Manufacturing is undergoing a significant transformation as companies adopt advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Microsoft Azure Machine Learning is playing a key role in this shift, providing manufacturers with the tools to optimize operations, improve product quality, and make better decisions.
This article presents real-life case studies from Sandvik, 3M, and BASF, showcasing how these industry leaders are applying Azure Machine Learning to address unique challenges, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation across their operations.
Sandvik AB, a global leader in engineering, recognized that their traditional production monitoring methods weren’t keeping up with the demands of their complex operations. They needed a more effective way to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Sandvik AB is a global engineering group specializing in mining and rock excavation, metal-cutting, and materials technology. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Sandvik is a leader in manufacturing advanced equipment, tools, and services that cater to various industrial sectors.
With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Sandvik continuously seeks to improve its production processes to maintain its competitive edge and meet the evolving needs of its global customers.
Sandvik faced the challenge of optimizing its production processes to keep pace with growing demand and increasing complexity in manufacturing operations.
The company needed to improve its ability to monitor and analyze production data in real-time to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks. The traditional methods of process monitoring and optimization were not sufficient to handle the scale and complexity of Sandvik’s operations, –leading to delays and increased operational costs.
Sandvik recognized an opportunity to take advantage of machine learning to gain deeper insights into their production processes, enabling them to make data-driven decisions.
To address their challenge, Sandvik shifted to a Microsoft Azure environment, which was key in standardizing and streamlining their data. The key elements of the solution included:
The implementation of Microsoft Azure Machine Learning had a significant impact on Sandvik’s operations:
Sandvik’s experience with Azure Machine Learning offers several key takeaways:
The Sandvik's case study is available on the Microsoft website, and you can access it by clicking this link: https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/1518521945649112744-sandvik-discrete-manufacturing-azure-en-sweden
3M improved its sales forecasting process by implementing Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and other Azure AI services, developing 1,500 custom models tailored to its regions and divisions. This solution provided finance, sales, and marketing teams with timely insights, significantly enhancing forecast accuracy and automating manual tasks.
3M, a global conglomerate with $33 billion in sales, employs 85,000 people worldwide. The company has continued to set new milestones, as highlighted in its 2023 Annual Report. Known for its commitment to innovation, 3M constantly explores advanced technologies to enhance its operations and maintain its competitive edge across various industries.
3M is known for bringing science to life through innovative products for various markets, including home, business, and industrial customers. As a large, global enterprise, 3M recognized the need to standardize and automate its sales forecasting process, which was previously managed through multiple, highly manual methods.
By adopting Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and other Azure AI services, 3M developed and implemented 1,500 custom models tailored to its regions and divisions. These models now provide timely insights to finance, sales, and marketing teams, streamlining processes and freeing employees from time-consuming manual tasks.
3M take advantage of the power of Microsoft Azure to build a robust, cloud-based forecasting solution, focusing on the following components:
“With Azure AI capabilities, business conversations become more meaningful, and strategic decisions become more targeted.” - Jeff Neilson: Data Science Manager, 3M
The implementation of Azure Machine Learning at 3M has yielded significant positive outcomes:
“As more of our groups rely on the Azure Machine Learning solution, our finance experts can focus more on higher-level tasks and spend less time on manual data collection and input.” - Jeff Neilson: Data Science Manager, 3M
3M's experience with Microsoft Azure Machine Learning offers several key insights:
The 3M's case study is available on the Microsoft website, and you can access it by clicking this link: https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/1504342377134122633-3M-manufacturing-azure-machine-learning
GOLDBECK uses HoloBuilder's 360° image capture and Microsoft Azure's AI capabilities to digitize construction site management. This solution integrates construction progress documentation with digital building plans and automates defect detection using Azure Machine Learning, reducing the need for manual data entry and analysis.
GOLDBECK is a family-owned construction company founded in 1969 and headquartered in Germany. With over 8,500 employees across Europe, GOLDBECK specializes in constructing commercial properties and is known for its innovation in digitizing building processes to enhance efficiency and project management.
Managing construction sites traditionally requires physical presence, making it difficult to document and analyze progress without being on-site. Site managers spent significant time manually capturing and organizing information, which often led to inconsistencies and errors. GOLDBECK needed a digital solution to improve site documentation, track project progress accurately, and reduce the burden on site managers.
“Robotics and artificial intelligence will have a major impact on the future of the construction sector. This is already clear from the positive effect HoloBuilder and Azure are having on our site managers’ workload—which ultimately benefits our customers.” - Maximilian Schütz: Director of the BIM Department and Managing DirectorGOLDBECK US Inc.
GOLDBECK’s use of HoloBuilder and Azure has improved documentation accuracy, reduced manual workload for site managers, and accelerated project delivery. The solution was awarded the Intelligent Manufacturing Award by Microsoft and Roland Berger in recognition of its impact on the construction industry, and GOLDBECK has rolled out the platform to around 50 of its building sites.
The Goldbeck’s case study is available on the Microsoft website, and you can access it by clicking this link: https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/1422938843831293737-goldbeck-HoloBuilder-azure-machine-learning-en
The experiences of Sandvik, 3M, and GOLDBECK highlight the transformative impact of Microsoft Azure Machine Learning in manufacturing. These companies have successfully optimized operations, improved decision-making, and automated processes through AI and cloud-based technologies, leading to enhanced efficiency and sustainability. These examples demonstrate the power of integrating advanced technology with industry expertise, positioning companies to innovate and meet future challenges more effectively.
If you're interested in exploring how Microsoft Azure can help your business, reach out to us and learn more about how we can support your journey toward greater efficiency and innovation.
If you’re interested in exploring how Microsoft Azure can help your business, we encourage you to book a call with our team of experts. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we can discuss how you can leverage machine learning and cloud technologies for success.
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