Timeboxed innovation for Endress+Hauser flow to implement a Industry 4.0 solution
Internationally active, leading provider of measuring instruments, services and solutions for industrial process engineering based in Reinach near Basel (Switzerland).
More about the Endress+Hauser Group.
Customer Satisfaction, Feedback
"Thanks to the efforts of R. T., the project was successfully completed as planned."
(R.T. = Rainer Tolksdorf)
Initial situation
Each production system uses its own tools, which leads to isolated solutions, data silos, a lack of transparency and problems with know-how transfer and employee deployment. A shared, self-developed information tool is no longer maintainable and urgently needs to be replaced. In accordance with the internal Lean Innovation Standard, the replacement of the information tool with Siemens Valor VPP was planned in four clear sections with milestones in order to achieve the formulated goal.
Solution with Valor VPP and ODB++ data format
Group-wide use of a standardized Industry 4.0 solution (Siemens Valor VPP was selected) to manage as many work preparation processes as possible in electronics production using parts lists and design data in a standard format accepted by the industry.
Preliminary phase
Setup of a test server with Siemens Valor VPP and successful proof of function in milestone 1 and readiness for use in operation in milestone 2.
Success criteria preliminary phase
Successful import of ODB++ design data and extended Bill of Materials (BOM), component validation using an online database, programming of a 3D AOI (optical inspection) system for quality assurance.
Tools and technologies used
Microsoft Server, PostgreSQL, Sharepoint, Siemens Valor VPP, MS Office, MS Teams.
Methods used
Endress+Hauser internal lean innovation methods with ISO9001:2015 compliant project management, Microsoft Azure DevOps (SCRUM) and Digital Innovation Engineering from Tolksdorf.digital
Project contribution and role
Timeboxed Innovation - - Digital Engineering Siemens Valor Process Preparation VPP / NPI:
- External expert and project manager / Product Owner (Interim)
- Project planning as part of an overarching innovation project, leading workshops, specification, project management, installation and customizing Valor VPP, management consultancy, building up know-how on the customer side, creation of instructional videos and implementation in the specially created Sharepoint, training of employees, documentation, tests.
Final result
The project was divided into sprints in parallel to the lean innovation approach with Azure DevOps and successfully implemented according to initial planning. It fully meets the expectations and plans formulated in the initial situation and creates new scope for further optimization and internal collaboration. The transfer of know-how enables the specialist department and the product owner to continue to maintain and develop the solution independently.
Contact to the reference
On request.
Useful Links
- Link to Endress+Hauser flow: https://www.ch.endress.com/de?store_locale=de
- Link to Siemens Valor VPP: https://eda.sw.siemens.com/en-US/pcb/valor/