Today SAP made a significant announcement, doubling down on its commitment to, and investment in, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
The company plans to make a multi-year investment of €2 billion through 2021 to help business and government entities benefit from the proliferation of sensors, smart devices and Big Data that is transforming business through the Internet of Things.
“With billions of connected devices, we now have the potential to reshape society, the economy and the environment,” said Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP. “SAP HANA is the data platform we knew would unlock the Internet of Things. Today SAP is making another bold investment to help our customers seize the benefits of live business. Only SAP empowers businesses to innovate from the core to the edges to the networks.”
SAP also plans to accelerate innovation in its IoT software and services portfolio, increase sales and marketing, grow its service and support activities, and expand its ecosystem of partners and startups in the IoT market, which is expected to be worth €250 bn by 2020.
Business and public sector entities now have unprecedented access to more information and real-time feeds, but they still have difficulty tying it all together across operating locations, business units and functional teams. SAP IoT aims to make sense of Big Data generated by IoT sensors using software that exploits machine learning techniques and integrates with the core business applications of SAP S/4 HANA.
From Information to Insights, Action and Live Business
SAP IoT software and services connect people, partners, things and the physical environment. Taking sensor data from the edge of the network, and bringing it back to the core business applications will give organizations immediate, live intelligence. They can see where opportunities exist, gain operational efficiencies, and reimagine their business models, products, and services – all with the goal of delivering more immediate customer and stakeholder value.
New Industry 4.0 Solution Packages
SAP is introducing two new IoT software and service packages that will support customers’ digital business strategies. A “jumpstart” package will connect operations and business systems so companies can more easily monitor equipment effectiveness and shop floor operations. Meanwhile the “accelerator” package builds on the “jumpstart,” adding automated, paperless, manufacturing execution and control; performance analytics; and advanced plant maintenance.
Both packages are available immediately and will be complemented by the SAP Distributed Manufacturing application, which supports manufacturing 3D printing services.
SAP also plans to introduce the an “advanced” package that will provide advanced manufacturing insight and controls, machine learning functionality and predictive analysis for quality and maintenance operations, at a later date. Future IoT packages are planned that will address the needs of cities, agriculture, and energy industries.
PLAT.ONE, Fedem Acquisitions
SAP has recently acquired PLAT.ONE, an enterprise-grade IoT provider that simplifies the process of creating, deploying and managing complex IoTsystems. Founded in northern Italy, PLAT.ONE provides expertise and technology that will accelerate the availability of key IoT capabilities in SAP HANA Cloud Platform.
SAP previously acquired Fedem Technology, a Norwegian company specializing in advanced engineering analysis. Fedem builds software that helps simulate machinery (like wind turbines) that deal with complex and heavy loads. The acquisition will enable SAP customers to build a digital representation of mechanical assets using data feeds from sensors, replacing the need for physical inspection with a “digital inspection.”
SAP IoT Labs Across the Globe
SAP also plans to establish IoT labs around the world to collaborate on Industry 4.0 and IoT with customers, partners and startups. Planned locations include Berlin, Johannesburg, Munich, Palo Alto, Sao Leopoldo, and Shanghai. The labs are intended to provide customers with access to co-innovation resources including design thinking experts and workshops, and interactive demos of IoT-related technology including autonomous systems (such as drones and robotics), IoT security, machine learning, and 3D printing.
Links:
Full announcement “SAP IoT Connects the World to Enable Live Business”
- SAP Managed Tags:
