Customer Stories

The Value of Data in Modern Manufacturing  

For manufacturers operating hundreds of machines and generating feedback loops with strategic personnel, collecting data has never really been an issue. In fact, data continues to be the driving force behind drastic decisions made every day by companies looking to gain even the most marginal improvements in efficiency. However, it's one thing to collect data; it's another entirely to organize it and then come up with revenue-boosting conclusions.  

Tronrud Engineering, a global leader in industrial automation and packaging solutions faced this challenge. It’s packaging arm designs, manufactures, installs, commissions, and services automated packaging solutions to some of the world’s biggest brands.

So, Tronrud has a well-defined data-capture framework, but it wanted to do more with the numbers and use them to create a better performance assessment of its deployed machinery. That means better after-sales support to keep customers happy with their Tronrud packaging machines, using data to create personalized, predictive maintenance schedules, and designing clear processes for identifying and solving machinery issues.  

"Our customers need to constantly improve their uptime and cost of ownership. The machinery that we deliver lasts for 20 years or so. Naturally, our customers want to maximize the effect that these machines have for those two decades."  

Patrick Langseth, Customer Success Manager for Packaging at Tronrud Engineering  

This is where CLEVR came in. The goal was to conduct a Data Value Analysis (DVA), focusing on one machine type called Tray Case Packer Generation 3 (TCP3).  

The TCP3 is an automated packaging machine designed to assemble and seal trays or cases. Key parameters like torque (force applied by motors), humidity (which can affect vacuum seals), and vacuum pressure (used for handling and securing packaging materials) are monitored to ensure consistent output and prevent mechanical failures.  

The data being investigated was IoT sensor data captured from the machine via PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and Siemens MindSphere (a cloud-based industrial IoT platform). The DVA was carried out for the department focusing on the snacks industry.  

The Challenge: Using Data to Prevent Downtime  

Though at the forefront of industrial automation ever since its founding in 1977, it was predicted that Tronrud Engineering was not capturing the full potential of the aftermarket revenue. This could be vastly improved by acting on newly found data patterns, with some expert guidance in interpreting it. So, despite the vast data collection already being undertaken, Tronrud faced three overarching challenges:  

1- Data Without Direction  

Tronrud's machines captured data with IoT sensors and analyzed it through Siemens MindSphere. However, they struggled to derive clear next steps from the assortment of data points. For instance, anomalies in torque values were logged but not linked to operational events, leaving gaps in evidence of the correlation between data and events

2- The Cost of Downtime  

Eliminating unscheduled downtime is a key target for Tronrud and its customers. When machines failed unexpectedly, the costs quickly added up. These included repair expenses, the loss of valuable production time, and opportunity costs tied to unmet production goals or deadlines.  

Without a system in place to predict and prevent packaging machine failures, Tronrud and its clients sometimes faced disruptions that directly impacted efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.  

3- Alarms Without Answers  

Tronrud's machines are equipped with alarms that log specific failures, however more complex breakdowns are not automatically assigned to a specific alarm.
This gap prevented Tronrud from confidently identifying predictive trends. Without structured failure data, they could not fully take advantage of predictive maintenance strategies, which would have enabled them to anticipate and address issues before they caused downtime.  

So, the challenge was clear: Tronrud needed more than just an abundance of data. It needed a way to turn that data into meaningful insights that could guide smarter decision-making, reduce downtime, and ultimately keep customers happy and confident that these machines could perform well for the duration of the machine’s lifetime.  

CLEVR's Approach: Data Value Analysis  

"We needed someone to come in and point us in the right direction; maybe let us know that some of the data we've been collecting isn't very useful and that we should start collecting other data that could, in fact, be quite valuable."  

Patrick Langseth, Customer Success Manager for Packaging at Tronrud Engineering  

CLEVR conducted a Data Value Analysis (DVA) to create usable insights and clear directions from raw data. CLEVR experts also spoke to key Tronrud stakeholders, conducted deep analyses of various data sets, and used their previous industry experience to make recommendations.  

