Deutsche Telekom’s IT and cloud services division T-Systems has teamed up with robot maker and automation specialist KUKA to offer a combined Industry 4.0 package for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector.
The pair have compiled a ready-to-go bundle of industrial IoT services, specifically to go with KUKA robots. Targeted at SMEs in manufacturing, the package comprises modular edge hardware, industrial IoT applications, and managed services. Cloud-based compute and storage from T-Systems is also available.
T-Systems said the offer is geared towards getting SMEs “in shape” for the digital transformation, especially after the slow-down and back-to-work impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19). The bundle is presented as a kind of ‘takeaway’ Industry 4.0 package, of hardware and software, which can be scaled for small production cells or entire manufacturing lines.
T-Systems said: “In almost all sectors, many tasks can be reliably automated with the assistance of robots. The right software ensures additional benefits.” The Germany based firm listed “servers, integration, servicing, support, [and] safeguarding”, as part of the deal. It said: “Robots and IT hardware and services become a single unit which can easily be integrated and used efficiently.”
The pair are appealing to systems integrators as potential customers, as well.
Michael Otto, head of sales at KUKA Robotics, said: “Analog robots become smart thanks to digital services. Customers can benefit from a consistent data acquisition and processing. The information can be analyzed and processed in order to prevent or minimize unplanned downtime. This maximizes the availability of the plants. Not only that, production processes and production times are optimized and costs for servicing and maintenance are reduced.”
Frank Strecker, responsible for T-Systems’ cloud business, said: “High-performance IT systems are needed in order to use the full scope of our automation solutions. For many customers, infrastructure and digital services are not their core tasks. T-Systems is now plugging this gap with the right hardware, high-performance IT services, and data security. Together with KUKA, we provide the edge services to ensure secure and exact automation services that are tailor-made for our customers’ requirements.”
