From test data acquisition to test report with just one click

GATHER Industrie wanted an automated, ERP-based process

The requirements for a new digital inspection data management solution were defined: In addition to eliminating the many analog inspection documents, a central data management system for inspection data was to be implemented in Abas ERP. In addition, the solution was to be adapted to GATHER's individual inspection process, but still be lean and ideally self-explanatory, so that the QA employees would not need any training to use it. Ultimately, it should be possible to generate a comprehensive test report in PDF format from all the test results.

The first step was therefore to store all possible inspection data centrally in Abas ERP, so that it is now possible to view all inspection characteristics and additional information such as customer and product data using the serial number of a pump. It was not an option for GATHER Industrie to set up stationary computers or laptops at the inspection stations so that the employees could access this data directly in Abas ERP: On the one hand, this would have required extensive training of the QA employees in the operation of the ERP system, and on the other hand, the recording of inspection data directly in the ERP system would have been very time-consuming for the QA employees, as its user interface is not tailored to the inspection process. GATHER Industrie and MAIT came up with the idea of using mobile devices and a suitable mobile inspection application. Due to the specific requirements of the process, it was clear that there was no standard solution on the market. An app tailored to GATHER's processes could only be created through custom programming - a time-consuming and costly process.

MAIT uses a modular application system instead of conventional programming

As GATHER Industrie's digitalization partner, MAIT was able to offer a more flexible, cost-effective and faster alternative: The configuration of a customized test data app using the engomo app construction kit, which MAIT added to its solution portfolio as an implementation partner a few years ago and on the basis of which a large number of mobile solutions have already been created. The app configuration platform enables the creation of individual user interfaces of an application using the drag and drop principle and is also compatible with the systems, databases and machines of an existing IT infrastructure. A direct connection to the existing company IT also allows real-time access - read and write - to all process-relevant data.

Small application, big enthusiasm

All in all, MAIT needed just 10 days to map the entire inspection process as an app. Since engomo apps run on all common operating systems - iOS, Android and Windows 10 - GATHER Industrie was able to flexibly choose the mobile hardware after a one-time configuration, opting for low-cost Android-based tablets. To start the process in the app, the employee enters the serial number of the pump to be tested and is then taken to an overview screen showing all relevant product and customer information, which is retrieved directly from Abas ERP in real time. All relevant inspection characteristics to be covered are also visible at a glance.

To start data entry, the employee simply selects the first inspection point by touch. They then record the information to be determined and can also view previously measured values in the same interface. All recorded data is simultaneously created in Abas ERP and is therefore immediately available for further processing when creating inspection reports or for customer queries.

The employee can also carry out the optional print amplitude check directly in the mobile application. This is made possible by the direct network connection between engomo and the measuring device (oscilloscope) with which this test is carried out. The generated oscillogram is no longer stored on a web server as before, but is displayed directly in the app and also transferred to Abas ERP. To do this, the QA employee simply clicks on the "Generate image" button in the corresponding user interface and the image is immediately displayed in the application. As soon as all measurement results have been recorded, a finished inspection report can be created in Abas ERP with just one mouse click, in which all customer, product and inspection data are stored and additional graphics such as oscillograms are integrated.

Since its introduction, the application has been received with great enthusiasm by employees and management at GATHER Industrie. Users particularly praise the application's excellent usability. Thanks to native controls and a process-oriented structure tailored to GATHER Industrie's workflow, employees can use the application intuitively and without training. The management of GATHER Industrie is particularly enthusiastic about the direct connection of the app to Abas ERP, as duplicate work processes and media breaks have been successfully eliminated. In addition, the inspection data app has eliminated transmission errors. And last but not least, thanks to the digital solution, Gather Industrie is now one step closer to fully automated work. The MAIT app has given us a pragmatic, mobile and cost-effective solution in just a few days. It makes our pump testing process even faster. In particular, the digital and automated connection to our ERP system represents a significant gain in efficiency,' says Dr Thomas Brendecke, Managing Director of GATHER Industrie, summing up the positive experience with the new app. 

More app projects already in the pipeline

The great success of the mobile inspection data acquisition has already led to further ideas for Industry 4.0 applications based on the modular engomo app system at GATHER Industrie. For example, a similar solution is planned for the inspection of hose/quick-release couplings. In addition to quality inspection, processes from other areas of the company are also to be mobilized. With the help of engomo, a smartphone app is currently being implemented that allows incoming and outgoing goods inspections to be documented using photos from the device's camera.

An app for production planning and control is also under discussion. Using tablets directly assigned to the production machines, employees will be able to access all order data in real time.