SAMSON contributed a keynote speech to the 2017 German Digital Summit. The topic was Industrie 4.0 and its implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises as part of the focal Industrie 4.0 in Practice platform, which works on recommendations and objectives for the Internet of Things (IoT). Mr. Guido König, Senior Technology Manager for Business Innovation and Digital Transformation at SAMSON, said in his speech: "Implementation does not work without standards. We can only succeed as partners cooperating in a network based on a joint platform."
As part of a project, BASF, SAP, Pepperl+Fuchs, SAMSON, and Endress+Hauser created the first ever open and safe platform for data exchange in the process industry. The platform makes it possible to compile all data different sources provide about a device or plant section at one central location and to make these data available to the different targeted user groups. The exhibit shown at Digital Summit replicated a section of a butadiene plant to illustrate the remote monitoring of individual control valves and flow meters. For the very first time, ideas from the Industrie 4.0 platform were implemented not in the discrete manufacturing sector but in the chemical industry.
Ms. Melanie Dürr, product manager at SAMSON, had the opportunity to explain the exhibit to the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, and highlight the added benefit the platform brings: "The platform allows us to determine the control valves' condition. And it also enables us to schedule and immediately take the necessary action based on our experience together with our customers." By interacting with the manufacturers and service partners, plant shutdowns can thus be reduced and plant availability increased.
"Apart from providing such smart services, we use the generated data to establish new business models. We no longer sell our control valves only, we also offer our customers the full valve performance package," said Ms. Dürr.
The annual Digital Summit organized by the German Federal Government is the key event for digital transformation in business and society. Over 1,000 participants attended the summit, which was held in Ludwigshafen on 12 and 13 June. In addition to Dr. Angela Merkel, the audience included several ministers from the federal and state governments as well as leaders from science, business, and administration.