SIEMENS SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY 4.0
Technical Competency Hub to serve as platform to grow talents and technical capabilities
SIEMENS Digital Industries Software, a leading global software solutions provider, launched its first Southeast Asian Technical Competency Hub, here, in a move to support the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) in Malaysia.
Siemens PLM Software (Southeast Asia) vice-president and managing director Alex Teo said the hub was not only a strategic business decision but would also serve as a platform to grow talents and technical capabilities that would enable more local manufacturers to start their digital transformation journey.
“Siemens is able to provide customers with the initial seed for transformation into a digital factory.
“Our expertise draws from the comprehensive know-how that Siemens has built up in this field, with a strong portfolio in electrification, automation and digitalisation.
“I am confident that the Technical Competency Hub will complement and augment Penang’s efforts as we move closer to creating
a truly sustainable manufacturing future,” said Teo at the launch, here, yesterday.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Domestic and International Trade committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain.
The 1,400-sq-m facility will host the latest innovations in smart manufacturing, including manufacturing operations management software portfolio, and provide holistic solutions to improve the performance of factories.
Teo said the facility would reinforce Siemens’ commitment to driving digital transformation across all phases of businesses.
“The hub will also serve as a platform to help companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), begin their digitalisation journey and meet the needs of the new economy.
“With the hub, Siemens will continue to work closely with the government at all levels to nurture the right pool of talent and technical capabilities.”
He said the hub would support a wide range of next-generation smart manufacturing and innovation services for manufacturers in Southeast Asia that include the Industrial Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, simulation and augmented reality.
Teo also said SME manufacturers that were agile and could quickly leverage the right technologies would act as innovation accelerators for design and product development.
Meanwhile, at a recent investment seminar, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the government was providing various initiatives to companies to move towards Industry 4.0.
These include schemes such as the Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance and the Domestic Investment Strategic Fund.
There are also tax incentives for robotics, the Automation Capital Allowance to encourage automation in the manufacturing industry and the Soft Loan Scheme for Automation and Modernisation to enhance manufacturing processes, upgrade production capability and capacity, and diversify into high value-added activities.
“Companies, particularly domestic players, need to take full advantage of these facilities.
“We urge them to not only adopt automation and other smart technologies, but also invest in their talent by retraining workforce and undertaking collaborations with training institutions in the country,” he said.