The finger as a key: How Testify supports ekey biometrics as an enterprise solution.

ekey started with the Testify pilot operation in incoming goods inspection. In doing so, ekey deliberately limited itself to just one test process in order to align the Testify functions with the general internal requirements for a new, digital QM system. The simplicity in relation to the documentation quality achieved through the use of Testify was convincing – the department only needed a fraction of the time of the previous testing process and was able to gain a large amount of additional quality data. The intuitive operation of the web app and the customizable checklists were another plus. The decision to roll out Testify across all departments was quickly made in favor of ekey.

In preparation for a comprehensive rollout of Testify, the individual departments are mapping their tried-and-tested test processes in the Testify web app. ekey is thus digitizing incoming and outgoing goods inspections as well as occupational safety tests. The integration of suppliers is currently being planned. The individual departments use the Testify Checklist Designer function to create individual product groups, test procedures, test instructions and other internal checks and processes in the web app. QM employees can now document the professional execution of these test procedures and any defects using the web app on their desktop, tablet or smartphone, replacing pen and paper.

ekey pays particular attention to the creation of standardized defect categories, which enable quick and structured recording in the event of a defect. The categorization was systematically converted into hierarchies in order to obtain the most detailed insights possible into the processes and frequently occurring defects. For example, the inspection of a cable in the event of a defect can be categorized as an electrical defect, dimensioning defect, material defect, visual/surface defect or packaging defect. This strong categorization of defects not only supports standardized documentation, but also allows the Testify analysis function to optimally evaluate recurring defects, identify inefficiencies and enable rapid troubleshooting.

Not only the employees, but also ekey’s internal ERP systems (Microsoft NAV and the test equipment system Reitec) generate data that is essential. Thanks to Testify’s modern REST-API interface, Testify can be linked to any third-party system. At ekey, Testify acts as a platform and thus the heart of a digital testing system into which the existing third-party systems are integrated. The data generated from the EPR systems (such as order data or calibration of the measuring equipment) is automatically transferred to Testify and provides important real-time information for carrying out quality checks (e.g. blocking measuring equipment that can no longer be used for a test). The data generated from the Testify web app (e.g. test results) is simultaneously sent back to the ERP system and automatically triggers further processes. This two-way synchronization between the systems provides an automated data comparison in real time.

As an enterprise solution, Testify saves ekey a considerable amount of time and provides documentation quality in operational QM management, as well as in the verification of product safety. Thanks to the digital documentation, every quality test can be traced back to individual product components in an audit-proof manner. This means that complete documentation and automatically generated reports are available at the touch of a button.

ekey utilizes all available Testify functions to build a coordinated, comprehensive, digital QM system. Real-time analysis of the data from all integrated systems provides the basis for continuous improvement and further development of the quality processes.
By implementing Testify as a platform, ekey is a prime example of the possibilities that Testify opens up for making complex, cross-divisional quality processes digitally efficient, coordinable and documentable in a standardized way. The Testify platform thus contributes to the high reliability and security of the ekey finger scanners.

To operate Testify at ekey, the software is hosted on ekey’s own Microsoft Azure infrastructure (private cloud) and uses various Azure services such as Application Insights, Azure SQL Server, Storage Accounts, App Service Plan & Azure VM.

For the detailed checklist evaluations, ekey uses PowerBi Pro, which is directly integrated into Testify as a reporting tool and provides analyses of checks and test procedures at the touch of a button.