Maintenance has long been a top priority in industry. High availability of equipment and infrastructure is sometimes of vital importance to businesses. For this reason, WAFIOS AG from Reutlingen acquired and further developed the connectavo maintenance platform in 2019.
“Our main goal was to offer our customers a versatile solution for their maintenance tasks. We also have the same requirements for our own machinery,” explains Dennis Griesinger, Head of Digital Services at WAFIOS. “We control over 500 systems in mechanical production for manufacturing components for our machines and tools at several locations in Germany. When we talk about maintenance software, we know the demands that need to be met day in and day out.”
Holistic maintenance doesn't stop at the machine.
connectavo goes far beyond machine and plant maintenance. The software also covers building, property, and fleet management. Machine and plant maintenance includes, for example, the planning, coordination, and analysis of routine tasks such as machine lubrication, wear checks, and the like. All measures can be documented. Automatic recording of fault messages with push notifications is also possible.
Building and facility management encompasses the entire infrastructure, including heating systems, cranes, compressed air systems, and elevators. Functions are also available for safety-relevant equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire doors, and fire suppression systems. Maintenance and repair work can be coordinated across multiple locations. Fleet management allows for the planning of service and repair work for all vehicles. This includes, for example, reminders for legally required vehicle inspections. Corresponding documentation is also possible.
Griesinger: “connectavo is a holistic solution for industrial companies for planned and unplanned events. No area is left out, because the software can be fed with a wide variety of assets.”
Independent thanks to the app
The software displays the company's infrastructure in a tree structure. Documents, maintenance plans, images, and other information can be attached to each item. Users can customize objects and assign them to specific responsible parties. Furthermore, various analyses can be performed, such as comparing individual assets in terms of downtime and costs. Users can also record all actions taken in a history log.
Another innovative feature is a self-learning knowledge database with automatic recommendations.
connectavo is a cloud-based solution. The servers run in a dedicated data center within Germany, ensuring the highest level of security. Users access the system via a browser or a smartphone app (Android, iOS). The latter allows users to access the system from anywhere. The system sends individual notifications as needed, keeping the responsible personnel informed at all times. Conversely, external users can submit reports to the system or initiate processes, such as damage reports or the procurement of consumables.
Individual adjustments
The user simply inserts their data into the prepared file. For larger data sets, a CSV file is used. "For large datasets, we support customers during the onboarding process," adds Griesinger. "However, the software is fundamentally designed so that data maintenance can be done independently. For example, the user can grant permissions and rename categories; in short, they can customize the system to their individual needs." Documents can also be marked as "required for review" and are therefore always readily available.
Regarding development: since acquiring the platform, this has been based at WAFIOS' headquarters in Reutlingen. A team of 14 people is currently responsible for the further development and support of the software. "New customers are investing in a future-proof solution for their current and future tasks," emphasizes Dennis Griesinger. "If interested, we would be happy to give an online presentation of the system. We can also present the software live at one of our plants upon request or activate test access."
Also read our article at ReThink Industry.