Schneider Electric and SAP Join Forces to Accelerate Industrial IoT Transformation
Il gigante dell'ERP SAP e l'azienda di automazione industriale Schneider Electric hanno annunciato martedì che amplieranno la loro collaborazione nel campo dell'IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) e della trasformazione digitale, concentrandosi su infrastrutture sostenibili e facilità di implementazione.
The two companies plan to create preconfigured deployment options for IIoT customers, so any company looking for field service management tools that use augmented reality can simply select and use the partner’s preset hardware and software configurations. (Integration of shop-floor operations technology using digital twins for lifecycle management is also planned.)
The idea is to simplify and accelerate the deployment of so-called Industry 4.0 applications – systems that link IT such as ERP software with operational technologies used in manufacturing processes, the companies said in a joint press release. While potential customers are interested in Industry 4.0, many of them view design and deployment as major challenges, which slows the diffusion of new technologies.
Simplifying deployment for a sustainable future
"Le nostre aziende sono allineate sull'importanza della collaborazione, dell'innovazione e degli standard aperti per rendere le soluzioni informatiche e operative integrate facili da usare per i nostri clienti comuni", ha dichiarato in un comunicato Peter Maier, presidente della divisione Industry and Customer Consulting di SAP.
Sustainability was also mentioned in the press release, with the companies saying they plan to offer products in the future to help companies with gestione dell'energia.
However, the fact remains that Industry 4.0 is still very much in its infancy, which means the new deal between Schneider and SAP is as much a matter of cultural integration as it is of creating new solutions, said Marcia Walker, IDC IoT research director. plan.
“Effectively integrating the cultures of two companies is just as challenging as integrating the cultures of IT and OT people,” she said. “I see huge potential for Schneider Electric’s industrial and energy-centric perspective to complement SAP’s ERP-centric heritage. Schneider Electric has proven their ability to integrate cultural change into technology development, as evidenced by their launch of Schneider Electric University. ”
Schneider Electric and SAP Partnership: Cybersecurity Concerns Behind Industry 4.0 Deployments
In addition, the push for new industrial technologies also has its own dangers, said Katell Thielemann, vice president and analyst at Gartner Research. Any time technology is added to existing production systems, it creates cybersecurity risks, she said.
“Industrial production systems are filled with cyber-physical systems that require unprecedented protection, and the announcement is conspicuously silent on this front,” Thielemann said.
The real value of this partnership will be determined by its ability to bring achievable improvements to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By providing pre-integrated IIoT solutions customized for specific operational needs. Such as predictive maintenance or streamlined supply chain management. Schneider Electric and SAP can help SMEs improve efficiency and profitability.
For example, a smaller food processing company can use these solutions to optimize production schedules and reduce waste. Or a regional transportation could improve fleet management and reduce fuel costs. To take full advantage of these opportunities, SMBs should proactively assess their operational challenges and invest in the necessary training to effectively implement and manage these new necessities.
So what does this partnership between Schneider Electric and SAP really mean? Ultimately, it’s about making Industry 4.0 easier to implement. The real test will be whether these pre-integrated solutions can actually deliver on their promise of increased efficiency and reduced costs. What will be interesting to watch is how businesses, especially small businesses, will utilize these new tools and technologies in the coming years. The future of Industry 4.0 may well depend on such partnerships and their ability to translate complex technologies into tangible benefits for businesses of all sizes.
