Exclusives

Verizon and SAP have announced they will jointly develop new, next-gen Internet of Things (IoT) analytics solutions, ones that will enable applications to process data at every generation point, from the assembly line to retail store shelves.

The solutions aim to help businesses save time and increase productivity, by giving them access to real-time data processing, and multi-sensor capabilities for supply chain solutions, field service management, assembly line and retail operations.

The enterprise solutions will use Verizon’s network and platform capabilities, integrated with SAP’s software and services, including the SAP Leonardo IoT solution, and SAP Edge Services.

“We are unleashing the next generation of cloud capabilities through global data centers, across the edge of the network,” said Eric Stine, chief customer innovation officer for SAP North America. “With data volumes growing exponentially and the capabilities of new wireless technologies like 5G to further expand the reach of IoT and enterprise computing, SAP and Verizon are uniquely positioned to drive a new class of data analytics, management and services at scale to help the world’s great companies create amazing customer experiences, and unlock new business models and monetization strategies.”

The new partnership will see SAP’s customers benefit from Verizon’s 5G, software defined networking (SDN) and Intelligent Edge Network technologies, Stine said.

“Our ability to integrate our ThingSpace platform into the SAP Cloud portfolio provides a secure and agile way to deliver instantaneous, end-to-end operational analytics at the edge while lowering the cost of IoT management,” said George Fischer, president of global enterprise for the Verizon Business Group. “This combined solution is not just about massive IoT. We are also enabling computer vision, augmented reality, blockchain and machine learning using Verizon’s network. These are a truly comprehensive set of capabilities to help our customers better manage critical functions including asset lifecycles, supply chains, customer experiences, human capital and plant operations.”

The companies are highlighting how SAP Edge Services, coupled with Verizon’s 5G network, drive business outcomes in real-time, by showing the condition of assets within a warehouse or factory, and by executing critical business processes locally while providing visibility across the supply chain, the companies said in a press release.

Conditions such as location, temperature, humidity and vibration are processed and analyzed by Verizon’s ThingSpace-enabled Critical Asset Sensor (CAS) and SAP Edge Services, thus generating real-time insights. Using SAP Leonardo IoT, the solution enables aggregate time series analysis with master data, geo-location and condition-based monitoring for outbound logistics business processes.