Elframo S.p.A. is an Italian company founded in 1968 in Bergamo, specialising in the design and manufacture of professional dishwashers and fryers for the Ho.Re.Ca. sector and for industrial applications.

Elframo S.p.A. is a leading manufacturer of professional dishwashers and fryers for the HoReCa market. Elframo S.p.A.’s product portfolio includes several product lines ranging from the simplest to the most complex. Within the dishwasher range, there was a product line with electronics that were not fully developed, whose connectivity was aimed solely at remote assistance. This aspect was therefore lacking in additional functions, such as the automated and timely reprocessing of information necessary, for example, to optimise the use of the machine or its predictive maintenance aspects, as well as to further reduce energy/water/chemical consumption based on calculation algorithms.

The ambitious goal of the project was to develop a shared data processing system capable of providing intelligent responses, through calculation algorithms, to operational problems such as breakdowns or malfunctions and requests for machine optimisation based on actual use in the field. In this way, a form of machine self-learning will be developed for machine management with a view to continuous improvement.

The project has been divided into the following activities:

Design of a servitisation-oriented business model.

Definition of processes and related information flows aimed at providing technical assistance and maintenance services for all Elframo product lines.

Pilot application on a selected model of industrial dishwasher.

Implementation of an IT architecture to support Elframo’s service processes.

The work plan started from the desire to exploit the connectivity of the products manufactured and sold by the company to launch a servitisation process, with the aim of expanding the commercial offering through a series of services for its customers that can be provided through the interconnection features guaranteed by 4.0 solutions.
In addition, an IT architecture was identified and customised to provide a range of services to customers (retailers) based on the ability to manage all technical support activities through a dedicated ticketing platform, with a view to optimising customer service and laying the foundations for the development of a predictive maintenance business.

IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform required to enable the connection of machines via dedicated protocols and the subsequent recording of their operating data.

Development of a web application for managing Elframo retailers (those who purchase dishwashers for resale to end customers (bars, restaurants, hotels, canteens)) dedicated to providing technical assistance, technical-commercial support, monitoring, management and scheduling of maintenance activities.

Identification of a servitisation strategy: a business model was defined, which made it possible to identify the types of services that can be provided through the IIoT solution developed, as well as their value and related costs.

Identification of signals of interest generated by machinery and definition of an appropriate policy for their acquisition and transmission.

Identification of product alteration conditions that led to the development of appropriate maintenance engineering activities.

Development of IT architecture capable of meeting the needs and requirements of the retailer, as well as bringing value to Elframo’s R&D and Service departments.