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Digital Factory now: Data-driven sustainability

Data-driven sustainability Sustainability through data-driven solutions: Make informed decisions, optimize operational processes, strengthen business, and remain successful in the long term – step-by-step together in the direction of Net Zero.

Data transparency is the key to greater efficiency and sustainability

The basis of a sustainable factory is data. Data must first be collected and evaluated to enable the greatest possible transparency regarding consumption and processes. This is the first step towards sustainability. Only operators who know where their resources are being used can develop levers to minimize consumption and optimize processes. In addition to the implementation of new technologies with particularly high cybersecurity requirements and the connectivity of OT and IT, the legal requirements for sustainability are also increasing. With Digital Factory now, we provide scalable solutions for all decision-makers from a single source for the realization of daily challenges for the factory of the future – whether for existing systems or new systems.

The openness of PLCnext Technology makes it easy to connect OT and IT securely and to operate various interfaces. Now, we can not only produce more efficiently and therefore more sustainably, but also protect our IP.

Mr. Vishal Patil - Serum Institute of India, General Manager IT & Automation

Step by step toward a sustainable future Open, scalable, and secure Digital Factory now solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to increase the sustainability balance sheet – modular and flexible from simple terminal blocks to smart services

How can I minimize my resource consumption?

More sustainability through scalability and digitalization:
Around 10% of all production costs can be accounted for by energy costs. In energy-intensive sectors, this can be as high as 40%. Using valuable resources more efficiently not only reduces your costs. It also helps in reducing climate-damaging gas emissions, and increases your company’s sustainability footprint.
Our Digital Factory now solutions help you to gain transparency regarding all your consumption data.

Integration and interoperability: Our control cabinet solutions can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems, which is ideal for brownfield applications where existing infrastructures need to be modernized without disrupting ongoing operations.
Modularity and flexibility: Our modular products feature a high degree of flexibility and adapt to specific requirements, from the terminal block to complex smart services.
Future-proof through digitalization: Our digitalization and automation solutions as a toolbox enable tailored solutions for every application.

How can I easily collect my data?

Redesign your existing system without significant intervention and without losing your certifications or approvals. From simple terminal blocks to complex smart services, we offer scalable solutions for small and large industrial systems. Examples include the versatile Data Collection Box and the Secure Edge Boxes for secure data communication.

Scalable solutions:
The Data Collection Box provides the right solution for smart integration, for example. The intelligent and customizable combination of the PLCnext Control, I/Os, and measuring modules in a compact housing enables quick and easy installation onto existing machines and systems in your Digital Factory – all without losing any certifications, such as CE or UL.

By combining scalability and digitalization, our solutions optimize processes and at the same time increase efficiency and security.

More about data collection

How can I optimally process my data from the OT, IT, edge, and cloud?

Data processing in OT, edge, IT, and cloud: use stored and normalized data for more OEE and sustainability. Whether for green or brownfield applications, we provide support for the optimum use of your data with minimally invasive effort.
Forward your data to any OT, IT, or cloud system. Our open and scalable solutions provide no limits to the seamless processing of any data type. Secure your data with edge solutions in accordance with the CRA.

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How can I use my acquired data intelligently and optimize my factory?

Here, hidden potential can be discovered through AI-based data analysis. For example, to detect anomalies in the factory in time, the MLnext solutions offer the possibility to evaluate your data through machine learning as well as to make optimizations quickly, easily, and precisely. You will gain an overview of all media, such as air and water. The data analysis based on machine learning offers a variety of advantages compared to manual data analysis. In addition to automated data evaluation, users of this approach can benefit from scalability for entire production processes.

More about anomaly detection

White paper

Start today: Six steps to a sustainable factory

With the data you generate, you already hold the key to a sustainable factory today. In our free guide, find out which simple and concrete measures you can implement to make the first important steps towards a sustainable future.

Request white paper

Data-driven sustainability in practice

Efficiency and sustainability in a brownfield site at the Serum Institute of India

A look at one of the largest vaccine manufacturers, Serum Institute of India, in Pune: Fully digitalized and at the same time secure with time savings of 60% during engineering and implementation.

More about the Serum Institute of India

Phoenix Contact building in Bad Pyrmont, Germany

Factory and building networked in depth

By coupling the factory automation and building technology sectors to an energy pilot controller in production at the Bad Pyrmont location

More about networking factories and buildings

Energy measuring devices in the AUDI AG data center on the IN campus

With an energy management system for optimizing energy consumption: Good quality data is the first step towards high energy efficiency.

More about energy measuring devices in the AUDI AG data center

Your advantages

Reduction of greenhouse gases and fulfillment of directives on environmental targets
Use of additional services on IIoT platforms with the development of field connectivity from OT to IT
Simple and fast transparency of all consumption data from individual production lines and process areas right down to the individual sensor
Data collection without significantly disrupting the production process or losing CE/UL certification with the Data Collection Box