The Digital Utility Cloud Service will expand the functionality of FANUC’s FIELD system further (FANUC Intelligent Edge Link and Drive). FIELD connects shopfloor equipment such as machines and robots to a local (Edge) computer to allow local processing of data via apps. The key point is making sure that end users’ production is always running. But the Digital Utility Cloud will extend this by offering cloud computing power for selected data collected by the FIELD system.
FANUC explains the benefits of the cloud system: “This service manages equipment data, including machine tool operation status, personnel data like work logs collected by mobile devices, and static data, such as manuals and specifications on a platform that enables safe and secure use.
“By using the AI engine to analyse the accumulated data for various purposes, the companies that use this service can take advantage of this data to reduce internal costs and resources required for development and improve customer service. This will effectively allow users to focus budgetary and developmental resources on areas requiring dedicated focus. Plans also exist to offer a store function for customers to purchase applications developed by machine tool manufacturers and IT vendors.
“As described above, the services that will help realise the ‘Digital Utility Cloud’ offered by the three companies are expected to be widely used by companies in the machine tool industry and their customers as an ecosystem.”
FANUC will draw on its expertise in the machine tool industry to outline the functions required for the Digital Utility Cloud. It will additionally be in charge of functions required for the Edge layer, taking advantage of experience gained through the development of its FIELD system, a solution used for Edge processing.
Fujitsu will manage the application layer, leveraging knowledge gained through the development of its ‘Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution COLMINA’ suite of digital manufacturing solutions, which consolidates the various manufacturing technologies and tools that the company has developed to date in a single platform.
NTT Com will oversee the ICT infrastructure and security functions required to realise secure data utilisation by relying on expertise gained through the provision network, cloud, and security services and solutions.
The three companies will additionally promote Digital Utility Cloud with a view toward establishing a joint venture in the future.