1- Understanding the Human Angle  

CLEVR started by speaking with Tronrud's team to fully understand their operational goals and challenges. Through interviews with engineers, technology directors, and other stakeholders, they uncovered gaps in how data was being used across the organization. These discussions highlighted opportunities to make data analysis work in favor of Tronrud's strategic objectives, such as identifying ways to reduce downtime, improve operational efficiency, and enable predictive maintenance.  

2- Data Exploration  

CLEVR analyzed data from two primary sources: direct IoT sensor feeds and the Siemens MindSphere analysis platform. Sensor data offered highly detailed, real-time information about machine performance, although it required significant preprocessing to make it usable. MindSphere data delivered aggregated trends and patterns but lacked the fine-grained detail needed for more complex diagnostics.  

By merging these datasets, CLEVR was able to uncover anomalies in torque, vacuum performance, and air pressure. These anomalies were linked to operational inefficiencies and identified as potential triggers for machine failures.  

3- Tailored Recommendations  

To address Tronrud's challenges, CLEVR proposed a set of solutions that would combine immediate fixes with long-term improvements:  

Develop frameworks to predict and prevent failures by identifying irregular patterns in machine data before they lead to breakdowns.  

By the end of the DVA, CLEVR had not only pinpointed Tronrud's main challenges but also delivered a detailed set of recommendations to create a more efficient approach to machine performance and maintenance.  

Key Findings: Insights That Matter  

"Although the DVA focused on the TCP3 machine, the findings and tools were designed to be flexible so they can be applied to other machines and systems at Tronrud. This approach clearly shows how data can boost our value to customers, improve operations, and support sustainable practices—it's going to help set Tronrud up for long-term success in the packaging industry."

Ajai Mathew, Data Scientist at CLEVR

CLEVR's analysis resulted in several actionable insights that would help Tronrud change its approach to data moving forward.  

4- Predictive Maintenance Potential  

CLEVR identified lag patterns between alarms and sensor data, demonstrating how Tronrud could predict failures before they occurred. For example, torque and vacuum pressure anomalies were early indicators of operational issues, allowing preemptive intervention.  

5- Alarm vs. Anomaly Relationships  

CLEVR's analysis revealed that specific alarms, such as "Vacuum Lost," correlated with data anomalies with humidity. This insight clarified machine behavior and would give Tronrud the confidence to make targeted adjustments.  

6- Shift Performance Variability  

CLEVR's clustering analysis revealed how different shifts and recipes impacted machine performance through data patterns. Shifts refer to distinct times when operators work; differences in operator techniques or shift timing could lead to variations in machine efficiency. In manufacturing, recipes are predefined configurations or settings that guide machines to produce a specific product. These include parameters like torque, speed, or pressure tailored for each production requirement.  

By analyzing these patterns, CLEVR identified ways to improve operator efficiency and optimize recipe sequencing. For example, certain recipes were more likely to cause machine stress, while others performed better with specific operator strategies. These insights laid the groundwork for targeted training and smarter operational planning.  

These findings highlighted Tronrud's untapped potential, demonstrating how its data could drive both immediate improvements and long-term value.  

Proposed Use Cases: Turning Insights into Action  

"We weren't entirely sure what to expect, but this process helped us see what we can do with our data. CLEVR showed us where we might need to collect more or adjust what we're already gathering and gave us a clearer idea of typical use cases and how to make the most of it."  

Anders Lysgaard Lemme, Software Engineer at Tronrud Engineering  

CLEVR proposed a list of practical solutions that Tronrud could choose to employ, which could help solve immediate challenges while paving the way for significant operational and customer benefit moving forward.  

1- Predicting Machine Failures  

CLEVR recommended starting to link complex breakdown events to specific failure alarms. This approach would enable predictive modeling, allowing Tronrud to proactively address potential issues before they lead to downtime. By reducing unexpected stoppages, Tronrud could lower repair costs, enhance production efficiency, and improve machine reliability for its clients.  

