Microsoft HoloLens not only helps service employees visualize faults early on. When the technicians are on-site, their data glasses give them access to technical data and expert information, while leaving both their hands free to work. “This results in significant time savings and reduces stress for both technicians and customers,” says Thyssenkrupp Elevator . Initial experiments with the mixed reality glasses suggest up to four times faster maintenance.

With the MAX product, the company has also developed the first predictive maintenance system for elevators. The cabins are networked with a system based on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This allows precise monitoring of all functions, including operating speed, capacities, and door-closing mechanisms. Moreover, Thyssenkrupp Elevator states that, “the data collected in real time is analyzed in the cloud.” The technician receives precise system diagnostics practically from the elevator itself. MAX will be further developed and should anticipate maintenance needs in the future even before signs of downtime show up.

Prof. Dr. Markus Thomzik , Managing Director of the Bochum Institute for Applied Innovation Research, believes that Facility Services offer other approaches to digitization as well. In an article for Management Circle , he mentions biometric systems, as an example. Such systems would be able to raise efficiency reserves for access controls and space allocation concepts. Miniaturized sensors could also enable more detailed real-time building usage analysis.