Siemens 2012 Annual Report Download - page 61

59
Schwäbische
Werkzeugmaschinen
Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen (SW) supplies
customers in 29 countries with innovative machining
centers, which are networked with the company’s
headquarters in southwestern Germany via
Siemens’ IT-supported services.
Brazil
Indonesia
Norway
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China
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Siemens’ IT-supported services
Its partnership with Siemens is enabling Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen to
offer services worldwide. “As a highly specialized medium-sized company
with around  employees, we obviously can’t provide local customer support
in every country,” explains Johannes Zuckschwerdt. “But we don’t need to.
Thanks to ePS Network Services, we can support customers in China, the U.S.
and everywhere else directly from our headquarters in Germany.”
Online diagnostic analysis saves time and money – especially in the very rare
cases in which machines break down. In the past when this happened, a spe-
cialist would have to be dispatched to the customer to conduct detailed on-site
diagnostics. Today, things are easier – instead of travelling halfway around
the world, SW experts can analyze failures online. Using log files, causes can
be pinpointed and customers provided with precise instructions for remedying
defects. “This is how we boost reliability for our customers and help them
maintain production around the clock,” notes Zuckschwerdt.
The idea is actually very simple. But putting it into practice required an intensive
exchange of knowledge and a large measure of trust. “Engaging in joint devel-
opment with Siemens, we’ve naturally had to share sensitive data about products
and services,” says Zuckschwerdt. “However, this hasn’t been a problem for us.
We’ve been working with Siemens for a long time. So we’ve built a very close
relationship based on trust. That’s the only way to create inno vative products
that benefit both partners.”
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