2- Benchmarking Performance  

To improve performance monitoring, CLEVR suggested frameworks to establish benchmarks during machine commissioning and upgrades. These benchmarks would enable Tronrud to quickly identify performance deviations, guide maintenance efforts, and optimize resource allocation. Over time, these improvements could enhance machine uptime and operational consistency.  

3- Enhancing KPIs  

CLEVR suggested developing tailored Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to suit the needs of different stakeholders, from machine operators to senior managers. By integrating these KPIs into Mindsphere dashboards, Tronrud would gain real-time insights into machine performance, enabling faster decision-making and better oversight. Improved monitoring would also allow Tronrud to offer more responsive and proactive after-sales support, strengthening customer relationships.  

These use cases not only addressed Tronrud's immediate needs but also demonstrated the potential to transform its operations, delivering long-term value and ensuring greater satisfaction for both its team and customers.  

"Overall, we very much enjoyed the collaboration with CLEVR; it's not just about the knowledge and experience that CLEVR came with, but also the passion, intuition, and curiosity."  

Patrick Langseth, Customer Success Manager for Packaging at Tronrud Engineering  

Setting the Right Course with Data  

CLEVR's Data Value Analysis helped Tronrud Engineering to turn an overwhelming flood of numbers into clear and methodical directions to alleviate very real and potential operational challenges. By taking a closer look to identify patterns, CLEVR laid the groundwork for immediate and long-term improvements that can keep essential machinery working optimally (and clients happy).  

As manufacturers continue to turn inwards and assess their own data, it's clear that there are insights to be teased out of the numbers. The key is to turn these signposts into action, and sometimes, it takes an outside perspective to do it most efficiently.

As businesses become more aware of their environmental footprint, many feel the pressure to go green and meet strict material standards. It's not just about being eco-friendly, it's about ensuring that every part of the process is compliant and sustainable. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it's something businesses need to seriously consider, especially with regulations like the CSRD pushing for transparency and accountability.

Recent reports highlight that a significant gap exists in the readiness of businesses in the EU, with only about 10% of large companies currently reporting their ESG data​ (Environmental, Social, and Governance). The challenges they face are not only regulatory but also involve a lack of effective tools for managing sustainability needs.

However, going green isn't easy. There are challenges to overcome, such as the high costs of launching sustainable initiatives and the complexities of managing a green supply chain. Many companies find themselves lacking the right tools or expertise to keep up with regulations on environmental and social impact reporting. Meanwhile, they face the added challenge of meeting supplier requirements and satisfying customers who demand eco-friendly products without a premium price.

To address these challenges head-on, Tec4U offers a solution that empowers businesses to manage sustainability with efficiency and ease. Through its DataCross platform, Tec4U has helped companies bridge the gap between compliance and actionable sustainability strategies. For years, the company has served as a trusted partner in material compliance, sustainable product design and supply chain due diligence. With expertise in material data communication, Tec4U oversees more than 400 projects annually, managing a network of over 40.000 suppliers and achieving a remarkable 167% increase in response rates for supplier queries!

What is DataCross?

DataCross, built on the Mendix low-code platform, is a communication software that integrates supply chain information to meet sustainability requirements. As Stefan Nieser, CEO of Tec4U, explains, "Sustainability is not only an environmental question, sustainability is a very important economical question... many enterprises face increasing demands from both legal and customer sides, and that is why it's very, very important to fulfill these requirements.”

The platform’s ability to automate compliance processes is a game-changer, empowering businesses to meet regulatory requirements and reduce the risk of non-compliance. Nieser emphasizes, "What enterprises need is information from their suppliers to fulfill their own sustainability requirements."

Beyond compliance assurance, DataCross provides a strategic advantage, enabling businesses to adapt to both legal and customer expectations. Nieser describes it as "a specialized communication platform, rich with knowledge and functionality."

Supporting Compliance with CLEVR

“The challenges that our customers face are very broad, so they do have these legal requirements coming up more and more. The worldwide legislators are coming up with new ideas almost every month, customers have to monitor all these requirements,” explains Irina Messerschmidt, Key Account Manager at Tec4U. “DataCross not only helps them meet these challenges but also provides the assurance they need to maintain their market presence.”

Dominik Nieser, Head of Operational Services highlights the strength of their collaboration with CLEVR: “CLEVR is a key partner, turning our expertise in data services, sustainability and material compliance into one software solution”. Together, they developed DataCross, which merges communication and compliance needs, allowing companies to manage corporate, product, and material compliance seamlessly. "DataCross addresses all our clients' sustainability needs," Dominik notes, pointing to its modularity with features like the material compliance module, supply chain due diligence, and an upcoming CO2 footprint module.

Before collaborating with CLEVR, Tec4U faced challenges due to a small development team reliant on Java and PHP, which made their code-intensive system difficult to maintain. Partnering with CLEVR and Integrating Mendix low-code technology, transformed Tec4U’s approach to software development, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness to industry demands. “The measurable improvements include better performance and cybersecurity on our DataCross platform,” Dominik added, highlighting new features like automated status reporting that saves time and improves access to real-time compliance data.

Sven Jerusalem, Head of Sales & Business Development at CLEVR, emphasizes the value of this long-standing partnership: “What makes us unique is our 20+ years of experience managing complex projects and requirements. We translate these needs into effective software solutions on the Mendix platform. This is how we Build Tomorrow Together.”

Building a Robust Platform with Mendix

DataCross, now one of the largest Mendix applications focused on sustainability, benefits from Mendix’s built-in security features. Stefan Schulze, the Head of IT at Tec4U, explains, “Mendix has been a game-changer for us in terms of security and maintainability. With the built-in tools and the ability to configure security without deep dives into the source code, it’s much easier for us to keep everything secure and compliant.” This seamless integration reduces the need for complex code adjustments, making it easier to implement updates and maintain the platform.

The platform’s adaptability is another key advantage, particularly when it comes to meeting evolving regulatory requirements. “Mendix allows us to rapidly adapt to new legal demands and security updates,” Stefan notes. “Where we used to have to test the entire system after every change, now we can simply implement an update and configure it. The built-in tools make the process much more efficient, which saves us a lot of time and effort.”

Mendix Marketplace modules play an important role in enhancing DataCross’s functionality. Stefan continues, “One of the best things about Mendix is the Marketplace. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time we need a new feature. We can easily use existing modules and build on them, which accelerates our development process and reduces the amount of custom coding we need.”

CLEVR’s support has been instrumental throughout the process, ensuring timely implementation and quick resolution of technical challenges. Stefan adds, “CLEVR helped us from the very beginning, starting with the vision of the software and working with our team in the development phase. Their expertise in low-code solutions and their ongoing support have been invaluable in getting DataCross delivered in-time.”

Datacross: One of the largest Sustainability Solutions built on the Mendix Platform

Tec4U’s journey with DataCross, developed in collaboration with CLEVR, is a testament to innovation and industry leadership in compliance and sustainability. DataCross serves over 40.000 users, helping companies manage supply chain information, fulfill sustainability requirements, and strengthen market positioning. Irina notes, “The feedback from our clients has been very positive regarding DataCross, its speed, flexibility, and comprehensive capabilities. They are impressed by how much it can manage.”

Among its standout features are DataCross’s 24 compliance modules, twice the number delivered by most competitors, which enable users to meet diverse legal requirements with ease. Irina adds, “The platform’s ability to gather data from supply chains has led to impressive results. For example, response rates for suppliers have increased from 30% to 80%, which is great!”

