For many companies that want to complete the digital transformation, the first question is where the digitalization process should begin. The welcome answer here is: at every point in the value chain, for both brownfield and greenfield plants. With the performance twin as a link between virtual and real production, it is possible to continuously optimize production.

In the case of greenfield plants, i.e. completely new digitalized plants to be built, virtual production is already created in the process and plant design phase. This digital twin can then be used in real production with minimal effort, saving engineering effort and time to market. The virtual image also increases the efficiency of the design, as it can be run through and tested with more configurations.

Continuous optimization of existing plants
In brownfield plants, i.e. plants that are already running, hardware, software and processes are already established. Nevertheless, it is also possible to use the advantages of the digital twin to optimize existing processes and equipment. For example, the digital twin can be used to break down information silos and carry out modernization and maintenance activities based on the current documentation. This approach reduces incidents and downtimes. Suppliers and intralogistics can also be integrated into these processes using an end-to-end collaboration platform.

Know-how and technologies
Another component of the Siemens digitalization approach is "Digitalization Consulting". The Siemens experts take all of a company's framework conditions into account. "The result of the consultation is a digitalization roadmap that takes into account, highlights and evaluates the specific needs, business models and existing infrastructure (IT (information technology) & OT (operational technology))," explains Tobias Wachtmann, Head of Vertical Glass & Solar at Siemens.

Furthermore, Siemens Industrial Edge allows customers to combine the benefits of edge computing and the cloud. With Industrial Edge, data can be fully evaluated and analyzed on the machine and then transferred to an open IoT operating system such as Mindsphere for further use. "Artificial intelligence is also an important design feature for the future of automation in the glass industry," says Wachtmann. "In future, scalable solutions will be possible from the field level to the controller and edge level through to the cloud." He assumes that fully automated production processes will drive transparency and efficiency at all levels. as