Innovation @ Siemens

Open Innovation @ Siemens: By Mr.Mukul Saxena- Head, Siemens Corporate Technology India Labs

Scribed by Lokesh V. on listening to his talk at CII Innovation Forum at IIM-B

It is said that Research is transforming money into knowledge but Innovation transforming knowledge into money. And the fact that successful innovations can create economic value.

For Siemens, Innovation is lifeblood.
At Siemens, around 32,300 researchers and developers at various locations in 30 countries throughout the world work on innovations. 55,000 plus patents demonstrates their power of innovation – making Siemens as one of the world’s most innovative companies. In 2008 Siemens registered 8,200 inventions. During the same period, 5,000 patent applications were filed – which amounts to 38 inventions and 23 patent applications each working day.

At Siemens, the definition for Innovation is:
· Adding high value for its customers
· Solutions for major market growths
· A Trend Setter
· Offering Innovative Technologies & Solutions for Important Aspects of Living

Innovation results in S-M-A-R-T value products

· Simple
· Maintenance- friendly
· Affordable
· Reliable & Robust
· Timely to market

Siemens’ innovations have changed the world

Industry - From the first electronic controls – to fully automated machines
Energy - From the invention of the dynamo – to the world’s most efficient gas
Turbines
Healthcare - From the first views inside the body – to full body 3D scan


Most recent Innovations at Siemens:

Somatom Definition Flash: Worldwide first CT with fastest imaging and lowest radiation
Efficient power transport (HVDC): the new 800-kV high-voltage, directcurrent transmission system minimizes power losses
Digital factory: virtual factory makes production more efficient and flexible

Tools used by Siemens to ensure the success of the innovation process
Siemens’ innovation framework enables and supports the quality of their innovation processes
The Pictures of the Future method helps them track future trends early and understand them
Innovation benchmarking ensures their technology leadership
Lead Customer Feedback – achieving success together
Their Culture of Innovation fosters inventors and inventions


Conclusion:
With the ever changing business scenarios, innovation has become the need of the hour. The ‘Picture of the Future (PoF)’ is mind-boggling, which draws the visual scenario of technology and its applications (You can download free copy of the PoF issue from net).Siemens encourages the ideas internal source as well as external sources and believes in Open Innovation. At Siemens innovation process begins and ends with a customer. The end note is, Innovation = Invention + Market success.