Structuring and controlling the individual qualifications via a project management system has proven to be simple and practicable in use cases. The qualifications themselves are created and managed as digital checklists within the system and can be assigned to different areas for processing thanks to the support of multi-level workflows. This can also include the classification of all materials relevant to production as part of risk management – categorization according to risk groups (technological risks, legal risks and supply chain risks) and risk level (low, medium, high) – as well as automatic calculation based on certain factors. This allows targeted processing according to priority. In this way, comprehensive planning and fulfillment control of all commodity-related activities is possible via a central dashboard.

• End-to-end digitalization of all raw material and supplier qualifications as part of structured project management
• Platform capability, integration into a wide range of systems, such as asset management, project management, ticket, reporting, shift book systems, etc.
• Mapping of dependencies and links: A checklist comprises a complete qualification, it is cross-process
• Cross-company and cross-national risk management is supported, multilingualism of checklists

A typical use case for large-scale industrial projects is the development of a new braking system. A project of this size is subdivided into a large number of sub-projects, each of which undergoes a critical design review. The respective worklist of a CDR is available in the form of task and open item lists, which are processed one after the other in different areas. For example, if the material density has been checked satisfactorily in area A, the material flexibility is then checked in area B, and so on. Corresponding lists, which are often created in Excel in a very complicated way, often comprise hundreds of processes and activities, including queries to other departments or organizations. With so much complexity, the global view of the project is quickly lost.

While conventional Excel lists can be useful for smaller projects, this is no longer the case as projects grow in size. Here, digital checklists have proven to be a flexible tool for recording, evaluating and documenting a huge number of tasks and questions (catalogs) as part of individual audits. A new project is created for each CDR process, which is subdivided into sub-projects. Associated tasks and activities are recorded in digital checklists. The checklists can be structured thematically and organized hierarchically in the individual projects. Once the checklist has been completed, it is finalized. All individual steps are then already digitally available and can be transferred to other IT systems such as reporting, ERP/SAP etc. at any time. The overall view of the project becomes clear. Complicated Excel lists are a thing of the past. This also makes it easier to search for detailed information at a later date.

• End-to-end digitalization of all types of individual analyses as part of structured project management, e.g. for product or process development, prototype construction, etc.
• Cross-company and cross-national projects are supported, multilingual checklists
• Platform capability, integration into a wide range of systems, such as asset management, project management, ticket, reporting, shift book systems, etc.
• Mapping of dependencies and links: A checklist comprises a complete review, it is cross-process

Synoset supports you in defining and invoicing technical services – regardless of whether they are provided for internal or external customers.

With Synoset, digital documents and information can be assigned precisely to the departments that need to process them within the scope of operational processes.

The system maps workflows electronically and assigns deadlines to tasks and process steps so that you can monitor response times. It is also possible to regulate substitutes within the workflows. Synoset thus ensures fast and reliable processes.

Regardless of whether your IT infrastructure consists of Windows computers, Apple devices or smartphones with Android, Synoset can be used on all platforms. The software already supports a large number of languages. In addition to German and English and many European languages, Chinese, for example, is also available as a language package. Practically any language is possible on request.

Especially in the automation and control technology (OT) of industrial companies, there is often a lack of overview, structure and documentation. Neither are all hardware and software components, network participants and dependencies known, nor is there clarity about the up-to-dateness of operating systems, the assignment of authorizations or the allocation of IP addresses and much more. The complexity of a company’s technical operations cannot be mapped in conventional Excel lists, let alone kept track of.

• More transparency. Your employees get an overview of all assets and can see everything they are authorized to see
• More simplicity. Our system removes complexity. Employees only receive the information they need to continue working effectively. Everything else is hidden.
• Less workload. Extensive automation streamlines and accelerates processes. The system does what can no longer be done manually.
• More sustainability. Once the process chain has been defined, deadlines are adhered to. Process reliability through multi-stage approvals.
• More legal certainty. EU regulations are stored and compliance is supported by global asset management

By using a digital solution, it is only a small step to turn individual completed inspection reports into clear and comprehensive reports. This helps to quickly understand the correlations between individual inspections and to derive appropriate measures, so that cleanliness and food inspections in supermarkets can be carried out quickly.

Typical evaluations in this context are how many inspections were carried out in a period of time with how many defects were discovered or whether there are particularly frequent anomalies in an area. If, for example, the number of defects increases or stagnates over time, you should adapt your processes. Cross-location evaluations are also possible; if location A uses a different cooling system to location B, the number of associated problems will probably also differ.

A picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why many of our customers use the option of taking photos directly in the checklist to better document any problems that occur.

• Simply click on the photo function
• Possibility to draw directly in the captured image
• Image is displayed directly in the inspection report

Here, for example, is a bar chart showing how many inspections were carried out by location and how many of them were deemed to have been passed. This gives you a quick insight into how the locations compare with each other and allows you to identify differences.

A wide range of search options to find individual inspections carried out, for example in a specific period, by a specific inspector, even a direct search for entered answers is possible.

The process can be standardized and thus carried out more easily, reliably and transparently if it is triggered directly from the device management (IT Asset Management, ITAM) – as in one of our use cases. This increases product quality and productivity in equal measure because the data collected on the functionality of the measuring and testing devices flows directly back into ITAM and can be used for subsequent processes.

