2025 – Further Development of Technology
- Roll-out at additional plants
- Implementation of further functions
The Future of Manufacturing
Digital Manufacturing Platform for Optimized Processes
Central Cloud Solution
In order to make processes in the plants faster, more transparent and more uniform, ZF has developed the “Digital Manufacturing Platform” (DMP). Instead of installing software separately at each plant and operating it on local servers, the DMP relies on a central cloud solution. The digital transformation requires seamless integration of operational technology at all locations worldwide. AI tools enable the company to implement measures to minimize unplanned downtime such as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. In addition, departments can take advantage of savings potential that only becomes apparent once the data has been evaluated.
Increase Efficiency; Reduce Costs
The cross-plant integration and easy scalability of the DMPs make ZF independent of local infrastructure. They help to reduce production costs and make optimal use of warehouse stock. In the long term this should increase production output and quality, and the workforce should be deployed more efficiently.
DMP supports the following application areas:
- Real-time insights from the machine to the plant level
- Traceability of the production processes
- Analyzing and forecasting production performance
- Optimization of maintenance work
The platform is making a decisive contribution to the group's goal of making mobility sustainable and affordable. The end-to-end digitization of production offers a decisive competitive advantage: in times of fluctuating demand and strained supply chains, it is essential to be able to quickly adapt production. The cloud-based availability of data also makes it easier for ZF to respond to these challenges.
Central cloud solution for a decisive competitive advantage: The DMP
Customer Benefits
Customer Benefits
ZF has already connected more than 60 plants with over 7,000 machines to the DMP and successfully rolled out 12 applications. The platform ensures fast and reliable production processes and increases flexibility. This enables the company to process orders faster, respond more quickly to market developments, and meet individual customer requirements more precisely.
Efficient Production Processes
The DMP is also characterized by a consistent data platform. Master data, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) data and machine data are centrally managed and available to all applications.
This too can be used to optimize production processes, reduce maintenance costs, predict failures and improve material availability across a large part of the supply chain.
In addition, the central data platform makes it possible to analyze production processes in real time. Advanced algorithms detect bottlenecks and potential for improvement at an early stage. This enables production to react more dynamically to changes in demand.
All ZF plants should be connected to the DMP by 2026.
Vision for the Future
By 2026, all plants are to be connected to the DMP, significantly improving processes. But that is only the first goal to be achieved, namely to take a leading position in the international arena when it comes to smart production.
In addition, the platform will continue to be developed in the future to ensure efficient production and contribute to sustainability. Optimized production processes, planned and controlled with the help of the DMP, result in lower energy consumption, for example, by avoiding unnecessary operation or idle times. Targeted supply chain management and shorter transport distances reduce associated emissions, as materials and products are provided just in time and in the required quantities.
“We receive more and more positive results from our factories. Just have a look at the multiple success stories our plants published –
having DMP and ist solutions in daily use.”
