Background
In all sectors of the German economy, complex products require analytics of the current state across the entire value chain. The automotive industry, for example, relies on analytical quality assurance procedures for innovative materials and manufacturing techniques. Private-sector engineering and appraisal offices in the construction sector require appraisal services for energy-efficient new construction projects or ecological refurbishment of old buildings. External service providers take samples on site and analyze them in their own laboratories. The time-critical factor is the connected processes, which can offer considerable added value for all parties involved with the digitization of the surrounding processes, the standardization of procedures and the central provision of results and data. Currently, there are no smart service platforms available on the market for linking physical samples and results from analytical processes.
Goals
The aim of the project is to develop a digital smart service platform that enables the standardized and centralized provision of results obtained and data from analytical procedures. The platform is intended to provide a link between physical samples and results from analytical procedures and thus achieve significant added value for all stakeholders. In addition, a remote assistant will support sample collection so that even inexperienced persons can perform it.
In particular, it is intended to support smaller assessor offices and provide them with easier access to new procedures so that they can also offer new services. Larger analytical laboratories also have a need for a specifically adapted digital support platform. The project thus aims to contribute to the digitization of analytical processes in industry and other sectors and to make these processes more efficient and cost-effective.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
In the SmartAlyse system, all information related to the sampling and analysis process is united and combined in one place. Both technical and administrative information are connected in one system and are processed individually, depending on the user and the application.
DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION
The integration of a mobile application enables time and location-independent documentation of the entire analysis process. This aspect of digitalisation enables distributed working and also allows customers to access information about their jobs asynchronously.
REMOTE ASSISTANT
Not only the retrieval of information at a distance is relevant, the support of an expert may also be necessary. That is why the Remote Assistant is an essential part of the SmartAlyse system. This allows experts to connect live via AR headset or camera from smartphone or tablet and support them in individual process steps. This tool is also helpful for contact with customers and enables them to get an on-site impression without having to travel a long way.
LOW-THRESHOLD ACCESS
Due to the different stakeholders of SamrtAlyse, there are different ways and applications to work with the system. The technicians in the field, who take care of the documentation, preparation and collection of samples, need a flexible and clear structured application for a mobile device. The customers, on the other hand, have other needs and can access the needed information via an easily accessible web application in their browser. In this way, everyone gets access to the system that is adapted to his/her needs.
The Project
SmartAlyse is an innovative research project within the funding programme of the “Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand“ (ZIM), which means “Central Innovation Programme for small and medium-sized enterprises“, with a duration of 2 years. The development of the digital smart service platform for monitoring and coordinating analytical procedures enables a new form of process communication and smooth documentation of analytical procedures. The newly developed application builds on previous research and application development by the individual partners and combines these, enriched with new components, to create a future-proof product. For the duration of the project, this will be evaluated and optimised in a field trial on Helgoland using the example of materials research in relation to corrosion by Fraunhofer IFAM. The adverse conditions there on the breakwater, under the influence of wind and weather, pose particular challenges for the application and its users. This use under harsh conditions in the field is an exciting challenge that the SmartAlyse team is happy to take on!
This Project is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag.
Partner
