wpd windmanager GmbH & Co. KG
Germany's no. 1 in wind farm management relies on apps
What was the specific challenge?
The Bremen-based company wpd windmanager GmbH & Co. KG is Germany's no. 1 wind farm management company when it comes to the technical and commercial management of wind farms. Synergy effects can be used to efficiently reduce running costs. The services provided by wpd windmanager include field service assignments on site and control room activities with 24/7 monitoring of turbines.
Especially for field staff, there are many tests, checks and measurements that need to be carried out every day, which have to be recorded accordingly. Previously, this data was first noted down on scrap paper before it could recorded in the office. Entering a large amount of information into various programs took a considerable amount of time. The process was slow and inconsistent, sometimes resulting in errors in the transmission process. A lot of time was wasted before the reports were complete with respect to their content and form and before results could be forwarded to customers.
This was not only problematic for data quality, responsiveness and work efficiency, but it also made it difficult to evaluate internal cost factors.
What does the solution look like?
wpd windmanager can now develop solutions independently. With the creation of nine in-house apps, data collection processes are optimised in the best possible way, eliminating problems at their root. Mobile devices replace the bits of paper, because the field workers document and save all information digitally during their assignments at the wind farms. Once the employees have recorded the information in full, they send the data records to the office staff, who check the information and then send it to the customer using the report and forwarding function. No updating of data, no duplication of work, no loss of time. Furthermore, the daily process of logging in and logging out with the control room by telephone was replaced by the convenient app application, as the data can be retrieved immediately, which also saves resources.
What has improved?
First and foremost, the apps benefit the employees and customers of wpd windmanager: pressure is taken off colleagues, processes are simplified and cooperation is facilitated. In return, customers benefit from a significant improvement in data quality, uniform report designs and a fast turnaround time. Thanks to the simple coordination of data, the clear allocation of cost centres is now also possible again. The structured, uniform data collection process therefore also leads to an overall increase in productivity.
How does the digital transition work in the company?
The basic idea for process optimisation arose from the motivation to save time and, above all, reduce unnecessary workloads. The company initially started with a small number of app users before rolling out the tool to the entire company. The clear added value provided by the apps quickly became apparent, and it's now impossible to imagine life without them.
