In addition to the comprehensive service network and Still service technicians, a new, digital service concept and the use of standardized components will contribute to this. According to the company, they also guarantee a high level of parts availability in the automation sector via the central Still spare parts supply.

Spare parts can be ordered in even less time

Automation systems require regular maintenance and service in order to function smoothly and reliably provide companies with the competitive advantages of automated solutions. This is precisely where the automation experts at Still come in. Thanks to industrialized production and standardized components, Still will be able to offer a broad portfolio of automated vehicles with short delivery times and a wide range of customer-specific equipment options - and at the same time further improve the speed and flexibility of service for automation solutions.

"When choosing the right partner, the efficiency of our systems is crucial for many of our customers," explains Dr. Florian Heydenreich, Executive Vice President Sales & Service Still EMEA. "With this in mind, the maximum availability of our products in customer applications is a high priority, among other things through fast and flexible service. Our customers have been attesting to our excellent service quality for manual vehicles for years. Now we can also guarantee this high standard for our first automated solutions." The basis of the new concept lies in the industrialization of the individual components and service processes. This also enables handling for automated vehicles that is comparable to that of series vehicles. Thanks to the standardization of components and production, almost all spare parts can be ordered within a short time via Still's central spare parts warehouse.

Digital twins and internal quality assurance tool for faster service

Still creates a digital twin for each automated vehicle in the company's own cloud. If components with software need to be replaced in the event of a fault, Still service technicians can configure new hardware quickly and easily with a backup from the cloud and install it directly on site. Compared to previous processes, where hardware had to be ordered, configured centrally and then installed at the customer's premises, the new service concept significantly increases vehicle availability. Another advantage of the digital service concept is the integration of the automated products into the company's internal quality assurance tool. All service processes are uniformly documented and evaluated here. In this way, customers' service experiences are incorporated into the continuous product optimization process.

Comprehensive Still service network

The digital service concept also has a positive impact on direct customer contact. Standardization makes this possible, as does a qualified training concept and the network of service technicians. In other words, all service employees continue to receive comprehensive training on all products sold in their region and can configure, implement, maintain and repair them - this also applies to automated vehicles. "With our smart service concept and the digital twin for our automated vehicles, we are setting a new standard for fast and flexible service," says Dr. Florian Heydenreich, summarizing the benefits. "We now need to gradually extend this standard to our entire automation portfolio."