IFS, a leading provider of enterprise cloud and industrial AI software, has announced the general availability of the latest release of IFS Cloud. This new iteration introduces powerful AI-driven functionalities to enhance asset management, operational efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, reinforcing IFS’s commitment to innovation in industrial AI.

Enhancing Operational Excellence with IFS Cloud

IFS Cloud 24R1 aims to transform how companies leverage their assets and improve service delivery. As the sole vendor dedicated to empowering asset and service-focused enterprises with industrial AI, IFS’s latest release focuses on three strategic themes, supported by the advanced IFS.ai Copilot. This AI-powered assistant facilitates better data utilization across supply chains and operations, significantly improving decision-making and user engagement.

Key Features and Capabilities:

1. IFS.ai Copilot: This AI-driven assistant enhances user experience by providing timely knowledge and guidance, significantly improving decision-making processes and productivity.
2. Analytics as a Service: This feature accelerates time to value and provides valuable insights, reducing capital expenditure and operating costs.
3. Transport Loading: Optimizes the shipment process, enhancing capacity utilization and expediting goods loading.
4. Task Bundling for Service: Increases technician utilization and efficiency, reduces travel costs and emissions, and improves service margins.
5. Maintenance Planning and Scheduling New Lobbies: Enhances visibility and drives efficient asset maintenance operations, ensuring asset compliance.

Driving Profitability in a Volatile Landscape

In today’s dynamic business environment, profitability is paramount. The new IFS Cloud release equips customers with tools to fine-tune global operations, lower costs, reduce waste, and explore new business models. Key enhancements include:

1. Supply Chain Customer Scheduling: Manages multiple open schedules from the same plant simultaneously, boosting productivity and time savings.
2. Advanced SLA Management: Enhances margins, SLA adherence, and compliance.
3. Incomplete & Follow-on Process: Provides an intuitive, guided technician process for service management, ensuring SLA compliance, avoiding penalties, and improving customer satisfaction.
4. Business-to-business Portal: This portal streamlines the communication process between contractors and asset owners, providing greater control and visibility over multi-site work.

Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage

IFS Cloud empowers businesses to meet sustainability goals and excel as leaders in environmental stewardship. Companies can reduce their carbon footprint by optimizing resource utilization, minimizing waste, and tracking environmental impact. Key sustainability features include:

1. Emissions Tracker: This tool enhances the ability to track progress against sustainability goals through easy emissions data collection and the inclusion of select Scope 3 emissions categories.
2. ESG Lobbies: Now supported by Power BI, providing real-time access to focused insights.
3. Support for Circular Manufacturing: Reduces production costs and supports the planning of the remanufacturing process, enabling new revenue streams and a lower carbon footprint.
4. Packing Material Management: This process facilitates more sustainable operations by treating unit accessories as inventory and increasing the use of reusable packaging.

Leadership Insights

Christian Pedersen, Chief Product Officer at IFS, commented, “With this latest release of IFS Cloud, customers will benefit from a new level of meaningful AI capabilities and innovation that is truly relevant to their industry and impactful to their business. The IFS.ai Copilot is the natural next step for IFS Cloud users to engage with and benefit from the AI capabilities we have embedded into IFS Cloud. We’re offering so much more than generic AI – our industrial AI approach means customers can effectively manage supply chains and improve their operations. We’re creating an environment where technology and human ingenuity come together.”

Pedersen added, “At a time where regulation in Europe and the US is making companies take action in how they set and manage their sustainability commitments, we are offering new AI-powered capabilities that both help companies improve their operations and report progress. As we look ahead, it’s clear that IFS.ai will continue to be a catalyst for change, driving businesses forward with purpose and passion within the industrial setting. The future is not just bright; it’s AI-powered, composable, and cloud-enabled, and it’s here now.”

Industry-Specific Innovations

The new capabilities in 24R1 are designed to provide powerful industrial AI functionality across various sectors. For instance, in Aerospace and Defence, the new Aircraft Release to Service feature automatically detects and flags missing mandatory components and overdue maintenance tasks, ensuring compliance and reducing risk. Additionally, the Aircraft Airworthiness Status Insights feature provides visibility and control over fleet status and maintenance, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

IFS Cloud 24R1 represents a significant advancement in industrial AI, offering enhanced capabilities that drive operational excellence, profitability, and sustainability. With its focus on AI-driven innovation, IFS continues to lead the way in transforming how businesses leverage technology to achieve their goals.

For more information on the latest IFS Cloud release and its industry-specific capabilities, watch the 24R1 Release Showcase.

Written by: Octavia Koo

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