The organization of such processes usually looks like this: Employees receive work catalogs in paper form that specify the work steps to be performed. This procedure is not only time-consuming and error-prone, but also requires a lengthy training period and is therefore neither modern nor in the interests of efficiency and sustainability. How can employees be supported so that they can still work efficiently and sustainably despite such a high degree of product individualization and variant diversity? Industry 4.0 has heralded a transformation that is bringing about major changes: increasing networking, digitalization and data generation; information technology is penetrating every area in order to achieve a better integration of the human-machine interface. However, many companies feel overwhelmed by the flood of new technical achievements. Not every area of application justifies computer-aided intervention and often the systems on offer can do "too much", are too complicated and consequently too expensive. There is often a lack of transparency and the actual applicability is (rightly) questioned. Simpler systems are needed: people should not be replaced here, but supported in a meaningful way.

Optimize processes
Digital assistance systems are designed to support people in their actions. They can therefore be the key to mastering the increasing complexity of the wide range of activities in logistics. They help to optimize processes and secure people in their actions instead of making them feel insecure with complicated procedures.

AssisTable from Hüdig + Rocholz is one such system that uses intelligent software to simplify work: a digital and flexible work catalog that instructs employees during picking and packing processes on how the respective item should be processed or packed and which documents need to be attached. The employee scans the barcode on the delivery bill and on the item with the hand scanner and the individual work steps are displayed on the touchscreen monitor in short form and, if required, in detail and with images. This allows employees to decide for themselves how much information they need and then work through the steps in sequence. In addition, an integrated quality report can be used to record the services and quantities actually performed. This generates data that can be used, for example, for a billing model or for forward-looking capacity planning.

Reduce training times
Operators do not need any additional process knowledge, so there is no need for a lengthy training period. A clear process that is efficient, virtually eliminates errors and provides employees with a high level of safety: They work autonomously and independently. Creating and maintaining work catalogs is also possible after a short training period without extensive IT knowledge. The basis for this and other digital assistance systems from Hüdig + Rocholz is the System Flex logistics workstation. The software extensions can be integrated into this and adapted to various processes. System Flex already meets the requirements of a well thought-out, adaptable logistics workstation: thanks to its modular design, all components can be freely combined with each other and can also be individually and flexibly adapted. In just a few simple steps, employees can adjust the table to suit them, ensuring ergonomic working conditions. From an ecological or "green" point of view, AssisTable is already an asset: the system replaces masses of paper and thus conserves resources. The resource "data" is also used responsibly and sustainably in that - as with the equipment - only what is actually needed is processed. The intuitive system "learns" and automatically applies new information, assigns it and also creates economic key figures.

Sustainability not only refers to the responsible use of resources, but also includes economic and social aspects in addition to ecological ones: In economic terms, AssisTable pays off particularly where work is carried out with many variants and people can be supported in complex processes and value-added services. Thanks to the process reliability that users experience with AssisTable, they also work more sustainably, namely healthier, less stressed and consequently more motivated and efficient. Especially in combination with the ergonomic benefits offered by System Flex, positive effects on health are guaranteed. This also prepares us for the effects of demographic change in society.

Digital assistance systems are useful and effective when they are customized and provide clear, tailored support without any bells and whistles. When planning workstations, Hüdig + Rocholz therefore always aims to involve the customer as early as possible in the development process in order to jointly achieve a high-performance system that precisely matches the customer's needs, requirements and circumstances. With this approach, Hüdig + Rocholz is also working on its own corporate sustainability.