“Technological innovation represents a major commitment for Tenova and a crucial factor in the company’s growth strategy, and we found in Microsoft a key ally to bring about digital transformation," said Tenova chief executive Andrea Lovato in a statement. 

"Thanks to cloud computing, the Internet of Things and machine-learning technologies by Microsoft, we are able to develop an Industry 4.0 solution, which represents our best recipe to contribute the future of the iron and steel industry. The goal is to make plants always more intelligent and connected, to offer services of high added value by analyzing the data from machines to optimize production, and to help our customers to achieve their business objectives.”

Tenova said the solution is based on three main elements – sensors and actuators, decentralized intelligence and supplier-customer interaction. The solution is supported by Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, which will provide the computational horsepower and algorithms enabling the system. 

“The Italian iron and steel industry represents a driving sector of the European manufacturing industry. In order to preserve the Italian competitive advantage, it is fundamental to invest in technological innovation,” said Fabio Moioli, Microsoft Italy’s enterprise services division director. 

“This is the path that Tenova has decided to follow together with Microsoft, by developing a brand-new industrial solution which enables iron and steel firms to optimize their productive performances and safeguard the qualitative standard of products.”