One truth, one database, individual access rights

PTC ThingWorx Navigate enhances user experience and usability.

Sector Manufacturing

Region Switzerland

Company size 300 employees

Bucher Leichtbau AG, based in Fällanden, Switzerland, specializes in innovative, customized lightweight solutions for the aviation, air rescue, rail and automotive industries. Here, about 20 minutes by car east of Zurich, and at two other sites in Germany and the USA, some 300 employees develop and produce products for big names such as Boeing, Airbus and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). For many years, Bucher has relied on PTC Windchill to manage its extensive product data and processes throughout the entire product lifecycle. The proven PLM software, which is an integral part of PTC's product development system, has long proven to be the perfect solution for Bucher. At the same time, the company has always faced the same challenge: "Because we design components for the aerospace industry, we are subject to special safety regulations. For example, we have to make sure that only selected people in the company have access to the design drawings. Everyone else can only view and download PDFs of approved drawings," says Stefanie Altenburger, CAD/PLM manager at Bucher. However, PDF files are automatically generated using Windchill by default after each design drawing is approved, and are then inextricably linked to the original CAD file. This meant that Windchill users would have indiscriminate access to the design data. This was an unacceptable situation for Bucher. The company's previous solution was to create an additional PDF file from each Windchill document and store it in a separate document management system (DMS) via an interface. Certain groups and roles only had access to this external database, but not to the Windchill database containing the original design drawings. Although this worked, the process was inefficient and error-prone due to different user interfaces, two database applications and interfaces,' says Stefanie Altenburger.

“The MAIT team is truly reliable and dedicated. I always get an honest, well-founded cost estimate for new tasks.”

Stefanie Altenburger

CAD/PLM Manager at Bucher Leichtbau AG

MAIT streamlines and simplifies processes

As Bucher's long-standing IT and software partner, MAIT was tasked with optimizing this process. Data should continue to be archived in such a way that users only see the information they are authorized to see, i.e. the information they need for a specific task or role. The new process, however, had to work without a second, separate database application and without additional interfaces that could lead to errors. And so, in just under four months, the MAIT experts, led by project manager Andreas Bollinger, created a completely new, seamless workflow. "Windchill now converts every embedded PDF file of a released design drawing into a new Windchill document. The main content: the PDF of the design data. The new storage location: a special archive within Windchill," says Andreas Bollinger. A solution that works without interfaces. MAIT also suggested implementing PTC ThingWorx Navigate to improve the user experience and usability. This web-based viewer allows users to view and download relevant product data from PTC Windchill. The ThingWorx Navigate interface is essentially a search mask with filtering capabilities. No special knowledge is required to use it. In the new PTC world at Bucher, certain roles in the company now automatically have access only to selected documents and formats, i.e. PDF files of already approved design drawings and approval documents. The exception is a small number of employees on the shop floor, who can also access the original drawings in certain cases. And even some external partners, such as suppliers, can now directly access product data in PDF format.

The new integrated PTC solution is a resounding success

Stefanie Altenburger is convinced of the obvious benefits of the new integrated system: "Previously, PTC Windchill and the document management system each required different web browsers. Thanks to MAIT, everything now works with the same operating software and in the same browser window," she says. Because the archiving and development platforms are now effectively one and the same, there is now only one database application as the single source of truth, rather than two running side by side. This ensures more efficient processes, minimizes error rates, reduces administration and server hardware space requirements, and ultimately lowers costs. In addition to the new integrated and compelling software solution, Stefanie Altenburger of Bucher appreciates the long and trusted partnership with MAIT. "The MAIT team is truly reliable and committed. I always get an honest, well-founded cost estimate for new tasks. I'm also part of the team, so I learn directly from them. This makes me more independent and allows me to pass on my knowledge internally," says Stefanie Altenburger. Sounds like the best conditions for many more years of cooperation between MAIT and Bucher.