In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected and technology-driven, the key to success is not only knowledge but, above all, the ability to collaboratively manage and optimize complex systems. This is exactly what we demonstrated this year during our Factorio Hackathon 2024. Instead of tackling traditional problem-solving or coding challenges, we dove into the captivating world of Factorio to work as a team, coordinating and building a complex, automated factory.
Why Factorio?
Factorio is more than just a game - it's an intense simulation game about building an efficient production plant. Resource management, logistics, automation and teamwork are essential to master the ever-increasing challenges. It is precisely these elements that are reflected in the day-to-day requirements of our company: increasing efficiency, optimizing processes and overcoming challenges together.
The Factorio Hackathon was the perfect opportunity to hone these skills in a fun yet strategically challenging environment. In addition, we closely integrated our ERP system into the process, using the game as a practical way to familiarize new employees and interns with it. This allowed them to gain hands-on experience in managing resources and optimizing workflows, while also learning the intricacies of our ERP system in a collaborative and engaging setting.
The course of the Factorio Hackathon
Our hackathon lasted 48 hours and brought together our team of 10. To manage the complex tasks efficiently, we split into different departments, each responsible for specific areas of the factory. These smaller groups took care of specialized tasks in order to coordinate the entire production in the best possible way.
The highlights: Interplanetary exploration and teamwork
The Factorio Hackathon offered some interesting highlights that made the event an educational experience. One of the key achievements was not only building an efficient factory as a team, but also getting the opportunity to travel to new planets. After the successful launch of our rocket, we were able to explore alien worlds and develop new resources there.
During the 48 hours, the various departments worked intensively to complete their respective tasks - from resource procurement to production optimization. This became particularly important when we encountered other planets, each with their own challenges and conditions. We had to be flexible and adapt our processes accordingly.
The moment we landed on a new planet and set up the first production chains was a clear milestone in the hackathon. Thanks to the cooperation of all departments, we were able to quickly utilize the specific resources of the new environment and advance our goal.
More Than Just an Event
Our hackathon was more than just a simple event. It demonstrated the potential within our team when we collaborate on complex tasks and leverage everyone’s knowledge. The cross-departmental cooperation created new synergies and encouraged some participants to explore new approaches and solutions.
The hackathon provided an opportunity to experiment with new technologies and processes while also contributing to the strengthening of our sense of community and team spirit. Working together on various projects highlighted the importance of effective communication and collaboration—skills that are also essential in our everyday work.
We are satisfied with the results and plan to pursue some of the ideas developed in the coming months. The hackathon opened new perspectives for us, and we look forward to the next event to explore further approaches.
