The Challenge
A big rail manufacturer was developing a Smart Asset Portfolio. In connection with the vehicles supplied to customers, this was intended to enable optimization in operation, such as energy-saving driving or remote starting. Each of these examples represents a use case for which there are to be defined products. An appropriate infrastructure is required to implement and operate the services. Various platforms already exist in the company.
Within the scope, the existing platforms of the rail vehicle manufacturer were to be examined with regard to the best fit for the Smart Asset Suite. In addition, a reference platform architecture was to be delivered.
“Cloud-based platforms to access data across all devices. Adoption of Open Platform and APIs approach for multi-party collaboration. This enables faster development of new services and applications that work with the platform’s data and functionality”
The Approach
Eraneos’ approach was based on its best practice for platform architecture. We carried out a Use-Case Workshops with involved stakeholders from the functional and non-functional side to create architecture requirements.
After the specification of all requirements, we created a reference architecture and created a cost overview for the client based on system, platform development, connectivity and operation as as service (OaaS) costs.
After a point of comparison with the reference architecture, we evaluated three existing platforms based on 6 pillars (e.g. business driven, physical foundation, fundamentals etc.) for best fit.
Based on the reference architecture, costs and the platform assessment, we finalized a recommendation for Top Management to enter the next phase.
Creating a business architecture along the customer journey and creating a reference architecture with a cost overview for rail assets as well as assessing three available platforms to implement those functionalities.
The Result
Eraneos was able to complete all objectives from the sourcing strategy for this project. This included:
- Created an evaluation of available functional/non-functional use cases together with the client
- Developed a business architecture based on prioritized applications along the customer journey
- Built a reference architecture with a cost overview
- Led interviews and created a platform assessment with three existing platforms
- Created a recommendation for Top Management decision
- Suggested next steps to enable a fast ramp up of the IoT Platform
Successfully completing the above laid the foundation for the Smart Asset Platform for the railway vehicle manufacturer enabled them to carry out the next phase, namely product management and preparation for implementation.
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