At GCS, quality management saves lives.
About Global Clearance Solutions
Global Clearance Solutions AG (GCS) is a leading company in the security industry and a provider of safe, reliable and cost-effective solutions for the disposal of landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other remnants of war (EODs). Its services range from the production of modular components adapted to the threat scenarios of its customers to professional services such as consulting, training and operational support. GCS has its headquarters in Freienbach, Switzerland, and a production facility in Stockach, Germany.
Digitization success story of Global Clearance Systems AG
In the manufacture of robots for mechanical demining (securing landmine fields), product quality determines success or failure. By using Testify and Microsoft Azure Cloud Services, Global Clearance Solutions AG (GCS) is able to ensure a seamless quality documentation process that guarantees the highest quality of its machines.
Initial situation at GCS before Testify
GCS machines are certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, ensuring high quality in production and materials. GCS must prove that they meet the high requirements of the certification. To further increase the efficiency of its quality management processes, GCS decided to integrate the Testify solution. The main benefit for GCS lies in the digital recording of facts, which interacts directly with the documentation processes and thus contributes to solving the current challenges.
The challenges at the beginning
Only the highest product quality can guarantee safety.
Within the industry in which GCS operates, machine quality (guaranteed by certifications) is the most important criterion. Therefore, extremely strict and demanding requirements should be met throughout the entire production chain – leading to a complex system of quality checks within the quality management system. The challenge is to carry out all necessary quality checks without exception, comply with all regulations and meet all specified requirements in order to ensure maximum product quality and thus maximum survivability when using the machines.
Uncomplicated and fast proof of compliance.
Compliance with all quality standards and quality certifications must be verified through regular audits. This requires complete and traceable documentation. Previously, only incoming and final inspections were carried out, but there was a strong need to improve the quality control system towards a digital, seamless in-process system covering the entire supply chain. The challenge is to improve the documentation process while making it time efficient and straightforward.
Testify integration explained step by step
Proof of concept.
After choosing Testify, GCS began testing the new integration on one of the machines in their product range. They opted for a platform machine with various attachments (robotic arms). A team of 3-4 people were equipped with mobile devices and selected to test the Testify (web) app during their production and quality control routines. The team quickly realized the benefits of this innovative digital solution and the value of a simple tool that helps save time during quality control.
Integration into the supply chain process.
GCS appointed more products and teams to work with Testify on their processes. They focused on a steady transition to a full integration of products and production teams. In addition to the production team at the site in Germany, the purchasing department was also integrated. This enables GCS to quickly pass on information about product complaints and components that cannot be used for production. As a result, the supply chain has been integrated into the quality process and can easily interact with the production department via the (web) app.
Digital structure of the entire quality process.
All quality tests were completed in the Testify (web) app using the intuitive Testify checklist designer. Here, each quality test can be described individually and documented as a step-by-step work instruction. At GCS, a quality manager worked together with service engineers (using their practical experience) to document and describe all necessary tests and set target values to be achieved during quality control. In this way, a structured and documented quality process was established that covers all steps of the production chain.
Traceable documentation process.
The step-by-step documentation process enables every quality inspection carried out by the engineers to be performed accurately. The test results can be documented directly in the (web) app by ticking checkboxes and adding comments. In the event of errors, a defect can be reported immediately within the app, linked to the test and linked to all product components involved. This makes the entire quality process traceable back to the serial number of each product component and enables fast response times for troubleshooting.
Automated creation of reports.
Automated reports on the current production status can be created using the Testify documentation and issue management functions. Final reports can be exported as PDFs and sent to customers. The digital, traceable documentation of the entire process can be used as proof of compliance for certification renewal audits. The step-by-step description and mapping of the overall process also acts as a know-how database for engineers and helps to further improve the complex processes of quality management.
Time saving and full integration.
The digital process replaces the previous, time-consuming and cumbersome process where engineers had to carry paper files and write reports manually. “The complete documentation of all products and production processes is now in a single digital location that our engineers can access from anywhere via mobile devices. With Testify, we have set up a system that saves us a lot of time and effort and, above all, a lot of nerves from rummaging through paper files and folders in the past,” says Denis Buser, Process & Quality Manager at GCS.
The complete documentation of all products and production processes is now in a single digital location that our engineers can access from anywhere via mobile devices. With Testify, we have set up a system that saves us a lot of time and effort and, above all, a lot of nerves from rummaging through paper files and folders in the past.
More digital success stories from our customers:
From the digitalization roadmap to global practice. Evonik is driving digitalization at production sites worldwide with Testify.
The finger as a key: How Testify supports ekey biometrics as an enterprise solution.
The digitization success story of RUBBLE MASTER.
Try Testify 14 days for free
Make your processes transparent and increase the efficiency of your workflows.