Building on these strengths, CLEVR has focused on ensuring that DataCross is not just effective today, but also adaptable to future needs. Gerrit Kiefer, Project Manager at CLEVR, elaborates on the platform’s future-proof architecture: “With the new architecture that we have implemented, we are able to also scale vertically so that it's possible to take one of the modules and build it in a microservice architecture. With that in mind, we are able to be future-proof for new requirements, open for new challenges, and able to extend the solution.”

Siemens Teamcenter Integration: Extending DataCross’s Capabilities

“We are now integrating DataCross into Siemens' Teamcenter PLM system to offer a unified solution that meets all sustainability requirements,” explains Stefan Nieser. “This integration covers material compliance, social sustainability aspects like LCSD, and sustainability reporting, providing a comprehensive solution for Siemens customers.”

By combining DataCross with Teamcenter, businesses benefit from an efficient, secure, and transparent product development process. The integration enhances compliance with evolving regulations while streamlining supplier communication and strengthening product marketability. Together, DataCross and Teamcenter create a powerful, future-proof system that positions companies to meet global sustainability challenges and drive innovation in product development.

Future Outlook: A Comprehensive Sustainability Platform

Looking to the future, Tec4U envisions DataCross evolving to become a full-spectrum sustainability platform. Planned expansions include new modules such as CO2 tracking, positioning DataCross to address the broader sustainability challenges faced by today’s businesses. As Stefan Schulze explains, “DataCross will transform into more than just a compliance tool, it will be a comprehensive sustainability platform. This will require the expertise and support of a strong, reliable partner like CLEVR to overcome technical challenges along the way.”

Tec4U’s leadership is strengthened by CLEVR’s partnership, which has enabled the DataCross platform to remain a versatile, reliable solution across various industries, from automotive to pharmaceuticals. "We are on our way to becoming a true sustainability partner, going beyond traditional compliance challenges," concludes Irina. This approach has solidified DataCross as a trusted solution for businesses committed to sustainability and compliance, with Tec4U and CLEVR driving this vision forward.

As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions surges, with the green hydrogen market expected to reach $12.8 billion by 2030, the imperative for companies to expand production capacities and enhance operational efficiencies has never been more critical. This shift towards greener solutions highlights the necessity for manufacturing firms, notably Nel Hydrogen in the electrolyser industry, to scale up their operations in response to this escalating demand.

Nel Hydrogen, a leader in manufacturing equipment to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, stands at the forefront of this transformation, symbolizing innovation and leadership in sustainable energy technologies. The journey towards modernization and scalability poses significant challenges, necessitating strategic partnerships like that with CLEVR to navigate the landscape of increased demand and the urgent push for environmentally friendly alternatives.

Nel Hydrogen's Journey from Manual to Automated Processes

"Where we came from, a lot of processes were manual and the way we handled data in projects was highly manual too. We needed to automate and professionalize the way we handle projects and deliveries, and we need to continue that process. So, I think that's the biggest challenge we have, besides the fact that technology is developing all the time, and it's developing quickly." - Torsten Mann | Director of Product Engineering at NEL Hydrogen

Nel Hydrogen's success was built on manual processes that have served as the company’s backbone for nearly a century. Yet, in an age where efficiency, speed, and accuracy are paramount, these traditional methods started to limit the company's ability to scale and meet the surging demand for green hydrogen. The challenges were ranging from the necessity to modernize manual operations to ensuring seamless information flow across departments and maintaining up-to-date engineering documentation. These hurdles were not just operational but cultural, necessitating a shift towards integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into Nel Hydrogen's legacy systems.

The collaboration with CLEVR was a decisive step towards overcoming these challenges. Recognizing the potential of digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency and agility, Nel Hydrogen partnered with CLEVR to automate their engineering processes. CLEVR brought to the table innovative solutions and a deep understanding of how to leverage technology in streamlining workflows, improving project management, and enhancing data integration across the organization.

