Microsoft Azure (Microsoft) Case Studies AkzoNobel: Enhancing Factory Performance with IIoT and Azure

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	AkzoNobel: Enhancing Factory Performance with IIoT and Azure Microsoft Azure (Microsoft)

AkzoNobel: Enhancing Factory Performance with IIoT and Azure

Microsoft Azure (Microsoft)

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
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. Read More
About 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. Read More
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. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

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

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.

About 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.

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.

Impact #1	The implementation of Azure IoT technology and the Digital Performance Portal solution using IIoT and Microsoft Azure has transformed AkzoNobel's operations. The company has been able to maximize its use of data, leading to substantial benefits to operational productivity. The solution has also improved visibility across the company's many sites, helping management understand what is working well in each region and what individual factories need to improve upon. The real-time data capture and analysis have also enabled the company to have control over its operations every second. The company has also been successful in making the system user-friendly, making it accessible to all its operators, regardless of their level of technical expertise. Looking ahead, AkzoNobel plans to build on this digital foundation by applying advanced analytics and AI to harness its data globally in more advanced ways.

Impact #1

The implementation of Azure IoT technology and the Digital Performance Portal solution using IIoT and Microsoft Azure has transformed AkzoNobel's operations. The company has been able to maximize its use of data, leading to substantial benefits to operational productivity. The solution has also improved visibility across the company's many sites, helping management understand what is working well in each region and what individual factories need to improve upon. The real-time data capture and analysis have also enabled the company to have control over its operations every second. The company has also been successful in making the system user-friendly, making it accessible to all its operators, regardless of their level of technical expertise. Looking ahead, AkzoNobel plans to build on this digital foundation by applying advanced analytics and AI to harness its data globally in more advanced ways.

Benefit #1	Real-time data capture and analysis, replacing the previous 15-minute interval manual data recording.
Benefit #2	Ability to compare the performance of machines at different factories and sites around the world instantly.
Benefit #3	Significant cost and productivity savings from implementing an IIoT solution on the Azure platform.

Benefit #1

Real-time data capture and analysis, replacing the previous 15-minute interval manual data recording.

Benefit #2

Ability to compare the performance of machines at different factories and sites around the world instantly.

Benefit #3

Significant cost and productivity savings from implementing an IIoT solution on the Azure platform.

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Overview

AkzoNobel: Enhancing Factory Performance with IIoT and Azure

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit