BSH Hausgeräte GmbH – Modern Production Alerting Ensures Continuous Manufacturing Operations
- =Faster response times to disruptions
- =Mobile app with an intuitive user experience
- =Efficient integration with production systems
Challenges
Modernizing Alerting with an Intuitive Mobile App and Seamless S7 and OPC UA Connectivity
BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Europe’s leading manufacturer of home appliances, operates a highly automated dishwasher production facility in Dillingen, Germany, with a daily output of approximately 10,000 units. Unplanned downtime, equipment failures, or delays in internal logistics can result in significant operational costs.
To address these challenges, the Dillingen site had been using an SMS-based alerting system since 2008. As part of its ongoing digital transformation initiatives, the team led by Digitalization Project Manager Simon Strass began searching for a modern production alerting solution that could meet several key objectives:
- Faster response times to incidents
- A modern and easy-to-use mobile application
- Efficient integration with production systems via S7 and OPC UA
Solution
Cloud-Based Production Alerting with SIGNL4 and the Derdack Edge Connector
BSH selected a hybrid Derdack solution to modernize its alerting processes. The solution combines SIGNL4, Derdack’s cloud-based alerting and incident communication platform, with a powerful Edge Connector that enables comprehensive and secure integration with on-premises production systems.
This architecture allows BSH to connect PLCs via S7, integrate additional systems through OPC UA, and receive notifications from a custom worker assistance system via email.
Every day, between 500 and 1,000 alerts are delivered quickly and reliably to up to 100 employees through the SIGNL4 mobile app. In addition, notifications can be sent through other channels such as SMS, voice calls, and email, all of which can be configured individually to meet specific operational requirements.
SIGNL4 is used across a variety of production-related scenarios, including:
- Incident and fault alerting
- Mobile notifications for material logistics
- Preventive maintenance reminders, such as lubricant replacement notifications
- Employee assistance call system in final assembly at the push of a button
- Support for commissioning and startup of new production equipment
Combined with the Derdack Edge Connector, SIGNL4 has proven to be an exceptionally robust and reliable solution for production alerting.
Benefits
SIGNL4 provides BSH with a powerful platform for optimizing manufacturing operations and delivering measurable business value:
- Reduced response times to incidents, helping minimize costly downtime
- Increased transparency throughout incident management processes
- Simple integration through flexible interfaces and an open architecture
- High user adoption due to ease of use, minimal training requirements, and targeted information delivery based on the principle of “as little as possible, as much as necessary”
- Enhanced support for assembly line employees through a modern assistance and call system
- Scalability for future use cases, including autonomous transport systems
BSH also highlighted its collaboration with Derdack, citing responsive support, customer-focused development, and a high degree of flexibility in adapting the solution to evolving requirements.
“Our overall experience has been extremely positive, and SIGNL4 has become an integral part of operations at our Dillingen facility.“
Next Steps
Learn more about SIGNL4 and start your free 30-days trial
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