Your Smart Factory
as a Service

FAQ

• What is a Software-as-a-Service solution in manufacturing?

  With software-as-a-service, companies receive a smart factory in the cloud as a complete solution with which they can start the digital transformation without building up their own new IT resources. They create transparency in production, analyze all processes using digitally determined key figures and thus sustainably increase efficiency and productivity. At the same time, they can calculate with reliable fixed costs.

  SaaS is often compared to a pizza restaurant: I sit down at the table in a warm location and am served the finished product at a known fixed price. If, on the other hand, I order a pizza delivery service, I have to set the table myself at home and possibly heat up the dough – that’s PaaS, Platform as a Service. If instead I buy a pizza dough with basic ingredients and have to make everything myself at home, it’s IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service.

• What added value does SaaS offer on the shop floor?

  A SaaS solution for the manufacturing industry provides high-performance software in the cloud that converts all machine signals from the factory into a real-time data model. With it, factory teams can then precisely analyze machine performance states in preconfigured reports on a central dashboard and on all desired computer end devices. This makes the SaaS solution an important tool for modern store floor management.

  In addition, the SaaS concept includes comprehensive service and support, including all maintenance services. Software updates are also available automatically. The functions included can be selected and expanded on a modular basis from predefined SaaS application scenarios. Common features include machine data and production data acquisition (PDC/SDC) as well as important key figures such as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• How long does it take to install a SaaS solution?

  With a SaaS solution, companies can launch their smart factory in just a few days. The hardware required is manageable, usually comprising an I/O controller for machine connectivity and an edge gateway as the central interface between the store floor, the pot floor and the cloud.

  If the software works in the cloud with ready-made templates and standardized components, factory teams can digitally connect a wide variety of machines very quickly and benefit from the advantages of the cloud solution: real-time transparency about the performance of the machines and higher efficiency through precise analyses and standardized reports – the basis for the data-driven continuous improvement process (CIP). The installation can be carried out by the company itself and operation can be started after a few days.

• What effect does a SaaS solution have on corporate finances?

  Companies receive planning security through transparent monthly fixed prices for outsourced IT operations via cloud infrastructure. Companies no longer need to build up their own additional IT resources for both personnel and materials.

  In addition to planning security, there is another advantage of running costs (opex – operational expenditure), particularly in IT matters: companies reduce their risk for one-off investments in hardware and software (capex – capital expenditure). After all, the innovation cycles for IT products are particularly short, and new purchases are usually necessary after a short time.

  In the SaaS concept, there are no upfront investments and no costs for setup, maintenance, repairs and updates. In terms of the balance sheet, ongoing operating costs, unlike investments, can be claimed in full for tax purposes in one accounting period.

• What about the security and stability of a SaaS solution?

  Security and stability of a SaaS operation should be key decision criteria for or against an offering. Access to the cloud must be provided either through a secure VPN tunnel or through a secured Internet protocol based on HTTPS.

  The cloud provider should be able to offer the latest security measures – as is the case with the major cloud providers (hyperscalers) such as Microsoft Azure Cloud .

• How flexible does the company's own IT remain?

  On the one hand, a modern SaaS solution offers companies a turnkey and fast entry into digitization; on the other hand, companies remain flexible in the long term with modular SaaS solutions. If the software in the cloud is based on an integrative IIoT platform equipped with open interfaces and connectors, companies can easily configure and integrate additionally required MES functions and applications at a later date if necessary.