IoT analytics platform with Azure at Bühler AG - for global efficiency and sustainability

IoT analytics platform with Azure at Bühler AG – for global efficiency and sustainability Home / IoT analytics platform with Azure at Bühler AG – for global efficiency and sustainability The project at a glance Up to 48% less downtime Data-driven optimisations help to significantly reduce unplanned downtime. Real-time analysis of millions of data points Azure Data Explorer processes telemetry data from connected machines in real time and makes it available for analysis. Sustainability target: a 50% reduction by 2025 Bühler aims to reduce its global consumption of waste, energy and water by 50 %. Industry: Manufacturing / Food & Mobility sector Client: Bühler AG Technology / Product: Azure IoT Edge, Azure Data Explorer, Microservices & APIs (Including: Kusto Query Language, Python support, user dashboards) Project description The challenge Bühler is pursuing the ambitious goal of reducing resource consumption (waste, energy, water) by 50 %. Globally, by 2025. To achieve this, machines worldwide needed to be connected, operational data analysed in real time, and individual optimisation strategies made visible. Crucially, the platform needed to be scalable, maintainable and understandable for a wide range of user roles. Solution: Implementation In collaboration with Microsoft, Bühler developed a modern IoT platform: Bühler Insights. The solution is based on Azure IoT Edge for data collection directly at the machine. The data streams (millions of telemetry data points) are analysed in Azure Data Explorer. Visualisation and benchmarking are carried out via role-based dashboards, supplemented by flexible APIs and script access via KQL and Python. The platform has a modular design and can be quickly adapted to new customer scenarios using microservices. „With Azure Data Explorer, we were able to focus on adding value rather than managing infrastructure.“ Cédric Menzi, Solution Architect, Bühler Insights Result / Impact How the problem was solved Bühler was able to achieve measurable results with the new IoT analytics platform: ✔️ Up to 48 % less downtime ✔️ 49 % fewer faults, 18 % lower energy consumption ✔️ 16 % higher productivity The platform now comprises over 50 digital services and is ready for global roll-outs. The focus on sustainability, combined with technical excellence and modern data analysis, makes Bühler a pioneer in data-driven Industry 4.0. Recommendation: Customers were also interested in using data analytics to analyse production data and identify opportunities for efficiency gains. Find out more: Evaluate the right solution for international manufacturing processes in the ERP orientation workshop. Find out more: Carry out precise analyses using secure AI solutions on Azure – compliant with data protection regulations and scalable. Find out more: The best choice for data-driven production: With Azure & Bühler Insights, Bühler reduces resource consumption – efficiently, scalably and with a view to the future.

Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG digitalises its sales with easySales

Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG is digitising its sales operations with easySales Home / Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG is digitising its sales operations with easySales The project at a glance Paperless Digital processes are replacing handwritten procedures throughout the entire sales organisation. Error reduction: Structured app-based processes and automated data transfer significantly reduce the error rate. Increased efficiency Staff access data on the go – for faster workflows and better customer service. Sector Food industry / FMCG Client Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG Technology / Product easySales app, central backend portal, ERP integration, reporting & analytics © Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG Project description The challenge Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG wanted to digitise its sales processes to eliminate manual paperwork and reduce sources of error. The aim: paperless processing – from delivery to cash-on-delivery invoicing – as well as the integration of customer-specific attributes for a better overview of the product range and traceability of past sales. © Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG Solution Implementation collana solutions AG developed a mobile application for Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG based on the easySales solution. This enables sales staff to access customer data on the go, map sales processes directly and utilise reports or analytics in real time. A central backend enables integration with ERP and logistics systems, as well as electronic dispatch systems, to create a fully digital process chain. „To meet market demands, we have digitised our processes along the value chain. The use of our app has generated a great deal of enthusiasm among both customers and staff. We have no intention of giving up this solution.“ Thomas Jäggi, Sales Manager, Fresh Service, Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG © Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG Result / Impact How the problem was solved Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG has successfully digitised its sales processes. Errors caused by handwritten notes are now a thing of the past. The app simplifies sales support in the field and ensures smoother processes from ordering to invoicing. The result: less effort, better data, and more satisfied customers. Recommendation Customers were also interested in Use the Digitalisation Check to assess where your business stands digitally – and how you can move forward. Find out more In the ERP workshop, gain clarity on your requirements and find the right solution. Find out more With bespoke development, go beyond where the standard solution reaches its limits. Find out more The best choice for paperless sales processes Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG shows how it’s done – now it’s your turn.

