In planning the new Volkswagen Anhui facility, selecting an appropriate system to achieve management effectiveness was critical. Dr. Michal from the maintenance department emphasized the need for robust program management and fast restoration of production systems.

In September 2022, the AMDT solution was implemented company-wide, covering the three workshops (welding, painting and final assembly). The main objective of the implementation was to store and compare different versions of system backups.

The main users of the AMDT solution are the maintenance departments. The software helps the maintenance department to monitor and manage the programs and versions of the equipment on site, to avoid unexpected downtimes of certain equipment due to program management and to reduce the loss of production efficiency.

Since deploying this software, the programs of core production equipment on the Volkswagen Anhui production line are automatically backed up to the server on a regular basis and managed through archiving. This frees up professional maintenance personnel from the tedious, repetitive, and low technical difficulty work of manual backup and program management, allowing them to invest valuable time in other more meaningful or urgent tasks. In addition, AMDT provides comprehensive and professional training and guidance to Volkswagen Anhui employees, enabling them to use the software and perform necessary configurations without the support of manufacturer personnel in the future.

Mr. Hu is the project manager for the AMDT solution in the IT department of Volkswagen Anhui. He said, "The AMDT solution also has a function for comparative inspection, which can help us identify whether the device programs being monitored on-site have been modified. By comparing the programs captured from the site with our defined standard version programs, it helps us monitor the production process." The cross-comparison inspection function mentioned by Hu is a key highlight of the AMDT solution, as it enables timely detection of unauthorized modifications to on-site device programs, preventing large-scale quality and production accidents from occurring.

The AMDT solution is user-friendly software. Prior to using the software, AMDT's technical staff will provide on-site training and guidance in the workshop to ensure that employees can use the software correctly. Under supervision and guidance, the staffs can carry out practical exercises and drills to better master the use of the software. Additionally, the AMDT solution supports testing of various standard devices to ensure compatibility with all equipment in the workshop before the network architecture is completed. Once the network architecture is in place, the software can easily perform version management and backup tasks. In the event of any subsequent issues during use, the company can contact AMDT technical staff at any time for online support to ensure that the company's system runs smoothly at all times.

“If a company aims to protect their production systems in a highly professional and secure manner, I would highly recommend the AMDT solution due to its many advantages. It can truly help achieve standardized and unified management of various device programs, early and rapid recovery solutions, as well as a clear overview of backup management tasks for different systems. Therefore, if an enterprise truly desires a comprehensive system, the AMDT solution is an outstanding tool.”

The next goal for Volkswagen Anhui is to increase the number of automatic backups, which means automating the backup and comparison of different systems or devices to improve overall security and minimize the recovery time of critical equipment. Volkswagen Anhui will increase the number of protected devices through the AMDT solution, which is their future plan.

The AMDT solution provides a simple and effective method for managing a company’s automation processes, ensuring their efficient operation, reducing the risk of accidents, and minimizing their impact on operations. The software’s user-friendliness also means that it can be self-installed and configured with minimal effort from maintenance personnel.