FUJITSU LIMITED
Fujitsu,
The four companies will combine their experience and know-how in DX, system construction and engineering to create manufacturing platform services that strengthen the supply chain.
DX in manufacturing for a more resilient supply chain
Finding ways to respond flexibly to rapid changes in the global economy, including a dramatic reduction in the working age population in many developed countries, represents an ongoing challenge for the manufacturing industry. To this end, the demand for measures to ensure business continuity throughout the supply chain and to standardize and systemize technologies and skills is gaining increasing importance.
Many on-site production management tasks still rely on manual labor, however, and especially small and medium-sized manufacturers often face barriers to DX adoption, including trouble securing skilled workers and difficulty in calculating the return on investment. There also remain concerns that the local digitization and systematization of individual companies may create organizational silos that hinder overall optimization of the entire supply chain and operations linked to the engineering chain (1).
To address these challenges and to provide a basis for efficient, continuous high-quality manufacturing by using common data and information, Fujitsu,
Moving forward, the four companies aim to provide subscription-type platform services for user lead system implementation, unified business and unified data that combines high-quality manufacturing management processes already in operation with the community infrastructure among users.
1. Features of the platform services
(1) Provision of a one-stop business process from the design department to the manufacturing site
In order to drive the development of the manufacturing industry in the global market, linking the 'value' created in the engineering chain to the frontline manufacturing sites in the supply chain, real-time monitoring at the manufacturing sites and feed-back of information to the design department in a fast manner represent important challenges. To achieve this, businesses need to realize tight data coordination between the design department and the manufacturing shop floor, accurate change control as well as visualization of activities.
Under the name 'Smart-K Project' (2),
Within the
The four parties aim to leverage the high-quality and efficient business processes cultivated through the
(2) Helping users to implement systems and improve their DX Skills
The new platform services aim to provide Fujitsu's system application know-how and contents as a service to enable users to take the lead in the implementation of new systems. It shall further help customers to improve their DX skills to proactively change their operations and continuously improve system operations.
(3) Participatory platform services
In the area of system implementation, current approaches including 'Fit to standard' (4) increasingly aim to reduce the burden on users. While this is an effective method to promote DX and to align business with standard functions, concerns remain that users' requests for system improvements might not be reflected. The new platform services aim to create a new standard by enabling users to share their improvement requests and development priorities.
Business operations after the implementation of new systems, especially the role of engineering in the manufacturing industry represent another highly important factor. To this end, the services aim to enhance the value of the platform by providing engineering services such as master creation support necessary for businesses. To maximize the value of the new platform services, the four companies will work on leveraging data on the platform and linking it with various SaaSs.
Skillnote provides a SaaS-type service that supports human resource development through skills management, qualification management and training planning at manufacturing sites. With Skillnote's support, the companies will contribute to the further development of the platform services and enable users to link skills management with manufacturing execution of the manufacturing site via the new platform services.
2. Roles and responsibilities (including plans)
Fujitsu Construction and operation of platform services
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Provision of business processes
SAPJapan Provision of applications and platforms
Skillnote Provision of skills management, qualification management and training management solutions for manufacturing sites
3. Overview and schedule of the collaboration
Moving forward, the four companies plan to build platform services and develop a variety of support services based on hearings with user companies and various organizations. Starting with
[1]
Engineering chain :
Work centered on the design department in the manufacturing process.
[2]
Smart-K :
Aircraft manufacturing innovation initiative promoted by
[3]
PEO :
'Production Engineering & Operation.' A method of integrating information on engineering departments and production site management in a one-stop manner to quickly respond to changes in the customer market and quality management at production sites to strengthen competitiveness.
[4]
Fit to Standard :
A method of adapting business operations to ERP standard functions without additional add-on development when implementing ERP systems.
[5]
Head office: Ashikaga City,
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