Advanced pump analytics platform recognized for its innovative integration of IoT into existing operations

Sulzer will be joining other leading high-tech companies for the Swiss Digital Economy Awards which will be held on November 21 in Zurich. Its BLUE BOX™ solution, which uses existing pump data to deliver near-real-time analysis of pump performance and reliability, has been shortlisted for an award in the Highest Digital Quality category.

Dr. Marc Heggemann – Head of Group Commercial Digital Solutions at Sulzer delivered a brief presentation on the merits of BLUE BOX

This year’s Swiss Digital Economy Awards will involve 19 finalists from a range of industrial and commercial businesses, competing for the honors in four categories. Each finalist has been scrutinized by a panel of industry experts and delivered a brief presentation on the merits of their innovation.

Sulzer has developed an innovative solution that applies its considerable expertise in pump design and performance to existing process data in large-scale industrial applications. Providing the ability to identify under-performing assets, BLUE BOX offers an unprecedented view on system performance and pinpoints those pumps that would benefit from proactive maintenance.

Dr. Marc Heggemann – Head of Group Commercial Digital Solutions, explains: “This project has involved experts from almost all of Sulzer’s core businesses, combining their knowledge to offer our customers very significant operational savings. Now, we have proven the original concept in the field and shown that expert analytics can improve reliability and performance, which leads to reduced costs for the business.

“What makes BLUE BOX unique is its minimal digital footprint and secure connection to process data that can be gathered without the need for additional hardware. Combined with our expertise in pump manufacturing and maintenance, this cutting-edge data analysis tool can deliver long-term improvements and cost reductions.”

The judging panel provided some insight into the reasons it put Sulzer forward for the award: “The innovative integration of IoT (Internet of Things) into an existing productive environment and, thus, the optimal use of IoT convinced the jury. An existing value chain has been equipped with IoT solutions and offers a high customer added value. The selected combination of technical, procedural and people quality is a shining example of a high maturity in the development process based on the chosen MVP (minimum viable product) approach up to the marketable product.”

About Sulzer:

Sulzer, headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834, specializes in pumping solutions, services for rotating equipment, and separation, mixing, and application technology. Sulzer provides cutting-edge maintenance and service solutions for rotating equipment dedicated to improving customers’ processes and business performance. When pumps, turbines, compressors, generators, and motors are essential to operations, Sulzer offers technically advanced and innovative solutions. The company creates reliable and sustainable solutions for its markets: oil and gas, power, water, and general industry. Sulzer serves customers around the world through a network of over 180 production and service sites, and it has a strong footprint in emerging markets. In 2016, the company achieved sales of roughly CHF 2.9 billion with around 14 000 employees. www.sulzer.com