Strategic partnership

IBM will act as technology provider, consultant and development partner for a digital ecosystem to support Schaeffler in the integration of its 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. As a first milestone the two companies have built a digital platform for all of Schaeffler's added-value digital services.

An open, digital ecosystem is being built to form an environment in which Schaeffler can work smoothly with its customers and partners, with the digital platform as the technical foundation.

Prof. Peter Gutzmer, deputy CEO and chief technology officer of Schaeffler AG, said: "We are constantly working to offer significant added value for our customers. Our aim is to connect data from across products and processes. Using analytics we turn this primary data into valuable insight which is used to increase the efficiency of our operations and develop innovative services for our customers."

Digital agenda

Gerhard Baum, chief digital officer of Schaeffler, commented on the company's approach for digital transformation: "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. At Schaeffler, 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."