As part of its "Mobility for tomorrow" strategy, Schaeffler is digitising its entire organisation, with IBM as its strategic partner. Schaeffler intends to create a digital platform for processing large amounts of data, which it expects to generate insights that can transform its operations. From the autumn of 2016 the resulting 'Schaeffler Cloud' will be available for the first user cases and applications.
IBM will act as the technology provider, consultant and development partner for a digital ecosystem to support the integration of Schaeffler's mechatronic components, systems and machines into the rapidly expanding world of the "Internet of Things" (IoT), as well as implementing market ready new business models based on digital services. The base will be a global, hybrid cloud infrastructure using IBM's application platform "Bluemix" with Watson IoT to create differentiating applications and mobile apps for the Internet of Things. As a first milestone the two companies have built a digital platform for all of Schaeffler's added-value digital services.
Commenting on the company's approach to digital transformation, Gerhard Baum, Schaeffler's chief digital officer, said: "We are concentrating on expanding the integration of sensors into our existing products as well as developing new products with integrated cognitive software. Not only will the machines and transport infrastructure within the production environment at Schaeffler be connected, but individual plants will also be digitally linked to the whole supply chain ... we want to digitally optimise processes and procedures as well as create new service-oriented processes, and thus drive the digital interaction between people and IT systems."
Linkedin
