Siemens' Software Offerings Digitize the Value Chain

Siemens Corporation’s Digital Enterprise Suite digitally links all phases and process steps in the value chain. According to Siemens, the Digital Enterprise Suite offers an integrated portfolio of industrial software and automation that enables discrete industries to consistently integrate and digitize the entire value chain, including suppliers.

In each phase, a digital twin is created that feeds back new findings from simulations and tests, which can then be used for continuous optimization. This enables enterprises to begin at any point in their value chain, from product design to service, and extend digitalization gradually in line with their current needs — including existing system solutions.

Siemens says its approach is tailored to two target groups that face different challenges. Firstly, it supports product manufacturers from product design, production planning, engineering and the production itself through services. Secondly, it supports machine builders, who use it during machine design, engineering, commissioning and operation.

Siemens’ MindSphere, the cloud-based, open Internet of Things (IoT) operating system is said to enable users to analyze the performance of manufacturing plants and products and report back all findings to the entire value chain. MindSphere collects data from the real world, adding a statistical data model to the analytical model of the digital twin. The digital twin reportedly displays development throughout the entire lifecycle and enables operators to predict behavior, optimize performance and implement insights from previous design and production experiences.

An additional part of Siemens’ Digital Enterprise Suite is the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal, which integrates all important automation components so that controllers, peripherals, drives, human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and safety and motion control functions can be programmed and energy can be managed in a single engineering framework.

Machine builders can use NX Mechatronics Concept Designer to simulate and test the mechanical components of their machines in a virtual environment. Programmable logic controller (PLC) programs and visualizations are simulated and validated with PLCSIM Advanced and TIA Portal. The SIMIT simulation software maps the behavior of active components like drives and valves, depending on the level of requirements.