US based GE has collaborated with AT&T, Cisco and Intel to increase the Industrial Internet service offering which will help customers analyse data better.
Intel and GE will collaborate to embed virtualisation and cloud-based, standardised interfaces within the GE Predix platform which will minimise machine software upgrade cycles and create an open infrastructure for communication service providers to connect to GE’s industrial machines.
GE will also work with AT&T to connect its machines to the AT&T network and cloud to create a secure wireless communications system for GE’s Industrial Internet.
Workers using the system will have access to remote monitoring, diagnostics and the ability to resolve maintenance issues virtually anywhere in the world.
As part of the service, the company introduced 14 new Industrial Internet Predictivity technologies that will allow industries to predict outcomes.
The service allows users to analyse large volumes of industrial big data using traditional database and software in order to assess the results that would help in reducing downtime, increasing productivity, lower fuel costs and reduce emissions.
GE chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said that the greatest challenge and opportunity is to manage and analse data in a secure way to deliver better outcomes for customers and society.
"We are developing more predictive solutions and equipping our products with sensors that constantly measure performance so our customers see major productivity gains and minimise no unplanned downtime," Immelt added.
"Observing, predicting and changing this performance is how the Industrial Internet will help airlines, railroads and power plants operate at peak efficiency."
The Industrial Internet service will enable users to track, monitor, and operate GE’s machinery wirelessly through the cloud using machine-to-machine communications.
GE Global Software vice president William Ruh was quoted by the Times saying that everyone wants prediction about performance, and better asset management.
"The idea of speed, of information velocity, is what will differentiate the winners from the losers," Ruh added.
Following the launch, the company’s predictive technology portfolio includes 24 total Predictivity products that help users to better mange machines and entire operations.
The company’s current partnerships with Amazon’s Web Services, Accenture and Pivotal are expected to complement the service.
GE forecasts that the expansion of industrial Internet would save $20bn per year.