Siemens 2005 Annual Report Download - page 58

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Networking is driving remote services
The remote maintenance segment – along with other
associated support services – is expected to experi-
ence strong growth in the coming years, evolving into
a highly profitable business that is largely independ-
ent of economic cycles. However, remote services
cannot be efficiently implemented unless the
machines and systems involved are able to communi-
cate with one another – via fixed networks, wireless
connections or satellites. Our wireless modules, which
are capable of integrating almost any object into a
network, are driving developments in the area of
wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communica-
tions. In 2003, wireless M2M connections for electri-
cal meters, alarm systems, vending machines, eleva-
tors, gasoline pumps, industrial controls, trains, cars
and trucks numbered slightly less than 20 million. This
figure is expected to increase 15-fold, to over 300 mil-
lion, by 2008.
It’s the data that travels, not the experts
Whether for power plants, heating systems in high-rise
buildings, computed tomography systems in hospitals,
giant dragline excavators for digging oil sand, or elec-
tric locomotives – we are a leading-edge provider of
remote services. It would be hard to find a plant, sys-
tem or piece of equipment for which monitoring and
optimization cannot be implemented remotely. Via
a data line or wireless transmission, specialists at a
distant expert center can monitor operations, just as
if they were on site. Our professionals often detect sys-
tem malfunctions before the customer even notices
them. And remote service is not just about correcting
errors. It is also ideal for performing routine mainte-
nance, software updates and system optimization
based on an evaluation of production data.
Worldwide maintenance network
Our Power business area is responsible for operating
several Remote Expert Centers (RECs). Our REC in
Karlsruhe, Germany, for example, services over 300 in-
strumentation and control systems for power plants
around the world. About half of these systems are
covered under service contracts with the end customer.
The center is staffed by a team of experts – systems
and applications specialists – with experience in sys-
tems development and commissioning. Using remote
tools, these professionals can access installed systems
all the way down to the bit-and-byte level. At the same
time, they have a direct overview of a plant’s entire
operations – as if they were in the control room them-
selves. This enables them to assist a plant’s engineers
with configurations, modifications and, if necessary,
error diagnostics before the plant is commissioned.
Our experts also provide support for on-site techni-
cians responsible for subsequent servicing. In addi-
tion, the Karlsruhe center offers around-the-clock
plant maintenance and modification services for con-
tract customers.
At our Power Diagnostics Centers – located in Orlando,
Florida and Erlangen, Germany – we monitor the oper-
ation of some 190 gas turbines around the world. Our
wide-ranging, efficient implementation of remote
services is built not only on technical expertise but
also on synergy effects – powerful communications
technologies using high bandwidths, extensive sys-
tems networking, and advanced sensors that reliably
capture all operating data.
To further strengthen our remote services offerings,
we are developing a company-wide service platform –
a global information and communications portal that
will provide experts from our various Groups with uni-
form, extremely secure access to the equipment and
systems being serviced.
Fit4MoreLetter to our Shareholders Managing Board