Innovation in technology and the internet of things (IoT) is supporting businesses to reimagine how they operate and transform their processes to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. As one of the leading companies specializing in manufacturing high-quality concrete block and paver machines, concrete mixing plants, packagers, and associated materials handling equipment, we partnered with Kontron AIS to develop and implement the SmartCloud platform, an IoT solution that has revolutionized how we provide after sales service to customers worldwide. In a recent IoT Use Case Podcast episode, our Commercial Head of Service, Sandra Oerter, shared insights on how the SmartCloud platform helps customers reduce downtimes and product rejects and evolve support to meet their changing needs.
Our after sales service consists of several pillars, including spare parts business, retrofits, and upgrades resulting from constant developments in the new machine sector. Physically and now also in the field of digitalization.
Since our company never stands still and always develops further, including preventive/predictive maintenance in our portfolio was an idea for quite some time to offer our customers even better service, including minimizing downtimes. In our search for a reliable partner, we came across the company Kontron AIS and decided to go for it. The result of the collaboration – the digital customer portal was developed according to our vision and mission to deliver the best solution for the entire manufacturing process, build the bridge between physical and digital products, and support the customers in making the best concrete product possible.
Together with our customers, we determine today what they need tomorrow. And we take everyone with us on this journey. Beginner or expert. Together we take the easiest path to the best stone.
Together with Kontron AIS, we set up a cloud-based service platform named SmartCloud with an integrated knowledge database that provides customers with a comprehensive overview of all relevant data of your concrete block plants: from the production data to the dynamic maintenance calendar to the digital spare parts catalog.
The SmartCloud platform allows for direct data visualization, which enables customers to achieve more efficient maintenance and service and increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
The installed machine base has a wide age structure, with some being up to 20-25 years old, and the challenge was to include all of them. The solution by Kontron AIS enabled the integration of our software technology, bringing together data in the SmartCloud platform without requiring significant programming effort. Our customers can access a 360-degree tool for their machine(s) and find all the information they need with one click on the dashboard.
Working with and in the SmartCloud platform has several customer benefits, including a reduction of up to 10 % in downtime or 3 % in product rejects, depending on the service package. The platform ensures transparency and a uniform understanding across departments, essential for effective decision-making. Some features of the SmartCloud platform are still in development. We plan to keep moving towards predictive preventive/maintenance and train the platform accordingly to make machines even more efficient.
In conclusion, our collaboration with Kontron AIS has resulted in an innovative IoT solution that revolutionizes after-sales service for our customer’s concrete manufacturing facilities. The SmartCloud platform is a game-changer, making machines more efficient, reducing downtime and product rejects, and improving overall equipment effectiveness. Our commitment to continuous improvement, coupled with Kontron AIS’s expertise in IoT, has created a solution that benefits the company and its customers. We are happy about the successful cooperation and look forward to continuing predictive maintenance development so the customer can operate the machines even more efficiently.
