Entering AIoT with Bechtle – From network to agentic AI.
Together with our partners, we take a holistic approach to AIoT, delivering end‑to‑end solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing customer environments. A key element of this approach is agentic Ai—agent-based systems that don’t simply respond to prompts, but use contextual information to anticipate needs and orchestrate complex workflows autonomously. This is supported by a comprehensive portfolio covering the entire IT infrastructure required to generate and process data, from sensors and servers to networking, IoT security and on-site service and support.
Process automation.
Automation of operational processes, such as generating maintenance schedules or organising facility cleaning cycles.
Cost reduction and resource efficiency.
AI‑driven control optimises the use of labour, energy and materials, improving efficiency while reducing operating costs.
Predictive maintenance.
Sensor-based monitoring of machinery enables more accurate planning of maintenance cycles and service personnel deployment.
Sensors and infrastructure.
Monitoring battery life and sensor coverage enables autonomous coordination of replacement and installation activities.
AIoT – Agentic AI makes a real difference.
The use of AI in IoT environments is nothing new. Algorithms have been used for years to analyse data and identify failure risks and behavioural patterns. What is new is agentic AI, which allows users to query and combine different data sources using natural language—for example via chatbots. Put simply, people can now “talk” to their data. At the same time, AI agents go beyond pure analysis, deriving and initiating actions autonomously based on the results.
In a typical setup, multiple agents work together on individual tasks, while humans take on a supervisory role and leave time‑consuming routine activities to the AI. For instance, AI systems can detect when a machine requires maintenance, automatically suggest the necessary parts and notify the relevant service teams. This level of automation removes a wide range of manual tasks, freeing up time and resources for higher‑value work, while reducing costs and increasing customer satisfaction.
Economy of Things – When connected assets do business.
IoT and AI together are the foundation of a new Economy of Things (EoT), an ecosystem in which physical assets such as sensors, machines and vehicles become digital economic operators. They exchange data, services and values autonomously, handle micropayments and carry out other commercial interactions without human intervention. IoT sensors provide the necessary data, AI governs and coordinates economic activity, and technologies such as blockchain provide a single source of truth, ensuring trust, authentication and reliable settlement.
One example: in a manufacturing plant, an AI system detects that a machine component is defective and needs to be replaced. It automatically orders the required part from an online shop, completes the payment, and notifies a service technician when the delivery is expected and installation can be scheduled. While EoT enables more efficient processes, data‑driven markets and entirely new business models, it also places greater demands on infrastructure, particularly in areas such as data protection, interoperability and governance.
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Use case – Agentic AI monitors IoT infrastructure.
One of our industrial customers was facing the challenge of monitoring an IoT infrastructure comprising several thousand sensors while avoiding coverage gaps caused by short-term changes to the building layout, such as the relocation of internal walls. Previously, these routine monitoring tasks had been handled manually by a product manager.
Bechtle deployed an autonomous AI agent that continuously monitors platform health and hardware coverage within the LocAware platform. The agent correlates this data with current building layouts from Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) to identify coverage gaps. Where action is required, it automatically triggers orders or maintenance requests to Bechtle, ensuring that no required service activity is overlooked.
Why Bechtle is the right partner for AIoT.
AIoT initiatives typically start with clearly defined use cases, but quickly evolve into complex IT projects. Organisations first need to implement the right network infrastructure to integrate physical assets and generate relevant data, which in turn demands scalable on-prem or cloud-based resources for storage and processing. Stable services are essential to ensure a continuous flow of data, while comprehensive OT security is a critical factor throughout.
All of these IT disciplines have long been an integral part of our portfolio. In recent years, we have systematically expanded them with deep IoT expertise and successfully applied them in more than 100 customer projects. Working closely with our partners, we take a holistic approach to your requirements—from consulting and implementation through to ongoing operations delivered via managed services. We support you over time as your AIoT environment evolves, identify new optimisation potential and handle practical details such as replacing sensors directly on site. Get in touch to find out more. Get in touch to find out more.