Case Study: ZF OPENMATICS achieves scalable, status-aware asset tracking with Microsoft Azure from Microsoft Corporation

ZF uses the cloud to keep track of vehicles and containers

ZF OPENMATICS, a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, wanted to launch a new asset-tracking solution that could monitor not only the location of vehicles and containers, but also their status. The challenge was building a scalable, stable software platform without heavy upfront infrastructure costs. Microsoft Corporation’s Azure services, including Azure IoT Hub, Azure Event Hubs, Azure Stream Analytics, and Azure Service Bus, provided the cloud foundation for the deTAGtive solution.

Microsoft Corporation helped ZF OPENMATICS deliver deTAGtive as a flexible cloud-based platform using Bluetooth TAGs, connected devices, and Azure-powered analytics and reporting. The solution enabled status monitoring such as temperature and vibration, improved quality checks, integrated with systems like SAP, and supported customer-specific reports through Power BI on Azure. Around 20,000 TAGs are now registered, and the infrastructure investment reportedly paid off within three months, generating ongoing productivity and cost savings.

ZF OPENMATICS

Christoph Tietz

Head of Software Development – deTAGtive