GE and Apple to collaborate in making industrial apps

Apple and General Electric (GE) are set to join forces to create industrial apps that will bring predictive data and analytics from GE’s cloud-based platform, Predix, to the iPhone and iPad.

“The partnership between Apple and GE is providing developers with the tools to make their own powerful industrial IoT apps,” said John Flannery, Chairman and CEO, GE.

“Our customers increasingly need to arm their workforces through mobility. Working together, GE and Apple are giving industrial companies access to powerful apps that help them tap into the predictive data and analytics of Predix right on their iPhone or iPad.”

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The two companies revealed a new iOS software development kit for Predix, providing the platform that developers can then use to make their own industry IoT apps.

“GE is an ideal partner with a rich history of innovation across the industrial world in areas like aviation, manufacturing, healthcare and energy,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

“Together, Apple and GE are fundamentally changing how the industrial world works by combining GE’s Predix platform with the power and simplicity of iPhone and iPad.”

The firms hope to provide users of the technology with a greater outlook over the performance of their equipment using everyday devices.

The partnership will also see Apple and GE developing apps for both internal and customer use that will provide workers with the necessary tools to improve their operations. One example is GE’s Asset Performance Management Cases app (APM) that looks to help firms increase the reliability and availability of machines, whilst also reducing costs and improving safety.

Exelon is one company that is already utilising APM.