The accuracy of industrial and laboratory scales is calculated using various mathematical formulas. This results in values such as the standard deviation, the minimum weight, etc. The formulas are stored in the digital checklists so that the employee only has to enter the measured values in the fields provided. The system then calculates the values automatically in real time.

• End-to-end digitalization of business processes and the implementation of Industry 4.0 initiatives in production and quality management
• High product quality thanks to the regular inspection of measuring and testing devices as part of quality assurance
• User-friendliness, as the digital checklist provides even less experienced employees or beginners with a kind of guide through the calibration process
• Mapping of multi-stage processes in an IT system without media disruptions

With an asset management system, the green infrastructure can be managed much more efficiently – including the services required for operation. All data relating to technical assets, faults and service requests is stored centrally in such a system, yet employees can maintain it locally and use it worldwide. Plausibility checks ensure uniform and correct data collection. The integration of barcode or RFID scanners further simplifies the recording of asset inventories. All purchase, rental, maintenance or service level contracts are also stored in the system as electronic documents and are therefore available at all times. Access to the data is restricted by a sophisticated authorization concept.

The maintenance process itself is supported by customizable, digital checklists and workflows. This begins with the registration of a maintenance activity at the control center, includes all inspections and extends to the subsequent deregistration. All inspection points are stored in an audit-proof manner. Points that are marked as “not OK” can be documented on site with a photo and then used as a ticket. The list of defects and inspection report are sent by e-mail.

The problem-solving process is also documented using digital checklists, creating a history of problems that have occurred and how they were resolved. It is also possible to see at any time which defects still exist in which turbines or solar modules. Changes can be made to the inspection log without any programming knowledge.

Switzerland is currently leading the way in the expansion of its 5G networks. One use case in which digital checklists accelerate project processes may play a role here: The intelligent forms, which can be completed online as well as offline on any mobile device, support site managers in preparing construction projects. During the site inspection, they carry out a thorough analysis of the conditions and document all details precisely with the help of the digital checklists.

The digital checklists react dynamically to inputs and branch out into various subsequent processes, as the following example shows: if the new 5G antennas are to be installed on a building, for example, the system asks whether it is a flat or gable roof. Can you stand on the gable roof? No. How many roof hatches are there? Is a crane with a lift truck required? Yes. Can it stand in front of the house?

If the data for site preparation and route and construction site inspections is recorded digitally right from the start, this ensures a high degree of transparency, speed and process reliability: no task is forgotten and the collected field information is automatically synchronized with the central project database. It can then be read out immediately and used for construction project-specific and cross-project evaluations and reports. The data is available centrally and can be used for subsequent project steps just as quickly: for example, the crane and lift truck mentioned above can be ordered and the official road closure can be requested for the day in question. Necessary safety precautions can be taken in good time, which increases the safety of everyone involved.

Obtaining feedback in the complaints process therefore involves a great deal of effort, and the information has to be entered into the system manually. This takes time and effort, is error-prone and sometimes causes quality managers to make the wrong decisions because things are misunderstood or not interpreted in the right way. Problems reach those responsible too late to be able to react appropriately. The recording of complaints is often tied to a particular location.

By integrating web-based, digital checklists into an existing quality and complaints management system, it is possible to map the global complaints processes of automotive manufacturers or other industrial companies using IT technology and to integrate all (sub)suppliers in a paperless, transparent and, above all, audit-proof manner. This means that no additional infrastructure is required on either the customer or supplier side. The (sub)suppliers also benefit from the checklist-based complaints management. They can rely on a standardized complaints process. The system can also be used for internal processes, such as supplier support.

• Online and offline complaint recording via browser or app
• Mobile data collection directly on site with “Checkware 4” for IOS, Android or Windows
• Supports current HTML 5 browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge and co)
• Easy to configure checklists in the drag & drop designer tool
• Master data management is centralized in the CAQ system
• Notifications via email, SMS, smartwatch

Sometimes “audits” are an expression for regular checks that take place anyway. For example, when the shift supervisor ticks off the most important points in his mind or on paper at the end of a shift. What is habitual can be used directly for a cross-shift and cross-plant quality and improvement process via audit management.

This is shown by the use case “Audit at shift handover” at one of our customers: This customer has established a dynamic audit process for its plants. At the end of their shift, each shift supervisor answers 30 questions on topics such as machine, material, method and people with “ok”, “sufficient” or “not ok”. The questions are selected at random from a standardized pool of around 340 questions, which is maintained centrally.

If, on the other hand, an entire plant or value chain is audited, the audit is less regular, but all the more extensive. The same applies to audits within supply chains where certain (social) standards need to be complied with. Such audits consist of thousands of individual questions, each of which must be answered in a sustainable manner and documented in a comprehensible manner.

The worklist is available in the form of thematically or process-related structured task and open item lists, which are processed one after the other in different areas. Sub-areas are created and managed as digital question catalogs within the system and can be assigned to different areas for processing thanks to the support of multi-level workflows. Communication is automated, even without direct access to the company network. The audit participants do not have to fill in anything by hand, but can check off the points directly on their computer or smartphone.

If questions remain unanswered when processing the audits, the user will find an open item list at the end of the list of questions, the points of which flow directly into a ticket system. The tickets are forwarded to the responsible departments for processing, and their responses are checked on an ongoing basis. In this way, comprehensive planning and fulfillment control of all sub-project-related activities is possible via a central dashboard, including sustainable and traceable documentation of each individual work step.