Siemens and Alibaba Cloud Jointly Launch MindSphere in Chinese Mainland

• Agreement signed to outline roadmap for further implementation

• General availability version ready by end of Q1 2019

• Strong alliance to offer Chinese customers with best-in-market cloud solution and enable agile digital transformation

• Jointly foster development of industrial Internet of Things market in Chinese mainland

Siemens and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, today reached an agreement that defines the technological roadmap and implementation plan for MindSphere's launch in Chinese mainland. The general availability version of "MindSphere on Alibaba Cloud" will be available to Chinese customers by the end of the first quarter of 2019. This marks another solid step forward since the two companies signed the MoU in Berlin earlier this year.

Siemens'cloud-based open IoT operation system MindSphere connects real things to the digital world, and provides powerful industry applications and digital services to help drive business success. Combining Siemens' PaaS capabilities with Alibaba Cloud's IaaS services, MindSphere on Alibaba Cloud will provide a comprehensive platform that offers connectivity, data analytics and industrial knowhow. This in turn will enable enterprises in China to realize novel and data-driven business models.

"We are encouraging our customers around the world to embrace the digital age: with over 250 digital offerings and more than one million connected assets, built on our large installed base around the globe," said Dr. Jan Mrosik, CEO of Digital Factory Division, Siemens AG. "The partnership between Siemens and Alibaba Cloud capitalizes on the technological advantage and resources of both companies. MindSphere on Alibaba Cloud will enable enterprises in Chinese mainland to leverage the opportunities of the Internet of Things and accelerate the industrial progress of the country."

"Alibaba Cloud's vision is to build a truly connected world that empowers our customers in this digital era. Through the partnership with Siemens, we are looking to accelerate the adoption of IoT in China and ultimately to co-create more ground-breaking solutions for business applications," said Simon Hu, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud.

On top of that, Siemens and Alibaba Cloud are committed to jointly fostering IIoT partners. MindSphere's open PaaS enables a rich partner ecosystem to develop and deliver new applications. Both companies plans to offer trainings to IIoT developers and deliver apps for industrial customers in China.

About Siemens in China:

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for 170 years. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. With its publicly listed subsidiary Siemens Healthineers AG, the company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. For over 145 years since its entering into China in 1872, Siemens has pioneered cooperation with the country with its solutions, technologies and products, and has been known in the country for its quality and reliability, technological excellence and innovation. In fiscal 2017 (October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017), Siemens generated revenue of €7.2 billion in China, with over 32,000 employees. Siemens has become an integral part of the Chinese economy and society, and continues to partner with the country to address her pursuit of sustainable development.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com), the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, is among the world's top three IaaS providers according to Gartner, and the largest provider of public cloud services in China, according to IDC. Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and government organizations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.