In practice, IWS Industrie-Werkschutz GmbH from Aschaffenburg takes on central security tasks, for example at Frankfurt Airport, where its employees are responsible for access control, plant security and reception management. IWS teams also support freight handling with logistical expertise, for example by providing and palletizing shipments. In addition, IWS security staff are deployed at locations throughout the Rhine-Main region, where they inspect premises, warehouses and vehicles, carry out cash and valuables transportation as well as patrol and intervention services, thus actively contributing to theft prevention, among other things.

In the past, process and system audits were traditionally carried out on paper: auditors (often facility managers) filled out forms on site, transferred the results to additional lists and restructured the data until the QMB (Quality Management Representative) was able to evaluate any anomalies. A typical working day with 5 to 6 inspections required up to two days of analog post-processing.

The goal was clear: IWS wanted to move away from paper, monitor inspections remotely, provide customers with complete audit reports including photos and simplify and significantly speed up the overall quality management processes. Another requirement was the ability to carry out evaluations quickly and clearly, including using various filters.

Solution

In its search for a suitable solution, IWS came across cluetec Audit during its own research. Several competitors were examined, but ease of use and clarity tipped the scales in favor of cluetec.

Initially, the concrete added value was not immediately tangible for the management. However, it quickly became clear that customers reacted very positively, especially when proof of actions was required

Results and benefits

With the introduction of cluetec audit, paper-based processes have been completely replaced. Audits can now be directly recorded digitally – including photos – and are immediately available for evaluation.

The result: significant time savings due to the elimination of duplicate data entry, faster implementation of actions thanks to clear escalation levels, full transparency of open issues and a noticeable increase in quality, as previously unprocessed issues are now efficiently tracked and closed.

Practical experience

Since the introduction of the solution, new potential has repeatedly come to light. From optimized checklists to more targeted system audits. Several adjustments have also been made during ongoing operations in order to make optimum use of cluetec Audit.

Digitization is also leading to an internal cultural change: more and more colleagues are recognizing the added value and actively using the solution. The quality of the evaluations has increased significantly as a result.

A look into the future

IWS plans to use cluetec Audit even more in the future. In particular for the presentation of evaluated results to customers using the Power BI module. Another focus is on the continuous improvement of processes and the expansion of systematic action tracking.

SUSS, equipment manufacturer for semiconductor production, relies on cluetec Audit Software. The SUSS Group develops and manufactures systems and process solutions for microstructure applications – an area in which SUSS has over 75 years of experience. The portfolio includes a wide range of products and solutions for back-end lithography, wafer bonding and photomask cleaning.

Initial situation

As innovative as production is at SUSS, a leading manufacturer of system and process solutions for microstructuring in the semiconductor industry and related markets, the approach to internal and external audits was traditional for a long time. These were carried out in Excel according to industry standards.

A high maintenance effort, manual tracking of actions and time-consuming and error-prone evaluations were disadvantages that needed to be optimized: away from rigid Excel tables and towards a digital, dynamic audit process that creates transparency and enables continuous improvements.

Goals & expectations

SUSS is pursuing specific goals with the introduction of cluetec Audit. The focus is on the digitization of all audit processes, with the aim of significantly increasing efficiency and transparency. Those responsible not only want to document the results more quickly, but also prepare them visually and thus create a better basis for decision-making.

The use of mobile devices such as iPads to carry out audits directly on site is also particularly important. Instead of using pen and paper, which leads to an enormous amount of work in follow-up, audits are carried out on tablets. Photos, notes and comments are recorded directly, free from media disruptions.

Another decisive factor is the audit software’s sophisticated action management. Clear responsibilities, structured processes and, last but not least, automated escalation levels not only save time, but also ensure real and sustainable improvements.

Project progress & implementation

The implementation of cluetec Audit at SUSS took place in stages. With the start of the project in November 2023, the existing questionnaires of the audit software were fundamentally revised and tailored to the specific requirements of the company. The content preparation was already completed in March 2024. Just a few months later, in June 2024, the first audit with the new solution was successfully carried out in the area of digitization. After around a year, the software was fully implemented in the audit processes. This was a deliberately planned period in order to be able to meet the necessary coordination and preparation requirements. Since the successful launch, the use of the solution has been continuously expanded. For maximum transparency, for example, separate dashboards have been developed in the integrated Power BI module. In addition to system audits, cluetec Audit has also been used for supplier audits and potential analyses since the beginning of 2025.