The Role of CLEVR in Transforming NEL Hydrogen's Processes

The partnership between CLEVR and Nel Hydrogen started with a detailed assessment to identify key areas where improvements could make a real difference. This assessment, which involved input from Siemens experts, was focused on fully understanding Nel Hydrogen's specific challenges and opportunities. By working closely with business consultants, solution architects, and representatives from both Siemens and Nel Hydrogen, CLEVR gained a thorough understanding of the company's processes and needs.

CLEVR's approach went beyond technological integration, it offered a holistic business consultancy aiming at modernizing Nel Hydrogen’s entire operational framework. By focusing on automation, digital workflow implementation, and the establishment of a cohesive information system, CLEVR addressed the critical pain points blocking Nel Hydrogen’s scalability and efficiency. This transformation also encompassed the modernization of engineering documentation processes, ensuring accurate, accessible, and up-to-date project information, which is crucial for sustaining engineering excellence and innovation in electrolyser production.

The result of this detailed evaluation was as the following:

• Implementation of a fundamental core Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system- Teamcenter for Nel Hydrogen.
• Tight control over product designs through direct integration with CAD, MCAD, and ECAD.
• The integrated system connects directly to the company's ERP system, enhancing process efficiency.
• CLEVR's strategic move modernized Nel Hydrogen's operations and prepared it for future growth and innovation.
• Ensured readiness to meet the growing demands of the green hydrogen market.
  

The solution: Implementing Teamcenter, Leading PLM Technology by Siemens

The project's initiation marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Nel Hydrogen, with the integration of Teamcenter as a pivotal solution tailored to its specific operational needs. After a detailed assessment with Siemens and CLEVR, Teamcenter was chosen for its robust capabilities in aligning with Nel Hydrogen’s strategic and operational objectives. A key highlight of this implementation was the seamless interface with the ERP system, enabling a flawless transfer of procurement data, a major step forward in operational efficiency.

For Nel Hydrogen, the discovery phase was conducted by Eirik Hoel, PLM engineer at CLEVR, to establish their data model. This involved determining the required data for Teamcenter, the optimal way to display it to users, the specific information they wanted to add and view, and how to digitally capture their internal processes. This discovery led to configuration requests that our PLM Engineers later implemented in Nel Hydrogen’s Teamcenter.

A major focus for Nel Hydrogen was on documents within Teamcenter. As Ali Hassan Qureshi, Advanced PLM Engineer at CLEVR explained “We set up document templates (both Word and Excel) that allowed users to have a fixed template ready for use, which they could then fill out as needed. These templates were provided by Nel Hydrogen and configured by our team.”

“Another critical aspect was integrating their CAD authoring tool. I oversaw the migration of their CAD data from the previous system to Teamcenter. Given that one of Teamcenter's key features is the control of design data, it was crucial for Nel Hydrogen to have their design data migrated so they could interact with it and test configurations with actual product data” added Ali. “This migration, completed in the first half of 2023, included all their standard parts and the entire design structure of two products.”

Nel Hydrogen's prior automation and digital transformation initiatives resulted in significant increases in production capacity, improved product quality, and reduced operational costs. These changes also contributed to Nel Hydrogen’s sustainability goals, with more efficient operations leading to reduced energy consumption. "Productivity has increased dramatically since we moved production to the Heroya Facility, scaling it up by 10x and achieving a capacity of 500 MW. We transitioned from completely manual processes to a fully automated production line, marking a world first." said Torsten Mann.

Vision and Future Outlook for the Nel Hydrogen and CLEVR Partnership

The vision for the ongoing partnership between CLEVR and Nel Hydrogen extends well beyond their current achievements. The implementation phase of Teamcenter within Nel Hydrogen's operations is still in its early stages, with the goal of establishing Teamcenter as the engineering backbone of the organization. Plans are underway to fully roll out Teamcenter across the entire organization soon. Following this rollout, a comprehensive review to evaluate the adoption of additional features that have not yet been implemented will take place. Among the enhancements being considered are advanced change management modules and the service lifecycle management module, which are crucial for monitoring the lifespan and maintenance requirements of the equipment supplied by Nel Hydrogen.