maintool

Maintenance software that prevents downtime Integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Request a live demo Book a consultation Home Key Facts Comparison Case Studies Pricing Technology used FAQs maintool – Maintenance software When maintenance is carried out on an ad hoc basis, you end up paying more A piece of equipment has come to a standstill. The technician searches through a file folder for the latest maintenance log. The Excel spreadsheet from the shift supervisor is three weeks old. Nobody knows exactly when the spare part was last ordered. Maintenance is still planned manually: in Excel spreadsheets, on paper or on an ad hoc basis. collana maintool plans automatically. Maintenance intervals, notifications and responsibilities are managed digitally and reliably. Plant downtime leads to unplanned costs and production losses. collana maintool detects faults at an early stage and significantly reduces downtime. Documentation takes time, is a source of frustration and is rarely complete when it’s needed. collana maintool documents automatically, comprehensively and makes records accessible at any time. Sound familiar? Maintenance on an ad hoc basis is expensive. Unplanned downtime has a direct impact on production, delivery reliability and profit margins. A proliferation of Excel spreadsheets, incomplete documentation and a lack of real-time insight into plant condition become a burden during every audit. They also pose a risk during every audit under ISO 9001, GMP or MDR. Modern maintenance software solves precisely that. That’s why you can trust us Key Facts 6-time Microsoft Solutions Partner 40+ years of maintenance know-5% Increase machine utilisation 1,000+ customers in the collana Group Target audience: SMEs and large enterprises Markets: International Technological basis: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with extensions in AL Constant maintenance lists, unexpected downtime, lack of transparency? That’s exactly what collana maintool was developed for. The app extends Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with digital maintenance functions – from planning through to execution and documentation. maintool is used by medium-sized and large industrial companies that want to ensure their asset availability and automate processes. If you want to manage your maintenance centrally and actively prevent downtime: collana maintool is ready. Get a free consultation now Download now from AppSource collana maintool vs. traditional maintenance The biggest difference between collana maintool and traditional maintenance management lies in its full integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Many processes that would otherwise be carried out manually or via external tools are automated and managed centrally within the ERP system. Here is an overview: collana maintool Manual maintenance Automated maintenance planning Digital documentation and history Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Mobile use and cloud access Real-time transparency across all assets What maintenance software does – explained briefly Maintenance software is a digital platform for the planning, control and documentation of all maintenance, inspection and repair processes for machinery and plant. It combines asset registers, order processing, spare parts management and KPI reporting in a single system – making it the operational backbone of modern maintenance. Three variants are distinguished in the market: Variant Focus Strength Weakness CMMS (Standalone) Pure maintenance management Quick to get up and running Stand-alone solution, separate data master EAM Asset lifecycle, often with financial data Comprehensive overview of assets Dedicated platform, integration effort required ERP-integrated (collana maintool) Maintenance within the ERP data model A single database: maintenance, procurement, finance, warehousing Prerequisite: ERP strategy based on Dynamics 365 Anyone wishing to rely on a consistent data environment in the long term cannot avoid the ERP-integrated approach. See maintool Live’s results: measurable ROI We do not measure maintenance software by its features, but by key performance indicators, measurable efficiency and process improvements. In our clients„ projects – and in cross-sector studies – we see consistent results: up to 30–50 % fewer unplanned downtimes through preventive and condition-based