SKT Becomes 'Special Helper for SMEs,' Providing Smart Factory Solutions Free for One Year

Agreement on Promoting SME Digital Transformation between Jungjinkong and KASAD

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] A special helper has emerged to accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, including the introduction of smart factories.

On the 19th, SK Telecom announced that it will sign a 'Business Agreement to Promote Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Enterprises' together with the Small and Medium Business Corporation and the Korea Smart Factory Data Association (KASAD).

SK Telecom and the two organizations have formed a consultative body to support the use of manufacturing data and the activation of smart factories to help the sustainable growth of vulnerable small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises amid an unstable economic environment due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed to combine efforts to provide integrated support for policy funds, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud technology.

First, to resolve operational difficulties faced by companies that have introduced smart factories, they will form a supplier alliance and promote a 'Facility Operation Optimization Pilot Project' that provides data collection devices and real-time equipment monitoring systems free of charge for one year to small and medium enterprises. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, while 95% of companies that initially built smart factories were satisfied with the solutions, about 48% experienced difficulties such as a lack of operating personnel and challenges in system utilization after introduction.

SK Telecom will provide its self-developed cloud server-based smart factory AI subscription service, 'Metatron Grandview,' free of charge for 12 months. Metatron Grandview collects and analyzes various data such as rotation speed, vibration, and current through sensors attached to key equipment like motors within the factory, predicting the current status of equipment and the timing for necessary maintenance in real time to assist efficient equipment operation.

Through this, it will offer ▲ real-time monitoring of equipment data, ▲ alarms for abnormal values and signs of equipment failure, ▲ database recording of equipment maintenance history, and ▲ database-based equipment-specialized AI analysis modeling. SK Telecom stated that this will significantly reduce issues related to initial smart factory introduction costs, operating personnel, and defect repairs for small and medium enterprises.

Additionally, the Small and Medium Business Corporation will be responsible for recruiting and selecting companies eligible for policy funds and smart factory post-management support. KASAD will handle demand discovery through its members, provide data collection devices free of charge, and offer consulting related to smart factory and ICT technologies.

Choi Hak-su, Head of the Innovation Growth Division at the Small and Medium Business Corporation, said, "Through this cooperation, it has become possible to link various support projects, including the Small and Medium Business Corporation's policy funds necessary for smooth operation and maintenance of smart factories introduced by small and medium enterprises. By promoting the 'Facility Operation Optimization Pilot Project' through the consultative body, we will lead the promotion of data utilization by small and medium enterprises by allowing them to directly experience the digital transformation of equipment management."

Choi Nak-hoon, Head of SK Telecom's Smart Factory Company (CO), said, "This cooperation is significant in that it reduces the operational cost burden by providing smart factory solutions free of charge for one year to small and medium manufacturing enterprises struggling due to the spread of COVID-19. Going forward, based on ESG management principles, we will lead the promotion of innovation in Korea's small and medium manufacturing industry through the convergence of advanced ICT technologies such as AI, cloud, and subscription services with traditional manufacturing technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.