Macnica and Siemens Strengthen Collaboration in OT Product and Service Linkages - Accelerating transformation in Japan's manufacturing industry through data linkage across cyber-physical systems that link hardware and software -

Macnica (headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter referred to as Macnica) announced today that it has signed a solutions partner agreement ^* with Siemens K.K. (headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President and CEO: Kunihiko Hotta; hereinafter referred to as "Siemens") to provide products and services that link not only software but also hardware in the OT field. Through this agreement, the two companies aim to speed up the transformation of Japan's manufacturing industry by linking data across the entire cyber-physical system (hereinafter referred to as "CPS") that links hardware and software.

(From left in photo) Kazuyuki Sawada, Vice President Macnica ALTIMA Company Inc.
Tobias Lang, Senior Executive Officer Digital Industries, Siemens K.K.

■ The "Lost 30 Years": Challenges for Transformation in Domestic Manufacturing
Domestic manufacturing, which once boasted high competitiveness thanks to its advanced technological capabilities and quality, as well as the excellent skills and motivation of its workers, is now facing irreversible acceleration of technology and innovation, changing customer expectations, globalization, rapid decision-making, and increasing uncertainty. Many manufacturing companies are struggling to maintain their competitiveness, as they find it difficult to quickly adapt to change due to factors such as partially optimized, honed business processes and personalized knowledge. In recent years, as geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions have risen and manufacturing is being repatriated worldwide, Japan is facing a worsening labor shortage, particularly among skilled engineers.
To address these challenges and achieve innovation, it is necessary to apply international best practices, standardize business processes using digital technology and automation, and at the same time, focus on areas that directly link to customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

■No true DX without data integration
To achieve fundamental reform, it is necessary to link data across the product lifecycle using digital technology and simulation not only in the product development stage but also in the manufacturing stage, and to realize a digital twin that seamlessly links the real and virtual worlds. DX can be promoted by seamlessly implementing the exponential evolution of the IT field in the OT field, but there are many cases where data linkage is hindered due to the large gap between the two fields and the fact that solution vendors are divided into their respective fields.
Therefore, by advancing a comprehensive partnership with Siemens, a world-leading company that excels in creating value through the integration of hardware and software, in addition to its existing software partnership with Macnica, which will include hardware, it will be possible to link data across the entire CPS. Furthermore, by linking the IT and OT fields and realizing a digital twin that links the virtual and real, Macnica will enable integrated visualization across the entire engineering and supply chains in the manufacturing industry. This will provide an environment where everyone, from the workplace to management, can make quick, data-based decisions consistently, contributing to improved productivity and quality.

Image courtesy of Siemens

■ Total support for PLM/MES, which realizes the link between design and manufacturing, and software and hardware that realizes CPS
"In order to connect the entire manufacturing process and realize a digital twin that links the cyber and physical worlds, support in the PLM/MES area that connects design and manufacturing, as well as support not only in the software but also in the hardware that runs it, is essential. Siemens' hardware products, which comply with national standards and support functional safety and security, have a world-leading market share and support manufacturing globally. By combining this with Macnica 's strengths in providing the latest components and technical support, such as semiconductors, sensing devices, and GPUs, it will be possible to combine and implement various elements, such as the acceleration of CPS through the realization of AI and edge computing, simulations using digital twins and digital threads for machinery and equipment manufacturers and factory equipment, virtual commissioning, and Industrial Copilot."

Tobias Lang, Senior Executive Officer of Digital Industries at Siemens K.K., said:
"Siemens is confident that by collaborating with Macnica, a leader in the Japanese market in the fields of hardware, software, and technology solutions, we can contribute to the success of our Japanese manufacturing customers. To achieve digital transformation, it is essential to have a partner that can provide integrated support for design and manufacturing, IT and OT, and software and hardware. Macnica will strongly support the transformation of business models with its deep relationships and understanding of business processes that it has built with diverse manufacturing industries over half a century. Furthermore, Macnica is Siemens' only solutions partner in Japan that handles both hardware and software, and is an extremely important strategic partner for the Company. We will continue to support innovation and sustainable growth in Japan's manufacturing industry through collaboration between our two companies."

*Siemens solution partners are highly reliable technology partners that have advanced expertise in the company's products and systems, are globally certified by Siemens, and can provide optimal solutions to customers.

[Partnership details]
SIMATIC PLC, HMI, IPC (including NVIDIA-based IPC), Safety, WinCC (SCADA) series
SINAMICS Inverter Drives
SIMOTION motion control
SIMOTICS Industrial Motors
SIRIUS Low Voltage Equipment
SCALANCE X,W,S,M Industrial Switches, Industrial Wireless Devices, Security, Mobile Communications
In addition, we sell and service Siemens products, including engineering software, Industrial Edge (Edge applications for embedded devices), Senseye (predictive maintenance for facilities), Industrial AI, and customer service, as well as provide implementation consulting.

[Click here for product details]
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/ai_iot/products/siemens/147378/

About Macnica 's Smart Manufacturing Business
Macnica supports the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, drawing on the technical capabilities it has cultivated as a semiconductor trading company and its experience in implementing cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT. It will accompany you in formulating a workable roadmap based on global best practices, implementing quick experiences that value changes in the minds and behavior of those involved, and operating to achieve your goals. As digital transformation accelerates, security issues also arise at the same time. Macnica is also introducing the world's most advanced security technology to Japan. Macnica will work closely with the concerns of Japan's manufacturing industry, which is facing a mountain of unique challenges, to discover the issues together and promote digital transformation, thereby creating new business opportunities and contributing to the development of society.
For more details, please visit: https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/ai_iot/