No More Searching for Software at Mann + Hummel.
When production equipment fails, maintenance teams need immediate access to the correct software version and equipment parameters. Searching through local files or reconstructing configurations delays repairs and extends downtime.
At its Marklkofen plant, MANN+HUMMEL uses an AMDT software solution to manage production programs and parameter sets centrally. Documented versions help maintenance teams identify the correct system state, support remote maintenance, and restore equipment faster.
The challenge: Maintaining software in continuous production.
MANN+HUMMEL manufactures filters for automotive and industrial applications at its Marklkofen site. Production operates in multiple shifts from Monday through Saturday, making machine availability a central requirement.
A Manufacturing Execution System connects and monitors the production processes. The individual machines and components, however, also depend on software programs, configurations, and parameter sets.
Without centralized version management, maintenance teams could spend valuable time searching for the correct files after an equipment failure. Incomplete documentation also made it harder to determine whether a program or parameter set represented the intended production state.
MANN+HUMMEL therefore needed a structured system that could manage production software, document versions, and make the required data available for maintenance and recovery.
The solution: Centralized programs and parameter sets.
The AMDT solution integrates the production equipment into a central version management system. It stores software versions together with the relevant equipment parameters, also referred to as recipes.
This gives maintenance teams access to the data associated with each connected component. Instead of searching through separate storage locations, employees can retrieve the required software version and parameter set from one central system.
Defined access rights restrict who can view or modify specific data. Parameters that must remain unchanged can therefore be protected against unauthorized adjustments.
The fast disaster recovery made possible by AMDT’s solution is a very important tool in practice. This solution provides an effective way to optimize software management and meet production requirements.
Klaus Wanninger, responsible for IT technology in electrical maintenance at MANN+HUMMEL Marklkofen
Faster recovery after equipment failure.
When a production component fails, the centrally stored data helps maintenance teams restore the required software and parameters. They do not need to reconstruct the configuration or determine manually which file represents the correct version.
This reduces the time required for diagnosis and repair. It also supports remote maintenance by making the relevant program data available in a controlled and documented form.
The effort required to maintain the documentation is offset by the time saved when a failure occurs and production needs to resume.
Flexible processes through scripting.
The solution’s scripting interface allows MANN+HUMMEL to adapt check-in and check-out processes to its own requirements. Employees can integrate custom routines and refine workflows as production systems and maintenance processes evolve.
This flexibility helps the maintenance team standardize recurring tasks without losing the ability to respond to new technical requirements. As Klaus Wanninger explains: “We always have new wishes and suggestions, because automation never stands still.”
Version management as part of technical training.
MANN+HUMMEL has integrated the version management system into the training of its technical employees. Apprentices learn how to work with documented software versions and structured maintenance data before taking on operational responsibilities.
Education and a high level of knowledge are key factors in ensuring good maintenance. They learn how to use the AMDT solution during their training so they are ready to go as soon as they are finished.
Klaus Wanninger, Head of electrical maintenance at MANN+HUMMEL
This approach makes standardized software management part of everyday maintenance rather than an isolated administrative task.
The result: Less searching and shorter repair times.
Centralized software and parameter management gives the maintenance team a reliable source for production-related data. Employees can retrieve documented versions, protect critical parameters, and restore equipment without lengthy searches.
MANN+HUMMEL benefits from:
- centralized storage of production software and parameter sets,
- reliable access to current and previous versions,
- faster recovery after equipment failures,
- less time spent searching for the correct software,
- protected access to critical parameters,
- support for remote maintenance,
- customizable check-in and check-out processes,
- standardized software management in technical training
