AkzoNobel: Enhancing Factory Performance with IIoT and Azure
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Applicable Industries
- Equipment & Machinery
- Telecommunications
Use Cases
- Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
- Track & Trace of Assets
Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
AkzoNobel is a Dutch paint and coatings leader that operates in more than 100 countries. The company is known for its products such as Dulux and Polyfilla. It has a corporate size with over 10,000 employees. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands and has factories in various locations, including Como, Italy. AkzoNobel is committed to improving its processes and gaining more control over its operations. The company is also focused on digital transformation and is keen on harnessing digital technologies to reshape the way it operates globally.
The Challenge
AkzoNobel, a Dutch paint and coatings leader, was facing challenges in improving the performance and productivity of its factory in Como, Italy. The company was using traditional methods of monitoring the performance of the machines involved in creating the powder coatings, which involved manual data recording with pen and paper every 15 minutes. This method was not only time-consuming but also inefficient in providing real-time data. The company also faced resistance from its factory floor operators, especially the older ones, who were apprehensive about the introduction of new technology and the changes it would bring to their work methods. The company needed a solution that would not only improve its data collection and analysis but also be user-friendly for its operators of all ages.
The Solution
AkzoNobel implemented Azure IoT technology to digitally capture data in real time. The company introduced a Digital Performance Portal solution using Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Microsoft Azure. This solution was designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of technical expertise. The company also adopted a cloud-first strategy and chose Azure as its go-to platform. The IIoT solution on the Azure platform allowed the company to compare the performance of machines not just within a single factory, but also at different factories and sites around the world instantly. This provided the company with a complete picture of its operations, enabling it to identify areas for performance gains across multiple levels of the business. The company also plans to apply advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to harness its data globally in more advanced ways.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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