Elsta Mosdorfer, an internationally active provider of enclosure systems for technical applications, has further developed its production processes. Driven by accelerated expansion, Elsta Mosdorfer partnered with VKS to transform their production knowledge into a scalable and digital asset.
Initial Situation and Challenges
For a long time, manufacturing at Elsta Mosdorfer was heavily reliant on experiential knowledge. Know-how was primarily passed down through direct communication between employees. While this approach ensured high quality, it led to limitations in scalability and standardization as production complexity increased.
In addition, the wide variety of product variants posed an additional challenge. Many products are manufactured in different configurations and, in some cases, at irregular intervals. This made it difficult to execute work processes consistently and efficiently.
Introduction of a Digital Work Instruction Platform
To address these challenges, Elsta Mosdorfer implemented the VKS work instruction software. The goal was to centrally capture knowledge, make it available in a structured manner, and ensure it was accessible to all employees.
"VKS is a helpful tool for documenting production knowledge clearly and concisely.”
Stefan Geymayer, Elsta Mosdorfer, Industrial Engineering
The VKS software enables the creation of visual, modular work instructions. Individual process steps are represented as templates that can be flexibly combined and updated centrally when changes are made.
Implementation and Results
1. Standardization of Processes
The modular structure of the work instructions has created a uniform basis for recurring tasks. Changes to individual process steps are made centrally and automatically applied to all relevant instructions.
"For each work step, separate templates are created in the VKS program and then inserted into the respective work instruction. [...] As a result, all work instructions that include this template are automatically updated.”
Stefan Geymayer, Elsta Mosdorfer, Industrial Engineering
2. Support for Training and Onboarding
The visual representation of workflows makes it easier to understand complex assembly steps. New employees can get up to speed more quickly, while existing employees can access up-to-date instructions as needed.
"VKS reduces our training times. Existing employees can access the work instructions to ensure faster progress.”
Stefan Geymayer, Elsta Mosdorfer, Industrial Engineering
3. Traceability and Continuous Improvement
Elsta Mosdorfer utilized the version history within VKS to ensure that they never lose sight of their process evolution. The integrated version history enables complete documentation of process changes. This allows adjustments to be traced and their effects to be evaluated.
"Previous versions of our work instructions are stored in the VKS program and can be viewed at any time.”
Stefan Geymayer, Elsta Mosdorfer, Industrial Engineering
4. International Collaboration
VKS offers an integrated AI-powered translation feature for cross-site use. Work instructions can be automatically translated into multiple languages, supporting the consistent implementation of processes at international locations.
"Thanks to the VKS instant translation feature, our work instructions can be sent to other locations abroad. [..] The work instructions can be automatically translated at the push of a button.”
Stefan Geymayer, Elsta Mosdorfer, Industrial Engineering
The Result
By implementing VKS, Elsta Mosdorfer has further standardized and digitized its manufacturing processes. Knowledge that was previously passed on primarily through informal channels is now available in a structured and traceable format.
The combination of modular work instructions, centralized data management, and international availability helps the company respond to growing demands in the energy infrastructure sector and secure further growth.