A seamless fit for data analytics at Knorr-Bremse
Knorr-Bremse Group, a Munich-based manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, has implemented an analytics solution to foster intelligent fleet management and condition-based maintenance.
The solution, OpenText Analytics, will allow customers to make predictive, data-driven decisions for more efficient and cost-effective repairs. It will be embedded in Knorr-Bremse’s iCOM (intelligent Condition Oriented Maintenance) platform, which brings digitization to the rail business, connecting wireless-enabled sensors aboard trains to a back-office, cloud-based network, using an Internet of Things model. The platform, which transmits detailed data that can help predict repair and replacement needs, required a powerful and user-friendly analytics component to enable analysis of the data.
Martin Steffens, project manager and software architect at Knorr-Bremse, says, “Our customers wanted the ability to perform greater analysis of their data. With data being continually collected, the volumes across a fleet are significant. Customers wanted the ability to visualize the data through interactive graphical dashboards, reducing the reliance on IT to create new reports. OpenText Analytics provided the perfect fit to embed into iCOM.”
Knorr-Bremse chose the solution because of its built-in graphical design studio, dashboard capabilities, speed of development and usability, OpenText reports. The modular architecture provided seamless embedding within the iCOM platform, saving valuable development time and providing quicker time-to-value for Knorr-Bremse, OpenText adds.
Dirk Seckler, global head of sales at Knorr-Bremse, says, “Our customers can now analyze their data to understand why, when and even where something happens. For example, using OpenText Analytics, we can provide heat maps of condition-based events, such as overheating brakes on a specific incline. This helps our customers put measures in place to reduce component failures, extending component life and ultimately saving money.”
The OpenText Analytics platform offers a customer-centric overview that supports all iCOM's central maintenance processes and is flexible enough for both on-premises and cloud deployments, according to OpenText. On-board sensors report data on factors such as steering systems, energy consumption and air supplies, and deliver information to users on areas such as maintenance cycles, materials requirements and running costs. Users can access optimized standard reports or run ad hoc queries to best suit their needs in a self-service environment, the company adds.