Mr. Burdack, what is the multi-IoT platform all about?
Burdack: Our architects and IoT specialists have created something that has never been done before, because the interconnection of different platforms is truly pioneering work. I don't currently see anyone else on the market who has created something similar. Our multi-IoT platform is not just another platform on the market. Multi means that we combine several technologies into one platform to develop horizontal services and vertical solutions. We also ensure integration between the platform and SIM management. Platform for IoT service means that we use it to provide our customers with a wide range of services for the Internet of Things. To this end, we work closely with leading IoT manufacturers such as Microsoft, Cisco and Huawei. For example, Cisco devices/sensors are used in the edge area, which are managed via Cisco device management. Data is then stored in a Microsoft environment and analyzed using Microsoft analysis tools.

What was the motivation behind the multi-IoT platform?
Burdack: Industrial companies are increasingly realizing that there is no way around digitalization. Ultimately, it's about the intelligent networking of people, machines and products along the entire value chain. This requires uniform standards and open platforms. With our cross-industry multi-IoT platform approach, users get exactly the solution that meets their needs: They can collect data with end devices from any manufacturer and process it via a gateway to a platform of their choice. We have built the multi-IoT platform modularly and can quickly dock new platforms. Customers and analysts such as Machina Research rate our concept positively, as our IoT service package of connectivity, cloud, security and data analysis makes us unique.

What are the differences between the individual IoT platforms?
Burdack: With the multi-IoT service platform, we are pursuing the 'best-of-breed' approach - in other words, finding the best possible solution for each area of application. Our analyses of the various platforms have shown that Microsoft, for example, is strong in IoT services and data analytics, while Cisco is the leader in the gateway/sensor area. The strengths of both platforms can be combined. Customers are also often concerned about vendor logins, which means that product or service components can only be purchased from one manufacturer. With the multi-IoT platform concept, we take away users' worries because we combine the various IoT platforms according to their needs. They also get everything from a single source - from connectivity to the solution. As a digital integrator, we are also able to implement specific customer requirements.

What impact does this have for users in the manufacturing sector?
Burdack: T-Systems offers a predictive maintenance solution, for example. The customer buys a standard product including sensors, connection to the cloud platform, intelligence and dashboards to monitor their networked systems, machines or devices. A big data solution in the Telekom cloud evaluates the data and registers irregularities and faults.

Which cloud models do users often opt for?
Burdack: It's less about the IoT platform and more about the architecture and where the data should be stored at the end of the day - in the private cloud or public cloud? Most companies pursue a hybrid approach. This means, for example, that the unstructured data can be stored in the public cloud and the results after data analytics are then stored in the private cloud.

Which other platforms are to be integrated in the future?
Burdack: We are currently in the evaluation phase to determine which other providers can be added to the multi-IoT platform. One of these providers is SAP, for example.