Page 31 - Logistics News - November December 2022

C O MPANY NE W S

Schneider Electric accelerates its AI at Scale strategy

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC has announced the progress made on
its AI at Scale strategic initiative. With more than 200 people
Peter Weckesser,
onboard in AI roles since 2021, the company has strengthened
Chief Digital
its foundations for enabling new revenue streams, savings and Officer at
efficient ways of working. Over the past year, Schneider Electric Schneider
has accelerated the momentum of AI by: Electric.
• Appointing its first Chief AI Officer, Philippe Rambach.
• Implementing an AI hub and spoke operating model globally.
• Bringing 200+ AI and data experts onboard. “At Schneider Electric, we observe a great demand from
• Submitting 18 AI technology patents. our customers to leverage data for operational efficiency,
• Enhancing 15 solutions with AI capabilities. electrification and automation. The growing energy costs make
• Developing 20+ internal AI applications. many of them turn to AI applications to manage, predict and
• Launching an AI knowledge base on se.com/ai. optimise their energy consumption,” says Peter Weckesser, Chief
Digital Officer at Schneider Electric. “We apply AI to enhance
The AI Hub partners with all Schneider Electric business data-driven decision-making, agility and decarbonisation. It
units and functions to address the most pressing customer has never been more visible that resource efficiency and energy
challenges and prioritise AI use cases with the highest sobriety boost the company’s profitability.”
customer value. Focused on efficiency and sustainability, it
has been working to further develop AI applications in the “The AI by Schneider Electric is AI for good. We challenge it
field of electrification, automation and decarbonisation, with the biggest problem of our generation – climate change,”
such as microgrid management, alarm management says Philippe Rambach, Chief AI Officer at Schneider Electric. “It
and HVAC optimisation for buildings, electric vehicles has been my first year in this role and I am happy to discover
(EV) management, smart charging, asset management and further develop the AI foundation of many of our products
and more. and services.” •

Smart Procurement honoured at National Presidential SMME Awards

IN RECOGNITION of its contribution to empowering and recognition has further ignited our
advancing entrepreneurs and developing small, medium and passion and commitment to the
micro enterprises (SMMEs), Smart Procurement was honoured development and growth of SMMEs.
at the inaugural National Presidential SMME Awards. Congratulations to our fellow finalists
These were hosted by the Department of Small Business and all the category winners that came
Development (DSBD) and the awards were presented by Stella out tops from more than 4,000 entries.
Ndabeni-Abrahams, South Africa’s Minister of Small Business We salute you.”
Development. Smart Procurement COO
Tagg explains that Smart Debbie Tagg.
Smart Procurement was awarded second place in the Procurement has been facilitating
Ecosystem Enabler of the Year category. Nominees in this the development of suppliers and small businesses
category comprised organisations that, through lobbying, through market linkage and access for more than 11 years.
organising, advisory services, research and events, seek “Smart Procurement believes in facilitating collaboration
to advance the cause of entrepreneurs and SMMEs. These between business support organisations, procurement and
essential businesses also create communities by finding and stakeholders. Our passion is to reduce barriers of market
leveraging various ecosystem players. access and to enable collaboration and the mentoring of
SMMEs to ensure that they are equipped to engage with L O GI S T I CS NEWS
“It was a privilege for Smart Procurement to reach the procurement buyers,” states Tagg. “Smart Procurement is
finals and to be placed second in these prestigious awards,” committed to continuing to be an SMME enabler in 2023
comments Smart Procurement COO Debbie Tagg. “This and beyond,” she concludes. •

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