Posted by Daniel Schumacher on March 18, 2020
By gearing its service processes to the Internet of Things (IoT) in addition to the classic maintenance model, PILLER, the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance blowers, is providing a successful example for digitalization in the manufacturing industry and showing how mechanical engineering can create new business models with the help of innovative technologies. A decisive factor is the seamless integration, and the creation of a standardized enterprise platform. For this, PILLER was awarded the SAP Innovation Award 2020 in the Business Transformation category on March 18, 2020. The official award ceremony will take place during SAPPHIRE NOW (May 12-15, 2020) in Orlando, Florida.
"We are very pleased to have won the SAP Innovation Award," says Thomas Henzler, Chief Information Officer at Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH. "The award is a confirmation that we have successfully adapted our processes and thus also our business models to the digital age and will continue to expand them. We network our customers with us through innovative services in order to generate added value for all sides". Thanks to IoT and process automation, PILLER customers benefit from higher machine reliability and faster service processing.
At the customer's request, PILLER equips its high-performance blowers with sensors that permanently collect data on the machine status and transmit it in real time to the SAP Cloud Platform via the IoT. With the help of this sensor data, potential problems with the blowers can be detected early on. This gives service technicians the time they need to replace individual components before the entire machine fails.
Furthermore, the IoT application and the SAP Cloud Platform are seamlessly integrated into the existing IT system landscape with the CRM system SAP C/4HANA and the ERP system SAP S/4HANA. This enables PILLER to map the entire service process - from ticket processing and the dispatch of service technicians to automated billing - end-to-end. The result is significantly higher customer satisfaction.
The project was implemented in close cooperation with the Heilbronn-based SAP consulting company IBsolution. "We appreciate the partnership with PILLER and are proud that our project was awarded the SAP Innovation Award", says Loren Heilig, Managing Director of IBsolution. "Together we have shown the high innovation potential of German medium-sized businesses."
For more information, visit the SAP Innovation Awards 2020 website
Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH manufactures high-performance blowers for the process industry. The global player with a tradition of over 100 years has made a name for itself worldwide as a technology leader. Customised solutions at a high technical level meet the special requirements of a wide range of industries, such as refineries, (petro)chemical, industrial furnace construction, plant engineering, power stations and waste water treatment. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, its own subsidiaries and agencies, PILLER delivers 85% of its products abroad.
