Digital Twin at Hannover : Live Product Innovation in Action
Last week saw the conclusion of Hannover fair. Being one of the largest trade shows in the world, it is a key showcase for product manufacturers, technology providers alike. It’s a showcase to get a glimpse of how Avant Garde are riding the waves of industrie 4.0. and leveraging the internet of things(IoT).
The proliferation of IoT technology makes it possible to connect a wide variety of sensors to assets and products. Often we think that connecting sensors to the products already makes then ready to reap the benefits of IoT. But this is only one part of the puzzle. How can the manufacturers take advantage of these innovations to create value for their customers and retain their competitive advantage?
The SAP showcase of Digital product lifecycle management powered by Leonardo brought to the fore how IoT can enable and drive live product innovation. It showcased the digital twin and the value it drives when there is an effective feedback of product data from physical world to its digital origin. Having the digital representation is only the first step. The critical success factor would be the ability to orchestrate the activities along value chain including design, production, sales and service to effect tangible business outcomes.
The showcase illustrated a scenario where a manufacturer of robot grippers derives live insights of the product performance in the field. The IoT sensors enable to feed information regarding operational, environmental and usage parameters for the product. Powered by SAP Leonardo, the live information is translated into actionable insights for the product manager. The product manager triggers an innovation process involving diverse stake holders.
Onboarding the systems engineer to refine the requirements based on the live insights of product usage. Collaborating with the cost controllers to check for the commercially viability of the innovation. Leveraging the SAP Product lifecycle costing to simulate the costing and ensure that new innovations are well with in target costs. The designers then carry out detailed engineering of the product. The mechanical, electronics and the electrical modules of the product are seamlessly brought together with the SAP Engineering Control Center. The SAP ECTR interfaces to Mechanical CAD, Electrical CAD and Electronic design systems enables the engineers to integrate their design tools directly into SAP environment ensuring completeness, accuracy and consistency of product information across the enterprise.
The matured engineering designs are then transitioned for production. The product thus developed are onboarded to asset intelligence network and to SAP’s IoT application enablement so that the digital twin is complete and ready for feeding live data from real world.
Showcase illustrated that ‘live business’ can transform industries and holds the key of creating value both for manufacturers & customers alike. This leads to increased demand and opportunities for manufacturers in the market, and increased access to information for both manufacturers and their customers.
It results in efficient development of reliable and desirable products that are tailored to the individual choices of customer.It also underpins the need to have a digital product innovation platform which brings together diverse stakeholders enabling them to act on live information.
SAP is uniquely positioned to address this enabling manufacturers to effectively manage the lifecycle of smart connected products. Visit us at SAPPHIRE NOW 2017 in Orlando, Florida from May 16 – 18th, 2017 to learn about the exciting innovations and customer experiences at R&D sessions.
Also do not miss the chance to register and learn more at the PLM infoday in Germany on May 22.