Looking ahead, the objective is to expand the scope of this digital integration by including equipment tracking and tracing capabilities and incorporating a monitoring feature. This addition aims to deliver real-time data from the field back into Nel Hydrogen's database, enabling the identification of production patterns and potentially highlighting issues such as a bad batch.

By leveraging live data, Nel Hydrogen achieves a deeper insight into their product performance and production processes, enabling continuous, data based improvement.

"I think we build tomorrow together in different ways. We try to build the future by providing equipment to produce green hydrogen to enable the green transition, and CLEVR with the information technology will help us to do that efficiently"- Torsten Mann

This statement encapsulates the shared ambition to not only enhance operational efficiency but to also contribute meaningfully to the green transition. Reflecting on the partnership's path forward, the vision extends beyond the current accomplishments, focusing on leveraging digital transformation to build a sustainable future.

THE GOAL

Optime Subsea, a leader in the subsea oil and gas industry, aimed to revolutionize the sector with innovative technology. Recognizing their unique position in the engineering-to-order business, they understood that each project's complexity required meticulous record-keeping and history tracking. Their goal was not just to meet customer expectations but to exceed their own standards. They realized they were venturing into the business of maintaining their records, reliability information, and service life cycle management.

THE APPROACH

Optime Subsea was looking for a ready-to-use solution to help them focus on their core business. They explored Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) but found no single system that met all their needs.

That's when they met CLEVR who offered new ways to use Teamcenter that Optime Subsea hadn't considered before. This partnership aligned perfectly with Optime’s philosophy of having a holistic view of their business, which included not only designing but also integrating other solutions. Optime Subsea partnered with CLEVR to navigate the complexities of their business model. The partnership focused on utilizing digital tools efficiently and effectively. They wanted to avoid spending their entire budget trying to integrate different platforms. Instead, they aimed to cleverly use these tools to work in parallel and improve their operations.

CLEVR introduced them to the concept of digital twinning and service life cycle management. Initially, they chose the Microsoft ecosystem and Azure as their platforms for integration. They also used citizen developer tools like Power BI and Power Automate for insights and automation.

Most of their requirements and documents came from their ERP system and Teamcenter. They were looking for a solution that could help them manage these materials more efficiently. That's when CLEVR presented a supplier portal solution. The portal allowed the supplier to log in and view Teamcenter data, making the process of communication and document transfer much easier.

The solution was an overlay on Optime Subsea's business process, allowing the data to remain secure while letting suppliers collaborate directly into their data source. This approach ensured the security of their data and streamlined the process of document transfer.

Moreover, they realized the need for a business process integration layer above the application layer. It wasn't the low-code that CLEVR was pitching that made the difference, but the uniformity of business processes and overlaying agile integration on a function-by-function need. This insight led them to operate integration by pushing and pulling data in different systems to a centralized user interface that was web-enabled and device-independent.

THE RESULTS

The partnership with CLEVR and the implementation of their solution transformed Optime Subsea's operations. They managed to streamline their processes, secure their data, and improve their collaboration with suppliers. The uniformity of business processes and agile integration also enabled them to manage change effectively, making them faster and more cost-effective than their competitors.

Optime Subsea's investment in this roadmap has positioned them for continued success in the subsea oil and gas industry. The company strongly recommends CLEVR for other businesses. They believe that suppliers are part of their team and investing in them is a strategic move. They have been giving insights to other customers who could benefit from using the same tools that CLEVR provided.

THE GOAL

Festo is a worldwide leader in automation technology and a pioneer of Industry 4.0. The company is dedicated to innovation and constantly striving to optimise its products and services to meet changing customer needs.

For this reason, Festo has teamed up with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and CLEVR, a low-code technology solutions company, to develop an innovative new AI-based solution set to revolutionise the field of industrial automation. The new technology will enable machines to learn and adapt to their environment, increasing productivity, reducing downtime, and improving safety.

