Astec Solutions attended GE Digital’s Minds + Machines annual European event last week to find out the latest on how industrial internet solutions from GE are transforming the way people and machines interact. Industry leaders from across Europe and GE executives gathered at the stylish Cité de la mode et du design venue at Les Docks, Paris for the day-long forum.
Hosted by GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt, delegates were guided on digital strategy within the evolving industrial landscape, with a focus on decision-making for asset optimisation, risk mitigation and safety compliance. With the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) still in early adoption, GE is establishing new digital industrial applications and solutions to help European manufacturers unlock the full potential of their data and analytics, to gain richer insight, drive efficiency and accelerate productivity. To demonstrate how the IIoT has moved on from vision to a practical reality, GE referred to their partnership with Intel. After working together on an IIoT deployment that achieved a 24.1% reduction in energy use, the combination of GE’s process expertise with Intel’s computing and security technologies resulted in the creation of Predix, GE’s new cloud-based platform.
Astec Technical Director, Chris Barlow says,
“It was a great opportunity to network with leaders across the multiple industrial sectors we serve. As Premier Solutions Partner for GE, it is interesting to observe how industry is responding to the new technological innovations, and understand how they facilitate operational improvements and business value for our customers. As confidence grows in the use of digital cloud-based platforms, so does the opportunity for leaner, more efficient production.”
The event followed GE Digital’s Foundry Inauguration, a glitzy cocktail reception held on Monday evening. One of the keynote speakers on the night, French Economy and Industry Minister Emmanuel Macron, spoke of GE’s recent acquisition of the French multinational Alstom’s energy business, which promises to bring new complementary technologies and products to market, and provide a global footprint from which to grow their service franchise.
Astec were the first Premier Solution Partner (PSP) in the UK for GE Fanuc, latterly GE Intelligent Platforms and GE Digital. While Astec remains vendor agnostic, the company’s in-depth knowledge of GE products allows GE-centric solutions to be provided which exceed customer requirements, and fully maximise the use of existing product features and functionality. Solutions are engineered using product-based configuration and minimal customisation. Astec also provides engineering services to GE’s Global Professional Services team, working in a wide sphere of end-user markets and domains.