Enterprise applications company IFS has showcased a new ‘solution concept’ to derive business value from drones and the Internet of Things (IoT).
As an enterprise applications company aiming to put its organically and non-organically (i.e. through M&A) stack of software tools into every possible place on the planet, Swedish born IFS has its sights on the IoT space in no uncertain terms.
The company has used its IFS World Conference show and exhibition to present a proof-of-concept solution designed to empowers maintenance workers with drone technology integrated with the IFS Applications set of ‘modular’ software tools and functions.
IFS Labs-tastic
Designed by the firm’s IFS Labs division (that’s the company’s in-house think tank) the drone proof-of-concept features live integration between the drone and IFS Applications for automatic generation of work orders when inspecting assets. But what does that mean?
What we are talking about here is the opportunity to integrate intelligence (often situation reports from places that drones have been dispatched to) into the central Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems that firms use to do everything from end-to-end parts tracking and management… right out to the field service personnel who carry out maintenance operations.
How does a drone engineer work?
Using computer image analysis, the drone can recognize a break in a power line and automatically generate an observation that is registered in IFS Applications via the IFS IoT Business Connector.
The end user can analyze and process the drone observations via the IFS Lobby interface, in which additional information such as geolocation and customer feedback is cross-referenced to help the user action appropriate maintenance and repair.
“At IFS Labs, we look beyond the current needs of businesses to anticipate what solutions will be required in the future,” IFS Labs director Bas de Vos said. “There is enormous potential in drone technology and by presenting this proof-of-concept, we have demonstrated that IFS is ready to help companies not only conceptualize but importantly derive value from new innovations so they can digitally transform their businesses.”
IoT loves AR
Also presented in the Innovation Area of IFS World Conference 2016 were business applications connecting to and using the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality, wearable technology, beacon technology and 3D printing.
IFS Labs is inspired by consumer technologies and innovative solutions in a range of industries and applies these to IFS’s enterprise solutions.