Voice of MOM Partner Series – CLEVR and Siemens: Navigating the Perfect Storm in Manufacturing Digital Transformation
Manufacturing is experiencing what Tim Claes, CEO at CLEVR, calls “the perfect storm” – a convergence of challenges that are reshaping the industry landscape. As a European IT services company with approx 250 employees across the Benelux, Nordic, and DACH regions, CLEVR has positioned itself at the forefront of helping manufacturers navigate these turbulent waters. The manufacturing sector currently faces unprecedented challenges: supply chain resilience has become a critical concern, while the persistent war for talent continues to impact operations. Customer expectations are reaching new heights, and products are becoming increasingly complex with shorter life cycles. Adding to this complexity is the rapid evolution of technology, from cloud transformation to digital transformation, and now the emergence of AI, creating multiple waves of change that companies must surf simultaneously.
The “Holy Trinity” Approach
In response to these challenges, Tim Claes talks about what he calls the “Holy Trinity” approach – a comprehensive strategy that combines three crucial elements: Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Smart Factory Solutions, and Low-Code Development. This integrated approach sets CLEVR apart in the market and aligns perfectly with Siemens’ portfolio of solutions.
PLM: The Digital Foundation
The first pillar, PLM, serves as a bridge between engineering, manufacturing, and after-sales operations. It creates a seamless flow of information throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to accurate, up-to-date product data. This foundation is essential for maintaining consistency and efficiency across operations.
Smart Factory: Connecting the Shop Floor
The Smart Factory component represents CLEVR’s newest frontier. By connecting IT and OT (Operational Technology), they help manufacturers collect and analyze production data meaningfully. Through Siemens’ Insight Hub, companies can address specific challenges such as quality issues, consumption optimization, and availability improvements. This practical approach ensures that digital transformation delivers tangible results.
Low-Code: Bridging Business and IT
Low-Code development, powered by Siemens’ Mendix platform, completes the trinity by fundamentally rethinking IT implementation. It bridges the traditional gap between business and IT teams, allowing for rapid development of custom solutions that extend core capabilities. This approach is particularly valuable for addressing industry-specific compliance requirements and creating user-friendly applications for shop floor operations.
The Power of Partnership
The partnership between CLEVR and Siemens offers unique advantages to manufacturing clients. As European companies, both share a deep understanding of the region’s industrial landscape while maintaining global capabilities. The Siemens ecosystem, which CLEVR describes as “very nice,” promotes collaboration among partners, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support for their digital transformation journey.
Implementation Excellence
What sets this partnership apart is the ability to maintain clean core systems while enabling modern extensibility. Manufacturers can access the latest functions and features without compromising system integrity. Whether it’s creating sector-specific compliance solutions in Teamcenter or developing mobile apps for shop floor operations, the combination of Siemens’ robust platforms and CLEVR’s expertise delivers solutions that precisely match customer needs.
CLEVR’s approach to implementation follows a practical philosophy: “think big, start small, scale fast.” They recognize that digital transformation is not a destination but a continuous journey – what they call getting into the right “digital flow.” This methodology allows companies to begin their transformation at their current maturity level and progressively advance their capabilities.
Future-Ready Manufacturing
Looking ahead, the manufacturing sector’s digital transformation journey still has “a long way to go.” However, with the combined strength of Siemens’ tools and CLEVR’s expertise, manufacturers have a clear path forward. The integration of AI capabilities throughout the solution stack ensures that companies are not just solving today’s challenges but are also prepared for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Conclusion
The partnership between CLEVR and Siemens demonstrates that in the midst of manufacturing’s perfect storm, there’s a way to not just weather the challenges but to emerge stronger and more capable. Through the combination of PLM, Smart Factory solutions, and Low-Code development, manufacturers can truly become digital companies, ready to meet the evolving demands of their markets and customers.
