Heterogeneous system landscape slows down the staff.
The engineering group of a leading German automotive manufacturer had grown into a heterogeneous system landscape over the years that provided insufficient common interfaces or data formats. Such closed constraints caused serious disadvantages, even hampering the transfer of data between various DOS, Windows, Linux and web-based applications to the extent that users would print data from one system to scan or type them in into another. This was not only time and effort consuming but also very susceptible to errors, due to the repeated manual input. Data validation was not even viable at all.
Initial situation/problem: Heterogeneous system landscape slows down the staff
The engineering group of a leading German automotive manufacturer had grown into a heterogeneous system landscape over the years that provided insufficient common interfaces or data formats. Such closed constraints caused serious disadvantages, even hampering the transfer of data between various DOS, Windows, Linux and web-based applications to the extent that users would print data from one system to scan or type them in into another. This was not only time and effort consuming but also very susceptible to errors, due to the repeated manual input. Data validation was not even viable at all.
The automotive manufacturer was looking for an IT expert to help substitute and standardise this heterogeneous system landscape bit by bit. They found PITERION. This PLM service company, based in Böblingen, Germany, has been commissioned, jointly with the staff of individual engineering departments, to sketch a new system architecture that would be gradually introduced at all sites worldwide without impairing production. The aim: To improve the working quality, efficiency and satisfaction of the staff and to save time, money and effort.
Solution/success story: A task- and role-based workplace reduces the complexity
PITERION has implemented a task and role-based workplace to reduce the complexity of the historically home grown IT landscape. Its core is a dynamic user interface adapting to the roles and tasks of users in respective process steps. It provides users with relevant contents and data that are suitably processed as their tasks require, overcoming any boundary between the systems. Verified data exchange between the respective systems is transparent and automated in the background so that the user may fully focus on the task.
Benefits for the customer: The workflow takes only seconds instead of minutes
One advantage of the role-based workplace is obvious: more working quality. Staff can use the data transfer virtually error-free because it automatically passes standardized interfaces and data models in the background without losing required system contexts. Data can also be verified for context and application related correctness during the transfer across permeable system boundaries. If any faults should occur, these can be indicated and remedied by a standard process. This is facilitated by a central entry point (workplace) available for the user: a standardized and easy-to-configure client constituting a common platform of a variety of engineering applications.
Another benefit of the new architecture: The employees save time and effort. Now they operate one user interface only that has a defined navigational concept and appearance, unlike those many surfaces pursuing different operating concepts from before. Data can be quite simply traded between applications integrated in the common client by drag & drop or copy & paste. Now many work routines that have consumed several minutes in the past are accomplished in a few seconds. New staff will also get to work on a graphic surface that is intuitive to use. All in all, a huge amount of time and expenses is saved, providing for the fact that the investment in the new architecture is quickly amortized.
The new system is very welcome to the automotive staff that now can target their core assignments and, thus, the actual objectives of their work more efficently. It is no longer essential to know HOW something is to be done because tasks can at last be solved without thorough understanding of the IT infrastructure.
The number of applications integrated into the workplace has risen from an initial 3 to about 15. About 20,000 users use this system at about 30 sites abroad; and counting.
PITERION is an international PLM service provider headquartered in Germany with branches in the USA, India, Tunisia, Sweden, Switzerland and Poland. Our highly qualified staff offers solutions and services independent of system manufacturers. We always follow the provisions of the EN 9100 (aerospace), ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 14001 quality management standards. We have set up internal standards and processes that enable us to maintain a consistently high quality of service across our sites throughout the world.
We constitute a competent and independent partner of our customers providing tailor-made solutions and services. Jointly with our technology providers we may therefore support the PLM strategy of our customers in the best way possible.