Tokyo, Japan - March 26, 2020
Hitachi Capital Corporation
Yokogawa Electric Corporation
amnimo Inc.
On March 25, 2020, Hitachi Capital Corporation, Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841), and amnimo Inc., a subsidiary of Yokogawa, entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement with an aim to provide new services by adding Industrial IoT ("IIoT") to each company's technologies, know-how, and lease equipment.
The three companies will launch a proof of concept ("PoC") to realize services that solve customers' issues and meet their needs.
Overview of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement
In recent years, the advancement of network technology and reduction in cost of large-volume data transmission have improved the IIoT environment in manufacturing, accelerating efforts to improve productivity and add value to services. On the other hand, there are big obstacles to the further spread of IIoT such as the difficulty of guaranteeing its effectiveness and the shortage of personnel with necessary expertise within the organizations.
In light of such circumstances, Hitachi Capital, Yokogawa, and amnimo entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement with an aim to satisfy customers' needs with comprehensive services ranging from the visualization of on-site issues to the proposal and implementation of appropriate IIoT devices, consultation based on analysis results, and finance. By combining lease equipment offered by Hitachi Capital with data measurement IIoT services by amnimo, the companies will provide high value-added services such as the measurement of operating status data and offering consultation on the efficient use of equipment. They will offer comprehensive and flexible proposals to customers in a wide range of industries by taking advantage of the strengths of each company: the finance function using Hitachi Capital's product knowledge, the highly reliable IIoT architecture offered by Yokogawa, and amnimo's proposal capability regarding IIoT solutions that do not limit the manufacturer. Hitachi Capital will offer consulting services using the measurement data, and amnimo will provide an operating environment that integrates the device and cloud domains as well as manage and use data obtained through the devices.
The three companies will launch a PoC for the services on March 26, 2020, whereby amnimo's IIoT devices will be installed on Hitachi Capital's lease assets in the manufacturing sectors, etc. to visualize operating status of the lease assets and verify the effectiveness of the services using them. Furthermore, in terms of data analysis, the companies are also planning to work with other partners including the Hitachi Group, depending on customers' issues or the type of data obtained. The companies aim to commence a full-scale service by the end of FY2020 and are also considering the overseas expansion of the services.
Hitachi Capital, Yokogawa, and amnimo will be committed to solving customers' issues through the usage of obtained data, such as the operating status of lease equipment, and the provision of related consulting services.
Overview of the PoC
The aim is to contribute to solving customers' issues by installing amnimo's devices on lease equipment offered by Hitachi Capital and then visualizing its operating status and environmental information. Specific examples of the PoC are as follows:
- Count the number of viewers and monitor people flow by installing a dynamic monitoring sensor on digital signage. Use the analysis results to support customers' marketing activities.
- Install an IIoT device on an injection molding machine* to monitor the mold temperature. Analyze such as the correlation between the temperature and production volume and use the results to support customers to improve productivity.
*A machine for manufacturing plastic products
Overview of Each Company
Hitachi Capital Corporation
With our mission to be as "Social Values Creating Company," Hitachi Capital aims at both solving social issues based on SDGs on a global basis and achieving sustainable growth. Under "FY2019-FY2021 Mid-Term Management Plan," the Company sets "Environment/Energy," "Mobility," "Life" and "Sales Finance" as key businesses and contributes to solving social issues in these sectors through finance, service, and commercialization as well as new social values combining them. Please refer to Hitachi Capital's website for details (https://www.hitachi-capital.co.jp/hcc/english/index.html)
Yokogawa Electric Corporation
Founded in 1915, Yokogawa engages in broad-ranging activities in the areas of measurement, control, and information. The industrial automation business provides vital products, services, and solutions to a diverse range of process industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, and pulp and paper. With the life innovation business, the company aims to radically improve productivity across the pharmaceutical and food industry value chains. The test & measurement, aviation, and other businesses continue to provide essential instruments and equipment with industry-leading precision and reliability. Yokogawa co-innovates with its customers through a global network of 113 companies spanning 60 countries, generating US$3.6 billion in sales in FY2018. For more information, please visit www.yokogawa.com.
amnimo Inc.
amnimo was formed as a solely owned subsidiary of Yokogawa Electric Corporation as a new business to provide Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) services in May 2018. With an excellent mobility, amnimo makes a swift decision and develops its business in a rapidly changing market. amnimo strengthens collaboration with customers and partner companies in various fields and countries to create new shared values by leveraging IIoT technologies. To learn more, please visit https://amnimo.com/en/
The names of corporations, organizations, products and services herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hitachi Capital Corporation, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, amnimo Inc., or their respective holders.