Aikawa Fiber Technologies (AFT) and Islet Group have started a collaborative project aiming to renew and develop AFT’s IoT data processing and reporting. Islet team created a modern data and analytics platform for AFT using Microsoft Fabric, which includes real-time reporting of IoT data from devices through Microsoft Power BI.
AFT is a global supplier of spare parts, equipment and solutions, serving customers in areas such as pulp, paper, food and minerals. IoT refers to systems based on automatic data transfer performed by technical devices and the remote monitoring and control of these devices over the internet. With the right tools, this information can be processed into an easily usable form, and with the help of a data network, automatic, real-time analytics can organize this massive amount of data into useful key figures and snapshot reports.
From manual reporting to scalable architecture
Before the development project, AFT’s reporting was based on a process requiring several manual stages and tools. The scalability of the solution also relied on manual work. In the solution implemented by Islet, in addition to current needs, possible future needs and expandability were taken into account. AFT’s data platform and reporting will be expanded in stages by bringing in data from other operational systems.
The architecture was implemented using the Lakehouse and Medallion models, which have become industry standards, supported by Microsoft Fabric.
Our collaboration with AFT has been extremely inspiring. The data management system based on old technology was replaced with a more modern solution. With the new data and analytics platform, AFT can now fully utilize the potential of IoT data and get real-time information that helps them make better decisions. Microsoft Fabric technology enabled us to create a platform that not only meets AFT’s current needs but is also expandable for future needs. This gives AFT the opportunity to scale and develop operations more flexibly. We are pleased to be able to support AFT’s journey towards data-driven business.
Data transformation with Microsoft Fabric
The new Microsoft Fabric was chosen as the solution platform, and naturally Power BI was chosen for reporting. In addition, maintenance of manually entered data was implemented with PowerApps visualizations embedded in reports.
Microsoft’s new SaaS-based analytics platform, Microsoft Fabric, provides a new platform for building data architectures. Data transformations between different data layers (bronze, silver, gold) were implemented with Fabric’s Data Engineering workloads using Spark Notebooks. Data from the data layers is stored in Lakehouses and links between them are implemented with Shortcuts.
With Power Apps applications embedded in Power BI reports, manually entered data is stored in Fabric Warehouse tables and linked to the Lakehouse also using a Shortcut. With the use of Shortcuts, there is no need to separately move data from one place to another, for example, from Warehouse to Lakehouse. Power BI reports use Fabric’s new Direct Lake connection, which means that reports always have access to up-to-date data, including data entered by the user with Power Apps. All data is stored in Fabric’s OneLake, and the data ELT process and its control are carried out with Fabric’s Data Factory.
Islet is a full-service provider
Islet Group serves as AFT’s Cloud Solution Partner (CSP), which means that Islet provides all Fabric subscriptions related to the information platform as well as Power Apps and Power BI licenses. The collaboration covers the information platform, reporting, analytics, and low-code application development, as well as the maintenance of the overall solution.
Islet’s team of experts has created a modern and efficient data and analytics platform for us, enabling real-time reporting. Islet’s role as a partner and their innovative approach has been crucial in the development and maintenance of the data platform, reporting, analytics, and overall solution. We are very satisfied with our collaboration with Islet and look forward to continuing working with them.
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Aikawa Fiber Technologies Oy specializes in paper and pulp manufacturing equipment. It produces and supplies spare parts and equipment for stock preparation, screening, refining, and paper machine approach flow systems. It is part of the global AFT, which has manufacturing units in Finland, Canada, South Korea, Brazil and China, as well as sales representation worldwide. AFT is owned by the Japanese company Aikawa Iron Works, which specializes in the manufacture of equipment needed for paper and pulp production.
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