The goal of the joint partnership was to develop a prototype of an industrial assistance workplace that enables real interactive and situational learning by combining automated components, sensors, and AI-based evaluation of human motion data.

THE APPROACH

To achieve this goal, the joint partnership began developing CLEVRAssist. This powerful new software system uses AI and machine learning to give customers real-time insights into their manufacturing processes.

Festo Learning Center developed the prototype of an industrial assistance workplace that guides the user through the various steps of the partially automated process. The automation components capture the data generated in the work situations, and the system recognises, for example, whether a particular part has been installed at the correct length or whether a torque wrench has been used correctly.

DFKI identifies and analyses the motion patterns based on sensor-supported human movements captured at the assistance workplace. An AI component has been developed that collects position data from sensor points on wrists, elbows, and/or torso in a real-time activity tracking mode and performs process mining based on neural networks. The AI generates personalised recommendations tailored to the human user through context-sensitive and personalized recommendations for the next work step.

The CLEVRAssist app brings together all data streams and controls communication with the user. It operates at three primary levels: the cloud-based Mendix platform, the IoT interface for collecting all data from the peripheral devices of the workplace, and the digital representation of the data in their processes. The CLEVR application handles communication and interaction with the learning human at the assistance workplace using didactic success methods and dynamically adjusts assistance to the user's needs.

THE RESULTS

Since its introduction, CLEVRAssist has become an essential tool for the Festo Learning Center, helping them optimise its manufacturing processes and increase productivity. Thanks to the low-code technology, creating and adapting applications is faster and easier, enabling employees to respond to changes and solve problems more quickly.

CLEVRAssist's AI-based fault analysis helps reduce downtime by identifying and fixing potential problems before they lead to more significant issues.
Moreover, CLEVRAssist contributes to workplace safety by helping employees perform tasks safely and alerting them to potential hazards. Implementing CLEVRAssist has enabled the Festo Learning Center to operate more efficiently and safely.

This has helped the Festo Learning Center to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve the overall quality of its products, ultimately leading to higher profitability.
Learn more about this case study by accessing the full report here.

THE GOAL

Donker Groep designs, builds and maintains gardens, grounds, neighbourhoods, playgrounds and parks, employing more than 800 gardeners. It was looking for a low-code development platform that it could train staff to use, to streamline its administrative processes and turn employees’ ideas into new applications fast.

THE APPROACH

Donker Groep knew it wanted to work with a well-established company that could provide a low-code platform and co-operate with Donker staff to help develop it. CLEVR, a low-code and no-code specialist, met these conditions and brought extensive knowledge and experience of relevant IT and administrative systems. Donker also liked the flexibility of Mendix, the applications platform used by CLEVR.

Donker staffer Beau followed a three-day rapid development training course at Mendix and became a core part of the development team from the outset. The first application was a timesheet system. Up until then, all gardeners had to fill in timesheets, which were then processed manually, which was time-consuming and open to error. Donker had already done a lot of homework on the design of the app, had made a process diagram and had collected internal requirements. This helped speed up the development process. Indeed, that homework and adopting CLEVR’s Agile sprint-based approach to the rest of the project meant the app was developed and launched at its first location within just three months. Within six months, all 18 branches of Donker Groep were using it.

The app itself has been integrated into Donker’s administrative systems such as invoicing and salaries. Meanwhile, Beau has continued to learn more about Mendix.

THE RESULTS

Some 500 employees now use the app to fill in their timesheets, significantly reducing the back-office administrative burden, saving time and money. Furthermore, Beau has become a confident low-code developer having learnt on the job with experienced CLEVR developers and Donker has plans to train another colleague for its next app – which will be contract management.

CUSTOMER QUOTE

“Developing in sprints was new to us, but it went very well. This is certainly a good approach towards the organisation. We can make a new change every time, and it feels less colossal”

Niels Hellinga, IT manager, Donker Groep