The Internet of Things is on the rise. This is especially evident in the automotive industry: Cars read e-mails to us and answer them.
They check the fuel level, calculate the most favorable time to pull in for more gas, and direct us at the right time to the gas station offering the best price or to free parking spaces. They call for help using eCall technology and are thus both a friend in need and an office on wheels at one and the same time. But the connected car doesn't just communicate with its driver, but also with other vehicles, the workshop, the car manufacturer or even the garage at home. Together with innovative partners, Telekom is already allowing us to experience many of these automotive services today and demonstrating what will be possible tomorrow or even the standard.
Clever IT solutions are slowly taking hold in related sectors as well – including the bicycle industry. Working with Canyon, a bicycle manufacturer based in Koblenz, Germany, Telekom has developed a connected bike that makes cycling safer and more convenient: A small communication unit – hidden within the bike's frame – can call for help in an emergency via eCalls, offers protection against theft through its GPS location function and receives information about wear and tear on the bike via sensors. With the help of a smartphone app, the cyclist can keep track of chain or brake-pad wear, order the right parts with a simple click and watch video tutorials on how to install them. The wear-and-tear data is simultaneously transmitted to a cloud platform that can be accessed by the manufacturer, dealer or fleet operator, a function that opens up whole new business opportunities for each of them.
Modern IT improves customer proximity
Manufacturers can use this data to optimize their products and also improve their collaboration with suppliers – for example, order spare parts in good time. The app offers dealers a new, direct service channel to the customer. They can offer spare parts and maintenance services in a targeted manner. And via the cloud platform, bicycle fleet operators always know when it is time for a service.
Another example of industry networking is the partnership with the Port of Hamburg, the destination for up to 40,000 trucks a day. With its state-of-the-art IT, Telekom helps the port's management handle the growing flow of goods more efficiently, for example, by rerouting trucks when traffic jams or waiting times in loading and unloading zones are beginning to form. With the agricultural machinery manufacture Claas, Telekom has connected tractors and combine harvesters to optimize harvesting processes. Using the LTE network, the smart combine harvester sends for the tractors pulling the trucks when the grain store is full. The combine harvester also collects weather data and evaluates it: When there's the threat of rain during harvesting, the system will suggest to the farmer that maximum speed instead of minimum fuel consumption is called for.
Win with partners
In addition to the IT infrastructure, digital growth fields, be it energy, health, the automotive or bicycle industry, need also networks and industry-related knowledge about the product. This is what makes partnerships a central aspect of Deutsche Telekom's Group strategy. When it comes to M2M and Industry 4.0, Telekom sees itself as a trusted partner for telematics services: with the best network, years of networking experience, the highest security standards and an extensive cloud infrastructure. Based on standardized platforms, Telekom offers solutions for all industries; an ecosystem for manufacturers, logistics partners and users.
Find out more about connected industries in our Industrie4.0 Special.