out that it is only with a thorough understanding

 

He points out that it is only with a thorough understanding of the processes and requirements that are unique to the African market, whilst partnering with clients on the ground, that companies operating in the African environment can provide the relevant services to their clients.

“It’s also important to bear in mind that innovation cycles have become shorter which puts the industry unde find r additional pressure when competing in global business arenas. For all of these reasons, Siemens has taken a global decision to reorganise its Industry Sector,” Russwurm informs.

“The Siemens Industry Sector will now comprise the Industry Automation Division (IA) and Drive Technologies (DT), incorporating Industry Solutions. Customer Services will form a separate division and address the technology based services for industrial customers,” he continues.

But what will the reorganisation mean for the service arena? “Siemens will continue to forge ahead with its service and retrofitting business, since this market offers high growth potentia house l. This is true for the more product-orientated service activities: the product and lifecycle services (LS) as well as IA and DT. However, it also applies to value added services (VS) which include consulting, remote condition monit business oring, condition based maintenance and energy efficiency programs,” Russwurm explains.

The re-organisation of the Industry Sector also answers the call of the market for an end-to-end offering from a single source. “We will be able to offer vertical market customers individual products and specific partial solutions to complete our services and system integration,” he adds. In this way, Siemens will have the agility to adapt its offering to create the ideal fit for each customers’ individual strategy – without the need for cross divisional co-ordination processes.

The benefits of the process operate on two levels. “From a Siemens perspective, co-ordination efforts will be greatly reduced. In addition, customers will profit from fewer interfaces, creating added value to Siemens’ offering and increased customer loyalty,” Russwurm maintains. “It’s an end-to-end approach, which outlines clear responsibilities for supporting customers. Individual products or services or complete systems originate from a single source.”

                                                              

Russwurm believes that in a climate where rising energy costs and stricter environmental regulations are a reality, energy efficiency is the deciding factor when it comes to economic efficiency and growth.

Siemens’ commitment to the environment and sustainability is evidenced in its Environmental Portfolio, a range of products and services aimed at energy efficiency. “We have created innovative technologies and solutions that reduce energy requirements over a product’s lifecycle while reducing energy costs and ensuring a rapid return on investment,” Russwurm reveals.