Another added value lies in the possibility of integrating international locations such as the plant in Taiwan. Thanks to the simple language selection, SUSS ensures that audits can be carried out in different languages without any problems. This ensures that audits are carried out according to uniform standards worldwide and that results can be transparently compared across locations.

Outlook

Following the successful digitization of system and supplier audits and the development of its own dashboards, SUSS plans to carry out process and product audits with the cluetec audit software in the future. This will create a globally uniform audit standard that not only raises quality to a new level, but also ensures customer satisfaction in the long term.

HYMER has been providing unique travel experiences in premium quality with passion, continuous improvement and the highest quality standards since 1957. At the company headquarters in Bad Waldsee, every model is thoroughly audited and is only handed over to the customer when it meets all requirements. To maximize the efficiency of product audits and the associated downstream tasks, the inventors of the motorhome decided to use cluetec audit software.

Audits and quality checks, especially in the areas of product and process audits in accordance with VDA 6.3, are part of the cult brand’s daily bread. The manual planning, recording and evaluation of audits often required expert knowledge in the use of Excel. In addition, the documentation was riddled with media breaks and therefore very time-consuming to post-process.

HYMER has opted for cluetec audit software to digitize product and process audits for the future. The solution is operated using the Microsoft Azure Cloud, which guarantees maximum IT security with a minimum failure rate. In order to meet the customer’s individual requirements, the digitization platform was expanded to meet customer-specific needs, enabling 100% customized checklists for HYMER. Audits and quality checks are implemented intelligently and meet the manufacturer’s high standards.

Added value was achieved within a very short time by implementing the solution. All audit data is stored centrally and can be viewed by those responsible at any time. Convenient planning, together with precisely tailored checklists, ensures complete documentation of all audits. All the necessary data, including photos with markings, is recorded directly during mobile execution and is immediately available in the system, for example as a report, at the touch of a button. Clean data then forms the perfect basis for integrated action management or detailed evaluation with a BI solution. This makes potentials visible and the tracking of actions particularly easy.

Compared to a manual, Excel-based audit solution, the company saves up to 50% of the time while achieving higher quality results. This not only ensures long-term customer satisfaction but also reduces HYMER’s business risk. A clear win-win for unforgettable travel experiences.

The HF GROUP is a global pioneer for sustainable solutions in rubber and plastics processing. With 2,000 employees and a sales volume of 447 million euros in 2024, the HF GROUP sets standards in industrial production. HF relies on in-process inspections and acceptance protocols to ensure continuous improvement, quality compliance and a reduction in entrepreneurial risk.

At the production plant for tire vulcanization presses and tire building machines in Belišće, Croatia, these logs were recorded manually using paper and Excel. The process took several months and involved different people and roles. Manual recording was prone to errors, characterized by media breaks and very time-consuming in terms of post-processing. In addition, there is often a lack of transparency and clarity. The production status is not directly visible and the determination is delayed. At the end of the process, the manually created report was scanned and sent manually as a PDF to the person responsible.

With cluetec Audit, we have comprehensively digitized the acceptance process at the HF GROUP site in Belišće and eliminated manual activities. Smart functions, such as the photo and marking function, make documentation much easier. To meet all requirements, customer-specific features have been developed that allow machines to be audited in parallel. Recorded data is synchronized immediately and is immediately available. The production status can be viewed by everyone involved at any time. The system is designed as a company-wide standard and is already being used by the subsidiary Farrel, a mixing plant manufacturer based in the USA. A roll-out to other companies and divisions is already being planned.

Kärcher, based in Winnenden near Stuttgart, is without doubt one of the world’s leading suppliers of cleaning solutions for a wide range of applications. The selection and continuous testing of suppliers is an important success factor in maintaining the highest quality standards.

Insights into practice: Digitization of supplier audits at Kärcher

In the video, Mark Feller, responsible for central quality management at Kärcher, and Rainer Schuller from cluetec explain the steps to successful digitization of supplier audits.

