TÜV SÜD and Yokogawa support companies with systematic transformation towards Industry 4.0

22 March 2022

Munich, Germany / Amersfoort, The Netherlands. TÜV SÜD has partnered with Yokogawa Europe B.V. to help companies on the road to Industry 4.0. The two organizations will collaborate on carrying out joint assessments of industrial enterprise transformation efforts using the Smart Industry Readiness Index (S.I.R.I.), which supports dedicated transformation planning and implementation.

With around 25,000 staff in over 50 countries, TÜV SÜD is among the world’s leading providers of testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services. The experts have a broad range of expertise in all aspects of the manufacturing industry and around the topic of process optimization. This ensures that all relevant dimensions are considered completely and precisely.

A major provider of industrial automation and control solutions, Yokogawa combines superior technology with engineering services, project management, and maintenance to deliver field proven operational efficiency, safety, quality, and reliability in industrial plants.

Companies of the manufacturing industry seeking to access the benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) must apply a dedicated and holistic approach to their digital transformation. The Smart Industry Readiness Index (S.I.R.I.) enables them to efficiently assess their digital maturity level and take a systematic approach to implementing transformation. S.I.R.I. was developed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) in partnership with TÜV SÜD and other companies, and is recognised by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Early this year, S.I.R.I. activities were transferred from the EDB to the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT).

“S.I.R.I. pursues a holistic assessment that goes far beyond a quick check”, says Pascal Gaillot, S.I.R.I. assessor at TÜV SÜD. In contrast to many other maturity models, S.I.R.I. does not focus exclusively on technology. Instead, the model uses an integrated strategy that also takes in the processes and organisation of a company, thus delivering informative results. “Further than assessing the operations’ readiness by a standardized quantification of maturities, S.I.R.I. includes site-specific cost profiles and business priorities in the analysis. This structured and comprehensive approach results in highly accurate prioritizations of digital initiatives for the company”, explains Maurice Houben, S.I.R.I. assessor at Yokogawa. By doing so, companies develop a roadmap which permits targeted planning of the next steps – a major advantage.

The S.I.R.I. assessment is based on a framework with a clear structure; its three main building blocks of Technology, Process and Organisation rest on eight pillars, which are broken down into 16 sub-categories or dimensions. Owing to its clear structure, the assessment delivers informative results in a relatively short time, even allowing industry-specific benchmarking of the level of maturity.

S.I.R.I. application was first tested in various pilot projects at companies of different sizes and from different industries, including chemicals, electronics and aviation. To date, S.I.R.I. has been used successfully in more than 600 companies worldwide. “Drawing on our experience, we are convinced that S.I.R.I. can be transferred to all sectors of industry and significantly benefits companies of all sizes, from small companies to SMEs and multinationals”, explains Pascal Gaillot.

Third-party S.I.R.I. assessors

TÜV SÜD and Yokogawa support companies with S.I.R.I. assessments. Support by experienced and certified S.I.R.I. assessors raises the efficiency of the assessment and enhances the informative value of its results. “An important effect that is often overlooked is the creation of awareness and enthusiasm among the participants for the Industry 4.0 concepts and the value they can bring the company,” explains Maurice Houben. “These offer a strong basis for the change management aspects during implementation of the transformation initiatives.” The assessors from TÜV SÜD and Yokogawa typically work in mixed teams, contributing the expertise and experience of a testing and certification company and a supplier of process automation solutions and devices, both of which are among the global leaders in their sectors of industry.

Further information about the Smart Industry Readiness Index and S.I.R.I. assessments by TÜV SÜD and Yokogawa is available at:

• www.tuvsud.com/en/digital-service/official-siri-assessment
• www.yokogawa.com/eu/solutions/solutions/digital-transformation/smart-industry-readiness/
• incit.org/

Note for editorial staff

The press release and high-resolution chart are available on the Internet at www.tuvsud.com/newsroom.

Media Relations:

TÜV SÜD
Founded in 1866 as a steam boiler inspection association, the TÜV SÜD Group has evolved into a global enterprise. More than 25,000 employees work at over 1.000 locations in about 50 countries to continually improve technology, systems and expertise. They contribute significantly to making technical innovations such as Industry 4.0, autonomous driving and renewable energy safe and reliable. www.tuvsud.com

Yokogawa
Yokogawa provides advanced solutions in the areas of measurement, control, and information to customers across a broad range of industries, including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food. Yokogawa addresses customer issues regarding the optimization of production, assets, and the supply chain with the effective application of digital technologies, enabling the transition to autonomous operations. Founded in Tokyo in 1915, Yokogawa continues to work toward a sustainable society through its 17,500 employees in a global network of 119 companies spanning 61 countries. For more information, visit www.yokogawa.com