Cologne – The globally active automotive and industry supplier Schaeffler was honored in the Bavarian State Chancellery as the winner of the competition “A Place of Excellence in the Land of Ideas 2018“, an initiative of the German government and the German industry. At the center of attention was the “OriginCheck App”, which uses the oneIDentity+ cloud service platform to check the originality of Schaeffler products. Using the “OriginCheck App“, customers of INA and FAG products, such as antifriction bearings, can quickly and easily perform an initial authenticity check and initiate further steps for a definite clarification if any suspicions arise. Thus, in the eyes of the jury, the app combats product piracy and increases the protection against fake and possibly harmful products for the public good.
The basis for the check is the unique labelling of Schaeffler packages with data matrix codes (DMC) according to GS1 standards, which globally identify products without overlap as well as the corresponding “OriginCheck App“. The user scans the DMC with the app and promptly receives the response whether the code is stored on the oneIDentity+ cloud service platform and is marked as a valid code. In case of suspicion, the app appropriately supports the user with the creation of photo documentation of the checked product, by directly sending an e-mail to the brand protection team, the central unit for the fight against counterfeiting and piracy at Schaeffler. The DMC is stored in the cloud service platform, developed by the TecAlliance subsidiary oneIDentity+. Nowadays, the oneIDentity+ database comprises over 2 billion product codes mostly from the automotive aftermarket. From 90 countries around the world, the authenticity verification specialist receives enquiries about products, machines and facilities from a wide range of user groups including workshops, customs, service and logistics employees. “The oneIDentity+ service platform enables the global and central provision of our unique DMCs. Due to the flexible applications and expansion capabilities we are able to include additional services, besides the protection of our products, thus being well prepared for future challenges of digitalization,” Ingrid Bichelmeir-Böhn, head of the global brand protection team, describes the benefits created by using oneIDentity+.
In 2017 Schaffler examined over 700 suspected cases of product piracy, which were, among other things, reported via the OriginCheck App. In this way, goods worth about 5 million Euros in purchase value were secured and destroyed all around the world. The app offers customers and retailers the possibility to better evaluate the source of often safety-relevant parts and increasingly supports with detecting suppliers of counterfeits. On the occasion of the award ceremony, Dr. Daniel Dünnebacke, the COO of oneIDentity+, sent his best regards: “We congratulate Schaeffler for winning the award as part of the federal initiative and are very happy, that we have been able to play a part in this success.” The “OriginCheck” app was among 100 chosen ideas as part of “A Place of Excellence in the Land of Ideas 2018”.