A service module for the future

The PIA Maintenance App makes planning and managing maintenance of production equipment efficient and convenient: The digital maintenance schedule provides an overview of upcoming maintenance tasks and supports scheduling, execution, and documentation. (Source: PIA Automation)

Expansion of the Digital Portfolio: The new Maintenance App from PIA Automation is integrated into the PIA Industrial App Suite, which is already used by many customers. (Source: PIA Automation)

With the new Maintenance App, PIA Automation now offers its users of assembly and testing systems a software solution that makes maintenance management more efficient and comfortable. The digital maintenance schedule includes, for example, a reminder and scheduling of appointments as well as instructions for and centralized documentation of inspections and repairs. While fixed intervals can be stored in the first version, the Maintenance App in the second development stage can also display maintenance needs triggered by events, for example, after a predefined number of processes.

It's familiar from your own car: in many current vehicle models, a warning light illuminates when the next service is due. Nowadays, many authorized workshops proactively call their customers to schedule an appointment. Ideally, they do this early enough so that the workshop appointment can be well planned by the customer. Even if, for example, the oil level is too low, the vehicle reports with a prompt to refill – and the driver can react accordingly. In industry, this type of predictive maintenance and scheduling is still hardly established. The reality is often still maintenance plans on paper and planning management that is hindered by the increasing shortage of skilled workers. However, routine maintenance is a key success factor for achieving OEE targets, because: Predictive maintenance can potentially prevent costly machine downtimes.

Digital, locally installed, and reliable

The maintenance app now released by PIA Automation addresses these important topics and offers customers a reliable digital solution. Just like in vehicles, it provides early alerts for the next regular maintenance or, in the second development stage, for event-driven maintenance – for example, when individual components should be replaced after reaching a certain cycle count. The Maintenance App is integrated into the PIA Industrial App Suite, which is already used by many customers. The suite analyzes quality and process data to ensure plant performance and subsequently optimize OEE values. The Maintenance App is installed locally on the customer's system, runs browser-based, and makes it easy for users to keep track of upcoming or overdue maintenance tasks for their systems. The digital maintenance schedule includes reminders, planning, instructions, and documentation of work on the system. The digital document storage in a central database is a significant advance for many customers compared to paper-based processes.

Further expansion of the service portfolio in preparation

In 2024, the PIA Customer Service Platform (CSP) will be launched as an additional component, complementing the digital service portfolio around the Industrial App Suite. Part of this offering will be, in addition to a request function for needed spare or replacement parts, the ability to contact PIA customer service with just a few clicks. This allows plant operators to quickly and easily request assistance or remote support, or even commission maintenance tasks with PIA. The fast, direct, and simple communication with PIA Automation and the digital service portfolio through the PIA Customer Service will, not least, become increasingly important for users in view of the growing complexity of systems and the shortage of skilled workers.