Industrial giant Bosch is extending its industrial internet software portfolio to complement its digital manufacturing offer, and now has 500 associates in Germany, Hungary and China.
Digitalization and connectivity are transforming manufacturing at breakneck speed. The greatest potential in the long term is not only in hardware or device connectivity, but also smart software – the essential enabler of internet of things applications.
As a result, Bosch has made structural changes to increase its software business: at the beginning of January 2018, a new operating unit, Bosch Connected Industry, began operations with 500 associates in Germany, Hungary, and China.
Bosch is pooling all its Industry 4.0 activities in this new unit, including the fields of software and services. “We want to make the most of the potential inherent in connected industry, which means we need to assemble the best possible team,” says Bosch board of management member Dr. Stefan Hartung, whose responsibilities include manufacturing coordinating and, in turn, Industry 4.0.
By 2020, the Bosch Group aims to generate more than a billion euros with Industry 4.0.
Bosch’s Connected Industry unit has a clear objective: to support customers in connecting the value chain from end to end. The portfolio of software allows companies an entry point into the connected factory that is tailored to their needs, from starter kits and retrofit solutions to the complete package.
That means that individual lines can be combined, and factories and plant networks, including their internal and external logistics, interconnected. A variety of apps and software solutions support workers in their daily tasks.
Relevant manufacturing data are more quickly accessible using mobile devices, which ultimately leads to greater machine availability in production. Internal transport processes and flows of goods outside the company can be seamlessly monitored and traced back. Workers are kept permanently informed of the location, condition, and delivery time of goods. The result is increased productivity and agility, which boosts competitiveness.
Dr. Stefan Aßmann is the head of the new operating unit. His previous positions at Bosch include plant manager both in Germany and abroad, and head of internal special-purpose machinery.
