Dirk Zeller, Head of IT Consulting at Mercedes-AMG GmbH, Mercedes-AMG GmbH

SuperNova Award Category

  • Data to Decisions
  • Future of Work

The Company

AMG – around the world, these three distinctive letters embody automotive high performance, exclusivity and dynamic driving pleasure.

Mercedes-AMG GmbH specializes in unique, high-performance vehicles; its sporty saloons, SUVs, coupés, cabriolets, roadsters and specially built one-off models constitute a product portfolio which meets its customers' every wish. Mercedes-AMG has overall responsibility for developing the design, aerodynamics, interior as well as the powertrain, engine, suspension, brakes and electronics – right up to granting final approval for production of the complete AMG vehicle. Mercedes-AMG GmbH is also in charge of all marketing and sales-related activities for its products.

The image of AMG as the successful performance brand of Mercedes-Benz is reflected in its impressive successes in the world of motorsport and its unique vehicles. Today it is a one hundred percent subsidiary of Daimler AG and is the group's technological spearhead in the high-performance car segment. The AMG brand promise of "Driving Performance" stands for state-of-the-art technology and pure driving excitement.

The Problem

The engine is the key component of every Mercedes-AMG vehicle, allowing us to deliver on the promise of ‘Driving Performance’. Mercedes-AMG has always had adequate reporting and analysis capabilities to support key functions such as finance and sales – and primarily based on historical data. However, we have realized that a key function like engineering could benefit tremendously from real-time analytics to innovate and accelerate all engine testing processes which are usually time-consuming (e.g. up to 50mn of engine dyno time are wasted in case of a non-successful engine test-run) while the resources, especially dynometers are limited.

Leveraging large volumes of data which are complex to analyze (Big Data) are leading to additional costs for the company. Comparing current engine testing data with previous test-bench data to evaluate the performance of the engine was for example extremely complex and in some cases not even possible.

The Solution 

Mercedes-AMG – in collaboration with SAP AG Partner MHP - have built a highly innovative real-time quality assurance platform for the optimization of end-to-end testing processes in development and manufacturing. The solution delivers real-time analytics to engineers on any device to allow them get a 360° view of the performance of the engine during all testing phases – also leveraging high-volumes of polytechnical data coming from sensors connected directly to the engines.  The solution combines key technologies including:  in-memory technology (SAP HANA platform), mobile technology and predictive analysis capabilities, also including integration into the quality management module of our ERP.

The Results 

  • The result: new business processes at Mercedes-AMG with one integrated real-time platform for engine testing, development and quality assurance
  • Flexible and consistent documentation of polytechnical engine data in real-time: from test-benches over test tracks to long-run tests
  • New analytics techniques based on SAP HANA for semi-automation of the testing process
  • Accelerated testing processes and allowed more accurate decisions with real-time data coming from sensors connected directly to the engines
  • Increased productivity for engineers who can now access all information needed on mobile devices – including comparison with previous test-runs
  • Ability to not only detect issues as they occur but also to predict unusual engine behavior

The Technology

The SAP HANA platform from SAP AG company. Also combining mobile technology and predictive capabilities from SAP AG.

Metrics

  • Reduced run-time for non-successful test-drives (before: 50mn ; after: immediate halt if parameters are out of range)
  • Saved between one to several days in engine testing capacity - which can now allow us to test more engines during the same period of time and/or allocate this time for other added value tasks
  • Decreased capital expenditures

Disruptive Factor

We believe we have not only built a highly innovative but scalable platform for the future. The solution is scalable as the same approach can be applied to other use-cases: test vehicle on test-track, test-vehicle on long-test runs, crash tests, interior testing … until getting real-time information from the vehicle while being used by the customer (e.g. predictive maintenance). We really see this solution as a game-changer for the automotive industry.

Our engineers can now complete their work with real-time analytics and we clearly see an opportunity for us to get even closer to our customers by getting information directly from the vehicle to continue deliver a unique driving experience.

Shining Moment

The SAP HANA Partner Race is a contest that awards the most innovative ideas for using SAP HANA. Initiated by SAP, 26 SAP partner companies took the challenge to implement an innovative use-case with SAP HANA. MHP partner and Mercedes-AMG GmbH won the 2013 SAP HANA Partner Race. 

Our project was also presented at the last SAPPHIRE NOW from Orlando event in may 2013 and mentioned during Hasso Plattner and Vishal’s Sikka’s keynote presentation as a highly innovative use-case.

About Mercedes AMG

AMG – around the world, these three distinctive letters embody automotive high performance, exclusivity and dynamic driving pleasure.

Mercedes-AMG GmbH specializes in unique, high-performance vehicles; its sporty saloons, SUVs, coupés, cabriolets, roadsters and specially built one-off models constitute a product portfolio which meets its customers' every wish.

Mercedes-AMG has overall responsibility for developing the design, aerodynamics, interior as well as the powertrain, engine, suspension, brakes and electronics – right up to granting final approval for production of the complete AMG vehicle. Mercedes-AMG GmbH is also in charge of all marketing and sales-related activities for its products.

The image of AMG as the successful performance brand of Mercedes-Benz is reflected in its impressive successes in the world of motorsport and its unique vehicles. Today it is a one hundred percent subsidiary of Daimler AG and is the group's technological spearhead in the high-performance car segment. The AMG brand promise of "Driving Performance" stands for state-of-the-art technology and pure driving excitement.

The cooperation agreement concluded between what was then Daimler-Benz AG and AMG in 1990 was followed in 1993 by the C 36 AMG as the first jointly developed vehicle. The gradual integration into the Daimler group began in 1999 and was finally completed in 2005. Today the management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH comprises the members Ola Källenius (Chairman) and Tobias Moers.