Siemens is collaborating with AI data cloud provider Snowflake to help manufacturers connect operational technology (OT) data from the shop floor with information technology (IT) data, such as supply chain management and financial data.

By connecting Siemens Industrial Edge and Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud, manufacturers can access plug-and-play Industrial Edge applications to contextualise and transfer OT data into IT systems.

FFT, a manufacturing systems provider, employs the Siemens Industrial Edge ecosystem to enable manufacturers to transfer production data into the Snowflake AI Data Cloud through its DataBridge app. This solution has already been implemented within FFT’s own production lines and facilities. The Siemens-Snowflake collaboration supports FFT’s role as an integrator for automated and flexible production systems across the mobility and industrial sectors.

The joint solution – designed for production managers, data engineers, and IT leaders – tackles challenges such as data silos, limited transparency, and inefficient analytics. Siemens Industrial Edge enables integration of OT data by connecting to a range of sources, including PLCs, sensors, and other manufacturing systems. It pre-processes data at the edge and runs transformed OT data models, like AI models, in closed-loop with production automation. Snowflake’s platform then delivers actionable insights through AI-powered analytics and agentic AI capabilities.

“This collaboration brings together the best of both worlds,” said Rainer Brehm, CEO of Factory Automation at Siemens. “Siemens has deep expertise in how to bring OT and IT together on the shop floor, while Snowflake excels in managing and analysing both large-scale OT and IT data. Together, we enable customers to bridge the IT/OT divide and scale their digital transformation across machines, lines, and factories.”

“Together with Siemens, we’re enabling manufacturers to harness the full potential of their data through Snowflake’s easy, connected and trusted platform,” said Christian Kleinerman, EVP of Product at Snowflake. “The ability to apply AI across both IT and OT data isn’t just an advancement; it unlocks a new reality of possibilities for unparalleled quality improvement and radical performance optimisation, as well as new ways of process automation powered by AI agents.”