P O W E R S Y S T E M S
KONECRANES
EXPLORES
ADVANCED
NETWORKS
Konecranes is exploring advanced
networks and global digital automation
cloud that enable Konecranes
to utilise future network technology
and develop 5G capabilities already
today. Konecranes has been one
of the first companies to employ
technology giant Nokia’s Digital
Automation Cloud.
Konecranes executive vice president,
technologies, Juha Pankakoski
believes that this advanced technology
– which was showcased at
Konecranes’ executive vice president, technologies,
Juha Pankakoski (centre) talks about the future of
Konecranes digital solutions and the company’s collaboration
with Nokia on cloud technology
Konecranes TruConnect technology
monitors equipment in real-time
Hannover Messe this year – has
potential to enhance Konecranes’
current offering by increasing network
capacity and reducing latency.
Mr Pankakoski first discussed the
customer benefits of utilising cloud
technologies at a Nokia studio
broadcast at the end of April, where
he was joined by experts from Nokia
and Business Finland.
Konecranes digital solutions are
already implemented in global scale,
with over 570,000 digitised service
assets in 55,000 locations, including
more than 1,500 in Australasia.
More connections are being added
every day.
Real-time equipment monitoring
technologies, such as Konecranes’
TruConnect can be employed on
any of Konecranes’ broad range of
overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry
cranes, and lifting devices, that
can typically lift anywhere between
500kgs and more than 2,000
tonnes.
“Konecranes is actively exploring
advanced mobile networks that help
our customers establish fast and
reliable connections to cranes, even
in harsh conditions where there is
no general network available,” says
Mr Pankakoski.
“Konecranes equipment is used in
a huge variety of industries, from
basic manufacturing and assembly
through to large logistics hubs and
shipyards. There’s no ‘one- size
fits all’ approach when it comes to
digital solutions for these industries,
but the basic outcome remains
consistent: to enhance the efficiency,
reliability and safety of material
handling operations.
“We see products becoming
increasingly smarter, being able to
sense not just their own status but
also the environment they operate
in, and ultimately become autonomous
in performing operations that
are required from them. In order for
this to happen, we need to able to
move more and more computing
power to the edge, increase the
communication bandwidth and
decrease the latency. We see digital
automation cloud as very potential
technology that our customers may
be using in the future, and wanted
to be prepared for the possibilities it
provides.”
WITH NOKIA’S DIGITAL
AUTOMATION CLOUD
54 June 2018