DFMG Deutsche Funkturm: Digital acceptance & checklist for transmitter stations
Deutsche Funkturm uses digital checklists for the technical acceptance of installations: the protocols for the structural inspections of facilities are filled out digitally on tablets immediately on-site – including extensive photo documentation, extended freehand-sketches and the handwritten signatures of the inspectors in charge.
HybridForms – Digital forms for critical infrastructure
The entire process of technical approvals of stations – from the creation of a new process, pre-population of data fields via form automation and interfaces, mobile data entry by the responsible staff at the site to data export to existing systems – is completely digital.
Dynamic acceptance checklists with smart enterprise features and built-in process capabilities help teams do their tasks, like seamless switching between offline and online modes, automatic data sync, geotagging of photos and biometric signatures with metadata
HybridForms supports various authentication systems for correct access to HybridForms according to IT security specifications. At Deutsche Funkturm, multi-factor authentication via Citric NetScaler and an additional TAN generator on the smartphone is used for user login to ensure optimal security.
Interfaces to internal systems such as the SAP PI/PO middleware platform or IBM TRIRIGA enable a structured data flow – also across departments.
About Deutsche Funkturm
As a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG, DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH is responsible for developing the infrastructure for German mobile communication providers, broad-casting stations, operators of radio relays as well as radio networks of public authorities and further organizations.
With about 800 employees, DFMG operates around 32,500 radio sites across Germany. Among the best-known radio towers owned by DFMG are the Berlin Fernsehturm and the Europaturm in Frankfurt/Main.
»We first used HybridForms to digitize our acceptance checklists. The speed and professionalism with which icomedias implemented our requirements was outstanding.
The very good usability of HybridForms in the field was also the initial spark for many other form implementations and has additionally inspired us in other digitization projects.«
»With the HybridForms version of our acceptance checklist, we were able to optimize many processes. Documentation that used to be written on paper on site and later retyped on a PC, can now be captured directly digitally and transferred via REST API to other systems for further processing. Ideally, icomedias also offers an on-premises version of the software that allows us to meet our high data protection requirements.«
Mobile working in the field with HybridForms: Better data quality, significantly accelerated processes
and modern workplace experience
Problems and requirements of Deutsche Funkturm
The protocols for technical inspections and checks of Deutsche Funkturm stations were printed out on paper, clamped to clipboards and then filled out by hand by the inspectors on site. These paper protocols were sometimes very extensive, the acceptance protocol, for example, was 24 pages long. The photo documentation was attached to the protocol on a separate sheet as an enclosure.
The completed checklists were then retyped in the back office and entered into the central database. This process meant a significant delay in the availability of inspection results, defects and pending action items. This is now where digital transformation comes in – for more efficient and faster processes without media discontinuity.
Solution with HybridForms already in the pilot project
Learning and benefits in daily productive use
HybridForms for end-to-end digitalization in technical field service for critical infrastructure: secure enterprise features & processes without media discontinuity
Secure data & systems
Optimal security: Advanced enterprise security & features
Interfaces & data exchange
Automated processes: More transparency and full security
Rapid Return on Investment at Deutsche Funkturm
About 5,000 inspection processes are carried out at Deutsche Funkturm facilities throughout Germany every year. The change from paper-based data capture on site to end-to-end digital processes with HybridForms has had an immediate positive impact.
The benefits of this new way of working with mobile devices and digital checklists have become immediately and quickly apparent: accelerated workflows, transparent processes, consistent data sets, quickly available inspection results.