KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, has chosen Vodafone’s innovative machine to machine (M2M) remote monitoring technology to create a new diagnostics service to schedule proactive maintenance tasks. The new service will help ensure the smooth running of the many thousands of lifts KONE maintains around the world, while keeping down-time to an absolute minimum.
As a legacy of its operations across multiple countries, KONE had acquired contracts with telecoms companies around the world which the company wanted to replace with a single global provider agreement. Regulations stipulate that a lift cannot be used unless it has a working phone in case of an emergency; however, KONE was experiencing delays in installation with fixed line operators, especially in new builds, and decided instead to opt for mobile communications technologies from Vodafone.
A Vodafone M2M SIM card is embedded into each KONE lift, enabling operational data to be sent and received wirelessly over the Vodafone network, including daily update logs with data such as the number of journeys and reports from microprocessors monitoring key components. That data is then compared with historical logs, enabling KONE to monitor trends and anticipate potential issues before they arise, in turn helping the company plan maintenance schedules more effectively and improve service quality.
Thomas Hietto, KONE’s senior vice president, maintenance services business, said: “We want to be the best maintenance partner for our customers and provide the highest quality level possible. Vodafone’s solution helps us to meet that aim. Being able to analyse data means we can also adopt an even more proactive approach to maintenance – and, because this is machine talking to machine, improve overall efficiency.”
Director Machine-to-Machine, Vodafone, Erik Brenneis, added: “Our global platform means that KONE can create a single repeatable technology operated across multiple countries through a partnership with just one provider rather than trying to manage a series of individual country contracts through numerous providers. We are delighted to help KONE achieve their goal of greater operational efficiency and a more seamless experience for their customers.”
About Vodafone Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications
Vodafone Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connects previously isolated machines or devices to the internet, delivering new functionality and enhanced services without the need for human intervention. Supported by more than 250 dedicated employees, Vodafone’s global M2M platform makes it easy for global businesses to manage centrally M2M deployments across multiple territories, with greater control and at a lower cost than previously possible. For more information, please visit: https://m2m.vodafone.com/home/
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About Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies with approximately 419 million customers in its controlled and jointly controlled markets as of 31 December 2013. Vodafone has equity interests in telecommunications operations in nearly 30 countries and around 50 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com
About KONE
KONE is one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry. KONE’s objective is to offer the best People Flow® experience by developing and delivering solutions that enable people to move smoothly, safely, comfortably and without waiting in buildings in an increasingly urbanizing environment. KONE provides industry-leading elevators, escalators, automatic building doors and integrated solutions to enhance the People Flow in and between buildings. KONE’s services cover the entire lifetime of a building, from the design phase to maintenance, repairs and modernization solutions. In 2013, KONE had annual net sales of EUR 6.9 billion, and at the end of the year over 43,000 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd in Finland.
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