maintenance. (McKinsey, “Manufacturing’s Next Act”) Up to 25 % reduction in spare parts stock whilst simultaneously increasing equipment availability, as criticality and consumption become transparent. Audit compliance for ISO 9001, GMP (pharmaceuticals) and MDR (medical technology). Maintenance history, calibrations and approvals are documented in an audit-proof manner. Longer equipment service life and reduced follow-up costs through consistent root cause analysis rather than merely addressing symptoms; at the same time, maintenance costs can be reduced by 10–30 %. (McKinsey) Faster order processing with shorter lead times thanks to digital planning and tracking. Reduced workload for management: automated workflows and centralised documentation significantly reduce administrative effort; case studies estimate time savings of several hours per technician per week. We’ll provide specific recommendations for your setup during a 30-minute preliminary consultation. Features that make a difference in day-to-day operations: we group features by benefit, not by module: Automated maintenance planning – preventive, reactive and condition-based, with a drag-and-drop planning board, shift models and a reminder function for maintenance appointments. Mobile and offline order processing for technicians in the field. Work order details, instructions and checklists are available even if the cleanroom has no Wi-Fi reception. Technicians can report faults directly on site. Asset register with QR and RFID identification. Scan the asset, view its history, start the work order. QR codes provide a clear overview in a matter of seconds. Spare parts and stock management directly within the ERP system. No duplicate data records, no data transfer errors. The spare parts control function monitors stock levels and initiates reorders to ensure an up-to-date overview. Condition-based maintenance and monitoring. Equipment conditions are monitored, failures are detected at an early stage and downtime is significantly reduced. Tailored to your sector. Maintenance is sector-specific. So is our solution. Production and manufacturing: GMP-compliant documentation, condition-based maintenance, OEE transparency across plant boundaries. In the context of Industry 4.0, industrial demands for networked maintenance, transparent data flows and the digital management of complex plant technology are increasing. Particularly relevant for mechanical engineering and the pharmaceutical sector. Further details under Production & Manufacturing. Healthcare Switzerland – Medical Technology Maintenance: collana maintool documents the maintenance of medical devices comprehensively and in an audit-proof manner – meeting the requirements of MepV (Switzerland) and MDR (EU), including calibration and safety certificates. For hospitals, care centres and outpatient services, complemented by the collana Group’s healthcare expertise in Switzerland. Find out more under Healthcare. Retail and Logistics With collana maintool, you can keep warehousing, conveyor and order-picking systems running without downtime, even during peak periods – as demonstrated in the facility environment at BER Airport. Case Studies: collana maintool in practice collana maintool is a solution that has been established in the market for over 35 years and is trusted by many renowned customers across various sectors, from chemicals to logistics. Discover how smart maintenance works in practice in our case studies. Digital maintenance with maintool… Digital maintenance with maintool at Berlin Brand Airport… Read more Efficient maintenance with maintool… Efficient maintenance with collana maintool at IOI Oleo St… Read more Digital maintenance with maintool… Digital maintenance with collana maintool at GSB Bayern St… Read more Why Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the best foundation A stand-alone solution may seem effective at first, but it proves costly in the long run. That is why we base our maintenance directly on the ERP data model: a single database rather than data silos. Maintenance, procurement, finance and warehousing all work from the same data master. The centralised management of data, documents and asset objects within a shared structure ensures that information is consistent and readily accessible. Spare parts orders are triggered directly from the work order, costs are allocated to specific assets, and