The starting point was classic, paper-based processes with a high level of documentation. With increasing complexity and a growing number of audits, the need arose to make these processes more efficient.

The video shows how Kärcher worked with cluetec to introduce a cloud-based solution that enables structured data collection, automated reporting and effective action management – secure, transparent and future-proof.

Digital supplier selection and VDA 6.3 audits: Kärcher relies on central planning and SAP integration

To further improve the supplier selection process, Kärcher relies on cluetec Audit software. Potential suppliers are audited and classified according to the proven VDA 6.3 standard. To this end, hundreds of audits are planned centrally each year and carried out by the company’s own auditors on site at the supplier’s premises. The entire product development process is evaluated using defined checklists. Recorded data is transferred to an in-house analysis tool using the cluetec Audit BI Connector and is available for detailed evaluations.

Deviations are tracked centrally via the action management system and processed by the supplier itself. Those responsible are given access to the areas of the system that are relevant to them.

In addition, an individual interface between cluetec Audit and the SAP module Ariba was developed for Kärcher. The connection enables the direct import of supplier master data into the cluetec Audit digitization platform.

In the future, cluetec Audit will be used in other areas and rolled out as a global standard for digitized audits at Kärcher.

SEW-EURODRIVE has stood for movement, innovation, quality and services for over 90 years. As a leading supplier in the field of drive and automation technology, the family-owned company employs over 22,000 people worldwide. The headquarters are located in Bruchsal near Karlsruhe. SEW-EURODRIVE maintains its global position through continuous development and high quality standards.

Since 2022, the company has been using cluetec audit software for the digitization of audits, checklists and processes. These include safety tours, 5S audits and process audits. Safety tours ensure compliance with safety regulations and protect employees. 5S audits optimize workplaces through the principles of sorting, systematization, cleaning, standardization and self-discipline. Process audits improve production processes by analyzing and optimizing bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are used to audit the machines. Results are transmitted almost in real time to the mQuest® Audit web portal and analyzed with embedded analytics based on Microsoft Power BI. Deviations are converted into actions and tracked.

The audit software is also used to check service providers. Specific checklists are used to monitor compliance with contractual requirements. These checks are crucial for the evaluation and selection of suppliers.

As one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, Continental develops and produces a wide range of automotive products and technologies. These include the innovative driver assistance systems from the “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems” business unit.

To ensure the highest possible quality and efficiency throughout the entire product development process, the Group has decided to use cluetec Audit. The aim is to create standardized audit processes for the Group.

From preparatory audits such as 5S audits and accompanying audits, e.g. in accordance with VDA 6.3, to final product audits, the digitalization platform covers a wide range of possibilities. Thanks to the module-based software architecture, the system could be customized and put into operation within a few months.

The automotive industry is in a transformation phase. In this context, the Volkswagen Group is dealing with scaling and changing processes, increasing complexity and modernizing IT systems. The Volkswagen Group’s goal is to optimally link the mobile and digital worlds – and this is where cluetec comes into play.

Together, the two companies developed the new Group Audit Management System (GAMS) based on cluetec Audit. Audits for the global dealer network are being fully digitized across all brands. This ensures that the customer experience and service offering meet the Group’s high standards.

The Mineraloelraffinerie Oberrhein, MiRO, in Karlsruhe is one of the most modern and efficient refineries in Europe and refines around 14 million tons of crude oil per year.

Following two successful pilot projects, the cluetec Audit digitalization platform for planning, conducting and evaluating regular plant audits is gradually being rolled out at MiRO.

A wide variety of criteria are monitored around the clock by plant operators and recorded on the move. From compliance with various safety regulations and the condition of installed parts to operating parameters such as temperature or pressure. The results of the routine program are automatically summarized in defined plant operator logs and help to make operations even more efficient.

With over 300 plants in 37 countries, Forvia is now one of the largest and leading international automotive suppliers in the industry. In order to sustainably improve the planning and execution of quality checks, an end-to-end digital process was introduced at the Neuburg plant as part of a pilot project.

Together with cluetec, a clever combination of the cluetec Audit App and an individual analysis and reporting portal was introduced. Formerly paper-driven and Excel-based processes are reliably replaced. Audits are carried out on the store floor using tablets and digital forms. The evaluation is carried out via a central web portal with suitable views for each user.