After 10th VIX Automation Conference
But we didn’t do it alone!This year’s list of conference partners included companies:
- GE Vernova: producer of Proficy software and Conference Sponsor
- SmartSights: producer of the Win-911 alarm software and Main Conference Partner and sponsor of the evening entertainment
- CLICO: expert in IT and OT security – Conference Partner
- DRINK ID - sponsor of the conference kits and beer tasting
- MPGK Krosno, Krośnieński Holding Komunalny - Guest of Honor
- JSW IT Systems
- Polska Grupa Górnicza, KWK ROW Ruch Jankowice
- Avon Operations Polska
Thank you for co-creating this event with us!
Justyna Duda
Marketing Manager
Day 0: Informal talks and Silesian hospitality
Wednesday was all about arrivals and integration. The optional part of the event began with a BBQ dinner (although the weather disrupted our original plans), which culminated in a unique evening celebrating Silesian culture. Marek Szołtysek – a well-known popularizer of Silesian traditions and customs – entertained us with humorous stories about what it means to be a true Silesian.
The evening gained extra flavor thanks to our in-house brewer and member of the Polish Home Brewers Association – Szymon Tomiczek – who hosted a beer tasting, courtesy of its producer and our client, DRINK ID. With great passion, Szymon explained the methodology behind beer tasting and debunked a few beer myths.
Day 1: Official Opening of the Conference
On Thursday morning, Mariusz Benna, President of VIX Automation, officially opened the conference. During his keynote speech, he took us on a brief journey through the previous editions of the event. Then, Thomas Schulz (Channel Manager, GE Vernova) spoke about the potential and synergy between the concepts of Industry 4.0 and sustainable development. Paweł Czepiel (VIX Automation) updated attendees on the latest developments in the Proficy world — and there was a lot to cover, as nearly three years had passed since the last edition of the conference. Since then, a new Polish version of Proficy iFIX was released, and GE Digital transformed into GE Vernova.
Next, Steve Szabo (Director of Sales & Operations EMEA & APAC, SmartSights) demonstrated the capabilities of the advanced alarm management solution, Win-911.
Then, as part of the Case Study section, a user of Proficy systems, Grzegorz Lenko from Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Komunalnej w Krośnie, took the floor along with Guest of Honor, President Janusz Fic. We were introduced to an impressive smart city system and the company’s sustainable development initiatives.
As it turned out, the organizers weren’t the only ones surprising participants with special moments. One of the most touching highlights of the anniversary edition was when Janusz Fic presented Mariusz Benna with a commemorative statuette and certificate of appreciation for years of collaboration.
That wasn’t the only gift Mariusz Benna received that day. Representatives from the Spomlek Dairy Cooperative brought a personalized wheel of their long-aged Bursztyn cheese – a beloved favorite among the VIX Automation team. Gestures like these are truly meaningful to us!
It’s incredibly rewarding and an honor to be recognized by our clients for our work, dedication, and partnership-oriented approach.
Mariusz Benna
CEO
A Underground Journey – Guido Coal Mine in Zabrze
After Thursday’s series of presentations, we traveled to Zabrze for a guided tour of the mine – 320 meters underground. The experience revealed not only the impressive scale of engineering solutions used below ground but also reminded us how many innovations originated right here – born of determination, precision, and engineering ingenuity.
Among the highlights, we saw one of the first mining control rooms, established in 1959, and learned why canaries once “worked” alongside miners underground.
We concluded the extraordinary tour with a traditional Silesian lunch, followed by a unique underground session of Case Studies. While enjoying Guido beer – specially brewed by a local craft brewery – we listened to presentations from mining industry experts: Dawid Zoń, an industrial automation and cybersecurity specialist from JSW IT Systems, and Piotr Zimnol, Chief Electrical Engineer at KWK ROW Ruch Jankowice, part of the Polish Mining Group.
VIX Automation Anniversary: 20 Years Without Downtime!
After a short break, we were once again swept up in the evening atmosphere. But before Adam Snopek took the stage, we experienced a symbolic and truly special moment. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of VIX Automation, we raised a toast and shared a birthday cake, marking “20 years without downtime” – two decades of hard work, growth, and building strong partnerships.
This moment was also an opportunity to honor our clients, who received certificates of recognition from our management board – a token of gratitude for their trust, long-standing collaboration, and the joint projects that are transforming the face of industry.
We didn’t forget about our people – because they are the heart of VIX Automation. We extended special thanks to:
- Mateusz Glanowski – for 15 years of dedication, growth, and commitment to our shared journey,
- Mariusz Benna – for two decades of wise and inspiring leadership,
- and Justyna Duda – for successfully tackling the challenging task of organizing the conference while managing to stay sane throughout!
After this emotional moment, it was time to unwind with some music and Adam Snopek delivered a show that had us laughing to tears and singing along together. A mix of music, humor, and energetic improvisation made for a perfect ending to this intense day.
Day 2 – a large dose of knowledge, NIS2 and Conference Closing
Although it was the final day of the conference, we definitely didn’t slow down. The morning kicked off with a presentation by Michał Jarzyński from GE Vernova on Proficy for Sustainability Insights – a tool supporting sustainable development in industrial facilities. Later that day, Michał also spoke about the Proficy Scheduler for production planning and shared a modern approach to manufacturing management with Proficy Smart Factory MES.
As part of the Case Study segment, Dariusz Wielgosz from Avon Operations Polska shared his experience in supporting energy efficiency management, and Michał Bołdowski from DRINK ID presented their company’s journey toward digital transformation using Proficy solutions.
Steve Szabo also returned to the stage, this time introducing Peer by SmartSights – a tool designed to enable faster response to alarms. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from VIX Automation team members: Łukasz Buczek, Head of the Technical Department, showcased the capabilities of Proficy CSense, which leverages machine learning and AI to optimize processes. Mateusz Glanowski presented Proficy Operations Hub as a tool for creating useful management dashboards and highlighted the achievements of the implementation department over the past three years.
Later the focus shifted to OT system security. Szymon Tomiczek (VIX Automation) asked a direct question: “Are you exposing your SCADA to risk?”, presenting specific threats along with actionable recommendations. The culmination of the day (and the entire conference) was a keynote by Adam Rejmandowski from CLICO, who discussed cybersecurity and the NIS2 directive in industry – addressing both legal requirements and the practical implications for manufacturing companies in a clear and insightful manner.
After a brief wrap-up and official closing of the conference, participants gathered for a final lunch – a chance to relax, reflect, and continue exchanging ideas in a more laid-back atmosphere, still inspired and energized.
We’d like to thank all the participants, speakers, and partners for celebrating this special anniversary with us and helping to create such a unique atmosphere. These three days were filled with knowledge, inspiration, and conversations that will continue to bear fruit in our future projects for a long time to come!
Photos form the event
