Case Study: ZEISS Microscopy achieves greater manufacturing efficiency with Microsoft Corporation and Azure SQL Database Edge

ZEISS sharpens its focus on optical excellence with Microsoft Azure SQL Database Edge

Zeiss Microscopy, part of Carl Zeiss AG, wanted to modernize its precision manufacturing and build a connected smart factory, but its existing production machines were generating inspection and quality data too slowly when sent to the cloud for analysis. This created latency, slower responses to issues, and wasted product, especially in highly precise optical manufacturing. Zeiss Microscopy used Microsoft Corporation’s Azure SQL Database Edge to bring analytics closer to the production line.

Microsoft Corporation implemented Azure SQL Database Edge and edge computing devices on ZEISS production machines to capture, store, analyze, and sync sensor data in real time. The solution enabled faster quality checks, early anomaly detection, and reduced inspection cycles and material waste. ZEISS reported improved reaction times and fewer production cycles, with the company noting it could increase output from 10 microscopes to 12 using the same resources and even accelerate some customer production processes by up to 10%.

Zeiss Microscopy

Jochen Scheuerer

Head of Connected Smart Factory