Cemex adopts IBM platform for suite of transformational mobile apps

Sources: Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., Monterrey, Mexico; CP staff

Cemex plans an early-2017 release of custom apps designed in collaboration with IBM iX (Interactive Experience) and creating the “best mobile-led customer experience in the building materials supply industry.” The producer will adopt a “speed-to-market” approach—pilot project, followed by user testing, adjusting the solutions to meet the users’ needs, and then scaling apps worldwide. Among early offerings is an app enabling construction foremen to manage many aspects of their ready mixed concrete orders in real-time; field tests have commenced in several markets ahead of the global launch.  

“The future for our industry will be driven by the quality of the customer experience, not just products and services. Our customers are increasingly expecting to have the same kind of experiences in working with businesses that they have in the consumer space,” says Cemex CEO Fernando Gonzalez. “By deploying IBM’s new and innovative methods of design and process reinvention, Cemex can create a superior customer experience and more readily deliver higher value to our stakeholders.”

Cemex characterizes the team effort with IBM as one of the most comprehensive digital transformation strategies undertaken in the industry, spanning agile delivery, dev-ops implementation and business process operation, along side digital experience design and process reinvention. The transformation will fundamentally change how foremen, field operations managers, cement masons, concrete finishers, truck drivers and other construction professionals do their jobs and interact with Cemex, company officials contend.

“We are committed to reinventing how work gets done using IBM iX and IBM Design as the new methods to reengineer business processes. We forged our partnership with Apple to change the nature of work by combining our expertise in customer experience design with our technological acumen,” notes IBM Global Business Consulting Services General Manager Jesus Mantas. “The changes we are driving with Cemex focus on digital reinvention and customer experience transformation at speed and scale. Our approach always starts with user experience—creating exceptionally elegant and simple ways for clients, employees and partners to better perform their jobs.”

Cemex is also leveraging Mobile at Scale for iOS, a new IBM app design and development model for the rapid development and deployment of multiple iOS apps. The integrated approach enables the producer to work with IBM to quickly and efficiently design, develop, deploy and maintain apps over their lifecycle.