SKF, Gothenburg, Sweden, reports that it is continuing to invest in "smartifying" its maintenance service offering, production, and sales processes. As part of the investments, field maintenance engineers, production workers, and SKF sales force members in selected regions will be trained and equipped with smart devices with tailored-made software developed by SKF’s own connectivity team. 

 

Integrating SKF’s condition monitoring technologies into mobile devices supports the Group’s focus on asset life cycle management. By providing access to real-time machine performance data in a user-friendly format, customers and maintenance engineers are now better able to make informed decisions regarding maintenance activities and increase machine efficiency.

 

Bringing smart devices with production and maintenance apps into SKF’s factories will enable a better, faster, and more accurate collection of data and ensure a more collaborative and efficient way of working. Apps that provide warnings and early fault detections in real-time and access to machine calibration routines will help minimize downtime and give operators the tools they need to solve issues instantly.

 

"This is one of the most interesting times to be in the industrial arena. We are truly going through an industrial renaissance. Smart devices have helped us see the SKF world with new eyes and allows us to introduce a whole new way of working to what could be seen as a more traditional type of industry", said Tom Johnstone, SKF president and CEO.

 

Commenting on what these developments mean for the industry, he says that "embracing industrial connectivity is opening up new markets for us. It’s helping us to deliver more value to our customers and increase our revenues. We will continue to embed this technology into our way of working. Technology developers and legislators have a role to play as well, in device development and nurturing industrial activity as a whole. Together, we will be able to increase competitiveness, quality, productivity, and growth, unlocking the next industrial revolution."    

 

SKF has already developed more than 35 internal and external apps, with more than 300,000 downloads. These range from apps that help make field engineers up to 12% more efficient in their work—giving them more time to spend with customers—to bearing calculation and alignment apps that provide direct value to our SKF customers by improving their own productivity.