PVD sputter systems in continuous evolution. Due to the large number of process variations and usable layer materials and their combinations, magnetron sputtering offers a wide range of applications in the industry. The automotive industry, with its focus on electromobility is currently a strong driver for new applications. Increasing technical requirements and the rising cost pressure must be translated into economically viable system concepts. In this article, various basic deposition principles of deposition in inline and batch coaters for magnetron sputtering are explained. Furthermore, some applications and their requirements are described, and a concept derived from this for an inline magnetron sputtering system is presented. © 2020, Wiley-VCH Verlag. All rights reserved.