Press Releases

PTC announces ThingWorx 8.5 to help customers drive Digital Transformation to new levels

June 12, 2019

Posted by: Anasia D'mello

Kathleen Mitford of PTC

PTC announced the upcoming release of its ThingWorx Industrial IoT (IIoT) platform from the show floor of the LiveWorx digital transformation event. ThingWorx 8.5 combines new capabilities with world-class, domain-specific solutions to better serve the digital transformation needs of industrial enterprises worldwide.

Among the new and enhanced capabilities are tools that simplify the composition and deployment of solutions. Customers will be able to configure applications faster and deploy them across multiple sites and geographies. For those who want more ready-made solutions, ThingWorx also offers pre-built, pre-configured capabilities for engineering, manufacturing, and service. This latest version of ThingWorx brings enhanced integration with Microsoft Azure IoT and includes additional tools for rolling out solutions at an enterprise scale.

Functional solutions taken to new levels

Engineering

PTC’s long history in supporting the digital needs of designers and engineers is evidenced by the numerous enhancements in ThingWorx 8.5. The new ThingWorx Navigate Digital Change Management Application, the first in what will be a series, enables internal and external users to actively participate in the critical function of change management. The new series of ThingWorx Navigate Contribute Apps will expand on PTC’s popular NavigateView suite, which makes valuable information easily available and facilitates collaboration across the enterprise. Powered by the digital thread, engineers will now have real-time access to connected product data in ThingWorx to drive the design of next-generation products.

Manufacturing

With domain contribution from Rockwell Automation, PTC offers a broad range of solutions to address manufacturers’ top challenges. During LiveWorx this week, PTC and Rockwell Automation are showcasing how their solutions – consisting of advanced technologies such as IIoT, augmented reality, analytics, and MES – can significantly improve enterprise operational intelligence, digital workforce productivity, intelligent asset optimisation, and scalable production management. ThingWorx 8.5 is now compatible with Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk Analytics. Additionally, PTC will be releasing ThingWorx Kepware Edge to provide flexible deployment of reliable and secure connectivity for dispersed equipment.

Service

Maximising service revenue and delivery margins is a critical mission for product manufacturers, and for many, IIoT is the answer. PTC’s service solution suite enables service organisations to transform from cost centres to profit centres and drive product and service innovation through new IIoT-enabled business models. The service optimisation solution allows companies to improve margins by minimising truck rolls and increasing first-time-fix rates, all while resulting in greater customer satisfaction. With ThingWorx 8.5, digital service delivery is enhanced through a deepened integration with Microsoft Azure, enabling manufacturers to now use the ThingWorx Software Content Management App with the Azure IoT Hub and Azure IoT Edge.

“We continue to evolve ThingWorx and our IoT solutions to further the success of our customers and their digital transformation goals,” said Kathleen Mitford, executive vice president, products, PTC. “We are committed to exceeding the expectations of the marketplace through continued innovation, customer centricity, and our strategic alliances with Microsoft and Rockwell Automation.”

ThingWorx accolades

ThingWorx has received industry recognition from press and industry analysts around the world, including 451 ResearchABI ResearchBerg InsightCompass IntelligenceExperton GroupForresterGartnerIDC, IoT Analytics, IoT ONEPAC, and Quadrant Knowledge Solutions. It has also been heralded as the leading platform from Constellation Research and was awarded IoT Evolution Product of the Year.

Most recently, PTC was named a finalist in three of the 2019 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards, including the Manufacturing and Resources Partner of the Year (winner), Mixed Reality Partner of the Year (winner) and Internet of Things (IoT) Partner of the Year (finalist) awards.

See it at LiveWorx19

The full set of ThingWorx capabilities and pre-built solutions will be featured this week at LiveWorx19. Attendees can experience first-hand the latest features that enable industrial innovation on the Xtropolis show floor.

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