itelligence Cited as Leader in Manufacturing Area Known as Digital Factory
itelligence’s approach to implementing the Digital Factory – a concept that uses digital technology to create modeling, deliver communications, and operate the manufacturing process – is proving highly successful for its customer companies.
According to market researchers, the teknowlogy Group, itelligence AG offers a broad range of digital services for developing intelligent enterprises. In its latest study, teknowlogy Group rated itelligence as a “relevant provider” of consulting services and system integration in relation to the Digital Factory. Crucial to the outstanding rating is the itelligence mix of extensive process knowledge in the manufacturing industry, solid SAP know-how, comprehensive knowledge of relevant system architectures, and experience with innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, as well as adaptive software development.
Industry know-how combined with innovative technologies
“Where the Digital Factory is concerned, itelligence is emerging as a relevant player,” reports Klaus Holzhauser, Senior Vice President Digital Innovation and IoT at market analyst company teknowlogy Group. “The company’s strengths include its proprietary add-ons, as well as experience with diverse technologies such as machine learning, chatbots and location tracking.”
In addition to custom applications, itelligence develops strategies and roadmaps for the digitization of manufacturers as part of its consulting services. Holzhauser praises the company’s strong focus on innovation for Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT), the consultants’ skills in the area of machine and plant maintenance, the know-how relating to service and data-based business models, and the close integration of shop floor and top floor.
In the study, teknowlogy Group compared 47 providers offering IT consulting and system integration. Analysts identified itelligence as a provider in five areas covering all applications:
- Asset and plant performance monitoring
- Predictive analytics and maintenance
- Digital quality control
- Connected worker
- Tracking of products, tools and material
Sensor data and close integration make manufacturing intelligent
itelligence offers several approaches for the Digital Factory: SAP standard modules, its own proprietary SAP add-ons and third-party solutions. The Logistics Bridge add-on, for instance, enables the tracking of transport containers, tools and products in order to automate workflows. The 3D Visual Assembly add-on provides detailed assistance for assembly work in production.
itelligence supports use cases in the area of the Connected Worker with augmented reality assistance systems such as Microsoft HoloLens and wearable technology. Possible areas of application include customer service, access control in critical manufacturing areas, and the picking process. The integration of these technologies with SAP S/4HANA® is performed via SAP Cloud Platform.
A further element of the Digital Factory is the vertical integration of manufacturing machines. In the case of less complex requirements, the it.x-connect IoT add-on is used; for more extensive installations the SAP Manufacturing Execution application is used. For cloud users, SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud represents an exciting alternative. All in all, itelligence supports everything from sensors right down into processes.
teknowlogy Group rates the use cases itelligence uses for customers highly. Using machine learning, Xervon Instandhaltung GmbH has reduced costs for pump operation and maintenance in cooling towers operated by energy providers. System developer and provider Scheidt & Bachmann monitors the positions of transport media in production with sensors using Bluetooth technology. In each case, itelligence linked the sensors to the SAP ERP application with the Logistics Bridge add-on.
Collaborations ensure know-how transfer from research
For German customers in the manufacturing sector, SAP is an important provider of business applications, and according to teknowlogy Group, itelligence is well set up to implement solutions for the Digital Factory within existing SAP landscapes. In these endeavors, it benefits from close cooperation with the Industry 4.0 initiative of RWTH Aachen and the “Intelligente Technische Systeme Ostwestfalen-Lippe” cluster, as well as from its membership with the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance, which is involved in shaping the manufacturers’ ecosystems.
As an SAP PartnerEdge platinum partner, itelligence offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, ranging from consulting and systems integration to hosting to managed services for SAP solutions. For applications in networked production, itelligence has partnered with Microsoft and uses the Azure IoT Solution Stack. For edge gateways, itelligence cooperates with hardware providers such as Harting, and for location tracking with technology providers such as Bosch and Ubisense.
Norbert Rotter, CEO of itelligence AG, intends to strengthen the company’s manufacturing focus further in the future: “Technologies such as artificial intelligence, including machine learning and the Internet of Things, have enormous potential in manufacturing. As a globally operating SAP consulting company, we have been supporting manufacturing companies in their digitization efforts for many years, and we shall build on those achievements with the Digital Factory.”
For further information on the study and the awards: https://itel.li/digital-factory
About teknowlogy Group
teknowlogy Group is the leading independent European research and consulting firm in the fields of digital transformation, software and IT services. It brings together the expertise of two research and advisory firms, each with a strong history and local presence in the fragmented markets of Europe: CXP and PAC (Pierre Audoin Consultants).
itelligence
itelligence AG transforms IT landscapes and business processes through the combination of innovative SAP software and technology with services and products developed in-house. As an SAP Global Platinum Partner, itelligence supports SMEs and large enterprises in every phase of their digital transformation. itelligence’s range of services includes IT strategy and transformation consulting, software deployment and implementation, as well as application management and managed cloud services. The excellence of these services is built on the foundation of itelligence’s local presence, global capacity, and comprehensive industry expertise. itelligence partners with customers to create new and innovative business opportunities through the use of IT – for each facet of the customer’s business. Thousands of satisfied customers have placed their trust in itelligence, many of them since the company was founded 30 years ago.
itelligence’s contribution to innovation and long-term business success has been confirmed by numerous SAP awards and leading market analysts. itelligence is part of the global NTT DATA group and employs about 10,000 people across 28 countries. In 2019, itelligence generated about 1 billion euros in total revenues.
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Head of Corporate Public Relations
Silvia Dicke
itelligence AG
Königsbreede 1
D-33605 Bielefeld
Tel.: +49 (0) 521 / 9 14 48 – 107
E-Mail: [email protected]