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Industrial Internet of ThingsTransparency in materials trading
We live in a digital world and are connected across the globe. So why shouldn’t our machines be connected too? The experts at tk accelis asked themselves exactly that question and used the Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT, to digitalize their business end to end.
The future of materials trading is digital
For tk accelis, digitalization is the most powerful lever for making its business more efficient. In materials trading in particular, automation and digital connectivity unlock entirely new potential. Across the materials distributor’s approximately 380 locations worldwide, which also provide supply chain solutions, around 14 million order items are processed every year. To process and deliver these materials, hundreds of systems from different manufacturers have to work together seamlessly every day. A single failure can quickly put the entire supply chain at risk.
The IIoT platform toii® connects machines and production systems, captures real-time process data and provides the foundation for transparent and more efficient manufacturing processes.
Capturing data in real time
But what exactly is IIoT? The Industrial Internet of Things is an umbrella term for technologies that form part of a global infrastructure. At tk accelis (formerly thyssenkrupp Materials Services), toii® serves as a comprehensive integration platform, connecting production IT systems such as ERP systems with production equipment and warehouses from different manufacturers - even when they use entirely different technologies - and enabling them to communicate with one another in real time.
toii® connects warehouses, machines and ERP systems, enabling transparent material flows and data-driven optimization across the entire supply chain.
By connecting machines and production data, toii® lays the foundation for smart manufacturing and supports companies on their journey towards Industry 4.0.
This gives the company continuous insight into process workflows, production status and machine utilization. Based on objective figures, data and facts, it can identify opportunities for optimization and maintain control over its processes. The individual toii® modules perform a wide range of tasks in the digital factory - from data collection and machine control to visualization. This makes every step of the workflow more transparent for the company.
A strong partner on the journey toward Industry 4.0
IIoT plays a central role for tk accelis on its journey toward Industry 4.0, while toii® can also create added value in other industries. The materials distributor has therefore consolidated its expertise in the digitalization of manufacturing processes in a dedicated company, where it continues to develop IIoT solutions.
tk accelis IoT GmbH has set itself the task of supporting companies outside thyssenkrupp on their digital journey and making their process chains more transparent. To achieve this, the company offers an end-to-end solution for connecting and digitalizing manufacturing and value chains. To date, more than 750 different machines operated by over 25 customers worldwide have been connected through the toii® platform. The technology has already successfully supported more than 750,000 production orders. Incidentally, the oldest machine connected to toii® dates back to 1961!
A major challenge, but one that also offers considerable potential for optimization. This is where the company’s proprietary IIoT technology, toii®, comes in. Through continuous data analysis, it creates the essential basis for improvement: transparency.
The pace of innovation has increased enormously in recent years, while processes are becoming increasingly digitalized and connected. In this environment, it is more important than ever for companies to have experienced partners at their side - partners that help them secure competitive advantages with innovative solutions and successfully transition to Industry 4.0.