collana fresh

collana fresh The ERP system for fresh produce logistics & the food industry Let’s embark on the future together Home Key Facts Comparison Case Studies Target Audience Technology Used FAQs collana fresh A solution for many challenges Short shelf lives and fluctuating purchase prices make planning and margin control difficult. collana fresh calculates prices and quantities dynamically and uses real-time data to enable cost-effective decisions throughout the supply chain. Batch traceability is complex and often incomplete. With collana fresh, you can keep track of every batch and every best-before date – from goods receipt to dispatch, documented in an audit-proof manner. Quality checks, order picking and route planning currently run separately. collana fresh integrates quality assurance, warehousing and logistics into a single system – ensuring smooth operations and minimising wastage. Why you can trust us Key Facts 3x Microsoft Solutions Partner 360° control over freshness & quality 100% traceability 1 system for all processes Target audience SMEs to large enterprises Markets Germany, Austria, Switzerland Technological basis Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with extensions in AL With collana fresh, you can centrally manage all processes in your fresh produce business – from purchasing and production through to quality assurance and sales. The solution is based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and covers all industry-specific requirements of the food sector. Whether fruit, vegetables, dairy products or meat products – collana fresh ensures seamless traceability, dynamic pricing and efficient logistics processes. Get a no-obligation consultation now. Get more out of Microsoft Business Central with collana fresh The biggest difference between collana fresh and the standard Microsoft version lies in the features explicitly tailored to the food industry, which cannot be implemented via Business Central at all, or only with a great deal of manual effort. Here is an overview: Microsoft Business Central SAP S/4HANA Comprehensive ERP solution for the food industry, retail and fresh produce logistics Batch and best-before date management with full traceability Dynamic pricingand quantity control for purchasing and sales Integrated quality management with inspection plans and control points Efficient route planning and delivery logistics – digital and flexible These customers rely on our solutions See our case studies Best Choice for Switzerland Our target audience We speak the language of the Swiss food industry. Our clients are organisations that want to use digitalisation to seamlessly integrate processes, avoid data silos and achieve sustainable cost reductions. Our expertise lies in the integration of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, tailored to the requirements of the food industry. Technology used Tech stack Platform & base Programming language Cloud & infrastructure Integration & interfaces Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – ERP platform for production, retail and logistics in the fresh produce sector AL: Programming language for Dynamics 365 Business Central C/AL: Older ERP language for legacy objects C#: Language for custom .NET development Microsoft Azure: Cloud hosting, security and scalability Docker / Kubernetes: containers & deployment in ERP environments REST APIs: modern ERP interfaces for third-party software EDI / EDIFACT: digital data exchange with trading partners SOAP: legacy interface for older systems ZUGFeRD / XML / CSV Standardised formats for invoices and delivery notes Power BI Reports on goods receipt, quality and yield Excel interface Simple export and data analysis Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP platform for production, retail and logistics in the fresh produce sector AL Programming language for Dynamics 365 Business Central C/AL Older ERP language for legacy objects C# Language for custom .NET development Microsoft Azure Cloud hosting, security and scalability Docker / Kubernetes: containers & deployment in ERP environments REST APIs: modern ERP interfaces for third-party software EDI / EDIFACT: digital data exchange with trading partners SOAP: legacy interface for older systems ZUGFeRD / XML / CSV Standardised formats for invoices and delivery notes Power BI Reports on goods receipt, quality and yield Excel interface Easy export and data analysis Recommendation Customers were also interested in With collana maintool, companies make their maintenance more efficient and reduce downtime. Find out more Have your infrastructure and security processes assessed with the IT Security Assessment. Find out more Use Data Analytics to uncover the treasures hidden in your own data and utilise them profitably. Find out more Questions about collana fresh FAQs Which companies is collana fresh suitable for? collana fresh is aimed at companies in the food industry, fresh produce logistics, as well as retailers and producers of perishable goods. The solution supports organisations with complex goods flows where shelf life, quality and transparency play a central role. How does collana fresh support food traceability? collana fresh automatically documents batch numbers and best-before dates (MHD) across all process steps. From goods receipt through storage and processing to delivery, the movement of goods can be traced seamlessly. This increases transparency and supports food safety. Does collana fresh support statutory food safety requirements? Yes. collana fresh complies with the relevant statutory requirements of the food industry. These include, amongst other things, requirements regarding traceability, documentation, and testing and verification obligations in accordance with EU and Swiss directives. Can collana fresh be integrated into existing IT systems? Yes. collana fresh can be connected to existing systems via modern REST and EDI interfaces, for example to logistics, quality management or retail systems. This allows the solution to be integrated into existing IT environments. Best Choice for ERP in the food industry