APC 2015 Annual Report Download - page 33

2015 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 31
OVERVIEW OF THE GROUP’S STRATEGY, MARKETS AND BUSINESSES
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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
edge computing offerings includes working with major IT players
to develop packaged « micro data centers » that can be installed
in just a few hours on a site, will « discover » their environment
and self-confi gure, pulling functionality from Schneider Electric’s
cloud platform. Such micro data centers will be a key component
of the converged IT/OT industrial architectures that combine a
large network of smart on-site devices with powerful cloud based
analytics. The fi rst version of this micro data center, developed with
CISCO for traditional business applications is already commercially
available.
5.3 Improving the efficiency of R&D
While the deployment of technology platforms has allowed
reductions in both cost and lead time of bringing new products to
market, this new complexity requires an upgrade of development
methods and tools. Schneider Electric’s NextGen PLM program
optimizes its Information Systems with a redefi ned architecture, data
model, and tools for an end-to-end data fl ow. This will also reduce
the risk of aging and obsolete Product Information Management
Systems. The Group’s pragmatic building block approach to PLM
will be driven by building a strong data IT platform followed by
incremental improvements based upon the identifi cation of key
capabilities; the choice of suitable solutions; and setting a feasible
path to deliver the maximum impact on performance and costs in
the shortest time.
The Group also builds Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
framework including processes, tools and data models for
Schneider Electric. This MBSE framework enables the application
of advanced modeling techniques throughout systems engineering
stages to represent and test dynamic and static properties of
a system. Starting with customer requirements expressed by
marketing, a model of the product and/or system is developed. This
model can be used to generate mockups that can be validated and
can evolve with customers before any R&D is committed.
The validated model then becomes the reference from which the
mechanics , electronics and software design team can work in
parallel. From the model, engineers can query libraries of reusable
components, developed on the technology platforms now common
to all businesses, thus accelerating projects while reducing risks.
Successive versions are tested against the model, and again
with customers, ensuring that fi nal integration and testing will go
smoothly.
Initial pilots have confi rmed the potential of MBSE and full
deployment started mid-2014, with the expectation that every
program will apply this method by 2016.
5.4 Growth through Innovation
This year the Group have embraced several ideas to grow its
business through innovation so that we can operate like startup
companies but scale like a global company. This program consists
of the following principles:
•Spending more time with customers at every stage
•Managers are entrepreneurs, their teams are trained, dedicated,
accountable
•Speed up innovation by practicing Open Innovation with
universities, start-up companies, supplier , and customers
•Faster with time-boxed projects and empowered teams
•R&D investments to be selective, focused on the best growth
opportunities, and sliced in to small projects
•Collaborating, platforming, and using the best tools to out-
innovate the competition on technology
•Manufacturing and sales ‘engines’ turn innovation into growth
•As a result SE’s innovative and patented offers are fi rst to market
To leverage the Growth by Innovation Program and boost our core
business, we are setting the best practices in the Customer’s Voice
Process, in Lean Innovation and in applying a Start-up model for
disruptive offers.
Furthermore , we have stepped up our Open Innovation deployment
with our eco-system (Universities; Start-ups and Venture Capitals;
Customers and Suppliers) through incubating new businesses. We
are practicing Open Innovation with startup companies such as
OhmConnect, KGS, Autogrid, C3 Energy, VPS, and others. We are
working with universities such as MIT, NC State University, Georgia
Tech, Paris Tech, Uppsala University and the University of Grenoble
Alpes.