Category: Manufacturing

SAP Research Future Factory Initiative

Dresden, Germany

SAP Research Future Factory Initiative Lab, in Dresden, Germany

Challenges

  • Need for real-world manufacturing process visualization in distributed environments with multiple manufacturers
  • Requirement for 64-bit, web-enabled HMI/SCADA integration across entire product value chain operations
  • Demand for compelling 3D graphic visualization to demonstrate business processes effectively

Results

  • Successfully deployed GENESIS64 suite providing 360° organizational view with 3D animation capabilities
  • Created effective testbed spanning multiple manufacturers demonstrating prototype viability in real scenarios
  • Achieved "outstanding quality" software solution earning recognition as "best of breed" in visualization

“GENESIS is one of the best of the breed that I have seen in visualization.”

— Dr. Jochen Rode, P.h.D., Project Lead | SAP Research, CEC Dresden, SAP AG

About The Future Factory Initiative

The Future Factory Initiative (FFI) is a joint effort of SAP Research and external partner organizations, including Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions. It is active in three key areas:

  • Living Lab
  • Real-World Manufacturing Testbed
  • Center of Excellence

Located in SAP Research’s Dresden, Germany, Campus-based Education Center (CEC), the Future Factory Initiative is a set of innovative demonstrators showing the potential of real-world-integrated business processes in the manufacturing domain.

Currently, six demonstrations are available, covering the whole product value chain:

  • Supply chain
  • Warehouse
  • Production
  • Sales
  • Maintenance processes

The “Future Factory” has recently been showcased at various locations and events, including CeBIT shows, and the Dresden Lab itself is designed to “facilitate research and development in a living lab environment, providing an infrastructure for test, validation, and demonstration.”

“GENESIS is one of the best of the breed that I have seen in visualization.”

— Dr. Jochen Rode, P.h.D., Project Lead | SAP Research, CEC Dresden, SAP AG
GENESIS 3D Rendering of the Future Factory Lab GENESIS 3D Rendering of the Future Factory Lab

Software Deployed

GENESIS64™ 64-bit, OPC-integrated, Web-enabled HMI/SCADA suite is currently utilized by SAP Research at the Future Factory Initiative.

GENESIS64 provides customers with a 360° view of their entire organization, providing users with the power to quickly and efficiently add 3D symbols and animation to graphic visualizations of business processes and bring them to life.

GENESIS 3D Rendering of the Future Factory Lab GENESIS 3D Rendering of the Future Factory Lab
Introduction to Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' Video Presentation on its Participation in the Future Factory Initiative Introduction to Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' Video Presentation on its Participation in the Future Factory Initiative

Project Summary

Researchers at SAP Research’s CEC Dresden location have tested Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions’ “next generation of automation software” in conditions designed to be as close to real-world as possible. They have remarked on the outstanding quality of this latest GENESIS software solution.

SAP Research notes that such a testbed helps to show “leading edge software and the latest hardware developments with different scenarios, products, and prototypes in a distributed manufacturing environment.” In addition, the testbed “spans multiple manufacturers and demonstrates the viability of prototypes.”

Introduction to Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' Video Presentation on its Participation in the Future Factory Initiative Introduction to Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' Video Presentation on its Participation in the Future Factory Initiative
Close-up within Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' 3D Representation of the Future Factory Lab Close-up within Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' 3D Representation of the Future Factory Lab

About SAP

SAP is the world’s leading provider of business software. Today, more than 46,100 customers in over 120 countries run SAP® solutions—ranging from products tailored to small and midsize businesses to full suite offerings for global enterprises.

Powered by the SAP NetWeaver® technology platform, SAP solutions drive innovation and enable business change. They help organizations of all sizes improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration, and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations.

SAP’s solution portfolios support the unique business processes of more than 25 industries, including:

  • High tech
  • Retail
  • Financial services
  • Healthcare
  • Public sector

With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, SAP is listed on multiple exchanges, including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “SAP.”

Close-up within Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' 3D Representation of the Future Factory Lab Close-up within Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' 3D Representation of the Future Factory Lab

Solutions Highlighted

GENESIS is Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions’ Web-enabled, OPC-integrated HMI/SCADA suite. The new software takes maximum advantage of the convergence of 64-bit computing machinery, new Microsoft operating systems with modern technology, and the increasing demand for captivating 3D graphic visualization of today’s business processes. The “Next Generation of Automation Software” is here.