Faster from custom project to standardized product

Problem statement

Urban Mobility Systems (UMS) is an innovative company that electrifies existing work equipment, such as cranes and dozers. This means that the combustion engine is removed from the machine and replaced by an electric motor. The process of replacing the combustion engine with an electric motor for the first time is complex, because dimensions, materials, properties and development time are still unknown in advance.

Challenge

The challenge is therefore to standardize this custom project as quickly as possible, so that production can be produced cost-effectively. Previously, paper was mainly used to take notes and keep lists of materials and hours. The result was that there was no insight into the time frame of the developments, that material lists were not complete and that project hours were not transparent. As a result, it was a challenge to quickly go from custom project to standardized product, which had a lot of impact on investment and planning.

Solution

We started with mapping the existing processes and visualizing the process so that this could be further optimized together with UMS. This was then developed into a functional model where the entire process is developed in a clickable environment. This enabled us to test the process early so that the functional model could quickly be developed into an application. The application consists of two parts. The first component is a web application to create and manage all work orders. The second part is to show the schedule and make it clear to the quality manager and chief engineer. An app has been created for the display and input for the technicians.

Project registration and control

Each project is created by the project manager in the web application. Here, the project's various work orders are generated and then awarded to a technician or group/department. Each technician has their own tablet where the app is installed and the work order is immediately displayed. The technician sees all the necessary information, can take notes, keep a list of materials and add a time. After the work order has been completed, the order is approved and automatically sent to the quality manager. The quality manager reviews the completed work and completes the work order.

Outcome

By fully digitizing the process, all data is collected to provide more insight into the custom project, such as time, material required, explanations and bottlenecks in the work. These insights are available to the quality manager who thus has sufficient information to further standardize the project. The application also contributes to improved planning and providing information to technicians.

With the realization of this workshop application, a first step has been taken to digitize the processes in the workshop. After further implementing the application, other processes will also join in the future.

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