in areas such as AI, Java, ITSM, and more. The goal is to consolidate knowledge, share best practices, and drive innovation together.
This initiative is supported by the CoE Playbook, which lays the foundation for the setup, operation, and further development of the CoEs. A central element is the EmpowerU initiative, an intensive training program for employees that specifically prepares them to work with low-code platforms like the Microsoft Power Platform.
What’s Next?
"I am very happy that we have found Michel Löhr as one of the first CoE leads for one of the new CoEs. Automation in general and the Power Platform in particular offer enormous potential. Please take advantage of the opportunities that the CoEs will offer us in the future to build knowledge, develop components, and make them available to everyone through the communities.
Here, the company is making targeted investments in our technical skills and competence development."
“Automation is not an end in itself—it is the key to making our organization future-proof, agile, and human. We don't automate to replace people, but to give them more space for what really matters.”