The Life Cycle Service accompanies logistics systems throughout their entire service life, ensures maximum reliability and keeps the technology up to date. Customers can configure a customized maintenance concept from six service modules. In the Support Services module, Kardex Mlog offers repairs on site or via remote diagnostics, supported by augmented reality. An on-call service and a 24/7 hotline complete the offering. Other service modules focus on spare parts, training and advice, predictive maintenance, service agreements and safety. This includes not only UVV inspections, DGUV-V3 inspections, compliance with accident prevention regulations and safety instructions, but also the mandatory annual rack inspections in accordance with EN 15635. Rack inspections often reveal defects that need to be rectified immediately.

In the event of damage, warehouse managers face high fines and criminal prosecution if people are injured by inadequately secured racking. "We offer our customers an all-round service with just one central point of contact for the entire system," emphasizes Rainer Busch, Head of Life Cycle Service and member of the Kardex Mlog Management Board. With this in mind and because of the positive feedback from customers, his team also takes on the technical servicing of systems that were not installed by Kardex Mlog.

According to Kardex MLog, it recognized the potential of the remote process early on and has since expanded it. The warehouse automation specialist has already implemented several hundred remote maintenance solutions since 1997. Today, 75 percent of support services for automated warehouses are already carried out remotely. "In future, this proportion could rise to 80 to 90 percent," Busch is convinced.

The presence of external service technicians in the warehouse is therefore only necessary in rare cases. One of the drivers of this development is the increasing networking of systems, particularly with regard to Industry 4.0 and the associated Smart Service Solutions from KardexMlog. However, the development also depends on the qualification of the system operator's employees. If a hardware defect is diagnosed in the course of remote maintenance, some parts can be replaced by the customer themselves in close coordination with the hotline, but also with the help of augmented reality if they have the relevant basic knowledge. The maintenance costs of automated warehouses can be noticeably reduced by the customer's own contribution, which Kardex Mlog actively promotes with the "Training / Optimization / Consulting" service module.