Siemens and SAP build open cloud platform for industrial customers

Siemens will establish an open cloud platform for analyzing large volumes of data in industry. This will form the basis for data-based services, such as those offered by Siemens in the areas of predictive maintenance, asset and energy data management.

OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) with their own applications can also use the open infrastructure for data analysis, for example to optimize the operation of their own machine fleets through data analysis (Platform as a Service).

It is planned that the new cloud platform will use technologies from the SAP Hana platform. Hana is based on SAP's in-memory computing technology and is an open platform for customers and developers to develop, expand and operate apps in the cloud.

"The partnership between SAP and Siemens is intended to make it easier for industrial customers to enter the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0. With the cloud platform based on SAP Hana, Siemens aims to decisively advance digitalization in production"

explains Dr. Peter Weckesser, CEO Customer Services, Digital Factory at Siemens, at Sapphire in Orlando at the beginning of May.

"By setting up the new cloud platform, we are decisively driving forward the digitalization of automation. High-performance services for analyzing data from industry are an important part of our digital enterprise strategy"

explained Klaus Helmrich, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, at the industrial trade fair in Hanover in April of this year.

With the development of the new cloud platform, Siemens is expanding its Plant Data Services to include Plant Cloud Services. An open IT ecosystem is to be created based on the Hana platform:

OEMs and application developers can access the platform via open interfaces and use it for their own services and analyses - for example for online monitoring of globally distributed machine tools, industrial robots or industrial equipment such as compressors and pumps.

In the industrial services business, Siemens offers traditional services as well as data-based services, such as Plant Data Services, Plant Security Services and Plant Cloud Services. Siemens customers will use Hana technology to develop, expand and operate apps in the cloud.

"Digitization no longer just stands for a rapidly growing amount of data generated worldwide"

says Klaus Helmrich.

"Digitalization also means collecting data, analysing content, deriving conclusions from it or developing completely new business models - and thus ultimately creating considerable value."

Digitalization is revolutionizing global business: Companies can work more closely and quickly with partners, communicate directly with end customers and respond to their specific requirements.

"Digitalization is triggering a new wave of innovation and opening up completely new business and growth opportunities for companies. These rapid technological developments need to be understood, embraced and utilized"

added Helmrich.

The industry is faced with the enormous challenges of achieving the shortest possible time-to-market as well as a high degree of flexibility and efficiency. Helmrich explained:

"Only those who are able to use the large amounts of data intelligently can ensure decisive added value for their customers."

Siemens believes it is ideally equipped for the smart data-to-business principle, according to which data is transformed into knowledge and business models: with its combination of domain, product and process expertise with in-depth software, IT and analytics knowledge.

With the SAP cooperation, Siemens is further expanding its data-based services (Plant Data Services) introduced in 2014. As part of these services, machine and plant data is continuously recorded, pre-processed and analyzed, which offers manufacturing companies specific added value.

The Asset Analytics service, for example, enables companies to increase the availability of machines, production lines or entire plants through continuous online monitoring.

This is achieved by using intelligent pattern recognition or simulation to detect impending faults well in advance and initiate countermeasures at an early stage.

With the Energy Analytics energy data management service, Siemens is in turn helping plant operators to increase the transparency of consumption data and leverage hidden energy-saving potential.