Essity and Microsoft partner on Internet of Things

Essity, a leading global hygiene and health company, and Microsoft will partner to leverage the power of big data and cloud computing to further enhance Essity’s market-leading hygiene and health products and solutions around the world.

Essity will implement Microsoft’s Azure cloud-based computing platform. Azure is a collection of integrated cloud services used to build, deploy and manage applications through Microsoft’s global network of data centers.

Essity, which develops, produces and sells many of the world’s best-known hygiene and health products, including the global leading Tork and TENA brands, began to leverage big data to deliver smart solutions that help to improve the lives of people around the world four years ago, when it took an Internet of Things (IoT) approach to incontinence care for nursing home residents. Essity’s TENA Identifi was the first incontinence care product designed to electronically track a patient’s voiding patterns. The data is graphically converted into actionable, evidence-based reports to help nursing home staff optimize individualized continence care by ensuring that the right products are being used and that toilet routines are optimized, enhancing quality of life for nursing home residents.

In 2014, Essity’s Tork brand, the world’s professional hygiene category leader, revolutionized facility cleaning by bringing an IoT approach to facility management in venues like stadiums, amusement parks, hospitals, airports and offices around the world. Through its award-winning Tork EasyCubeTM facility management software, Essity empowers cleaners and facility managers to track real-time data to ensure that soap and hand sanitizer, paper towels and bath tissue are never running on empty - lowering costs and improving consumer experiences. It enables them to deliver higher cleaning quality more efficiently by having real-time information on what is needed, when and where. This new data-driven cleaning also saves time and boosts the productivity and job satisfaction of janitorial staff. 

“Every day, Essity is improving well-being for millions of people around the world through its innovative hygiene and health products and solutions. We are industry leaders in product design and quality, but in today’s digital world we know we need to push the boundaries of innovation even further. The cooperation with Microsoft will contribute to increased value and improved service for our customers and consumers. Through our strong commitment to research, development and digital innovations combined with our strong brands will facilitate people's everyday lives”, says Robert Sjöström, SVP Strategy & Business Development, Essity.

“We’re proud to be chosen as a trusted partner on Essity's digital transformation journey. This collaboration will enable a new digital cloud platform for Essity to deliver even better products and services. By utilizing IoT and advanced data analytical solutions Essity have the capability to support their customers with world class hygiene and health solutions”, says Joacim Damgard, General Manager, Microsoft Sweden. 

About Essity

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company that develops, produces and sells Personal Care (Baby Care, Feminine Care, Incontinence Products and Medical Solutions), Consumer Tissue and Professional Hygiene products and solutions. Our vision is; Dedicated to improving well-being through leading hygiene and health solutions. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other brands, such as Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees and net sales in 2016 amounted to approximately SEK 101bn (EUR 10.7bn). The business operations are based on a sustainable business model with focus on value creation for people and nature. The company has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity used to be part of the SCA Group. More information at www.essity.com.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.