Connected for the future: “TrackMyTools” from Bosch makes day-to-day work more efficient for painting company Kauderer

“All the hard work pays off” – Steffen Kauderer, long-time managing director and owner of the Kauderer painting company in Bad Cannstatt, Germany, con-tinues what his family began 130 years ago, now in its fourth generation. With a total of 54 employees, he set up the company on a broad footing. “From facade work and renovating listed buildings to home design – we aim to provide outstanding services. This requires us to be ideally equipped both today and in the future. To achieve this, I need a time-saving inventory management,” says Steffen Kauderer. He uses “TrackMyTools” from Bosch and has connected his entire inventory, from cordless drill/drivers to stirrers, to the system: “Astonishingly, it is often the largest objects which get lost − ladders for example. They end up forgotten, leaning against a wall as the team leaves a construction site.” His decision to go with “TrackMyTools” has proven to have been a good one: “We don’t have a central warehouse at our painting company – each tool is assigned to a person. When a tool which was not available to everyone was needed, the time-consuming hunt would begin. Now I use the ‘TrackMyTools’ app and can see where the tool is currently located.” At the same time, he has contributed to further developing the system by sharing his practical experience. Bosch has optimized and extended the functions of the hardware and software on the basis of user feedback such as that from Steffen Kauderer: “Operation is simpler and the overview is better.”

Intelligent inventory management is open for more
“To start with, I was looking for something that would simply allow me to manage tools: What tools does the company even have? Who has them? Are they in use or faulty? Those were the most important questions. ‘TrackMyTools’ won me over with the fact that it is an open system for tools from all manufacturers. During my time working with Bosch, I also discovered all the other things an intelligent inventory management system can do. It goes far beyond my expectations,” says Steffen Kauderer. In the further developed version of “TrackMyTools”, a new Bluetooth module and a user-friendly operating concept ensure that tools – and now vehicles – can be registered, assigned, managed and located more quickly. Kauderer: “Now I have a complete overview of all the machinery and the fleet of vehicles, including purchase and maintenance receipts as well as warranty certificates. I know which maintenance intervals or MOT dates are coming up. I can assign vehicles to employees and allocate the corresponding tools to them as well. In addition, I can keep a record of important employee dates such as annual occupational safety training or first aid training.” Beyond this, the permission- and role-based access concept was also developed further. Areas which employees may access can be defined and even service providers with limited access can be invited only to view and maintain the tool inventory.

“TrackMyTools” proves itself in practice
The improved user interface stands out especially because of its intuitive operation and clearly structured menu design. The start page makes all relevant information accessible at a glance. There are also new setting, search, filter, map and calendar functions to facilitate daily operations. Steffen Kauderer: “Using the web application is very easy to follow. You gain a quick overview of each of the individual areas. I can edit status changes with just a few clicks − such as when a tool is faulty, out on loan, having maintenance performed or missing. I get all the summarized information sent to me via e-mail so that I am always up to date.” Registering tools is also faster and simpler now: Thanks to the automatic connection to the Bosch product database, names of Bosch tools are recognized and their entries are completed automatically. If a large inventory is to be recorded in the system, this can now be done by uploading an Excel file. This is simpler and saves time with the initial installation of “TrackMyTools”. It has also been made easier to assign multiple tools to one employee or vehicle as well as the presentation and operation of the location determination function. “Everything functions in an intuitive way. The system tells me what it needs,” says Steffen Kauderer.

Simply connected with the new Bluetooth module
The GCC 30-4 Professional Bluetooth module is used to connect pieces of equipment to the system. Steffen Kauderer: “A few clicks and everything is connected. This also saves time on the construction site: In the past, you would have to run through the whole construction site to gain an overview. Now, you can directly see which tools are on site and which ones need to be organized for the next work step from the app or the office. And no more ladders will be forgotten.” This is because if an assigned tool is not in the vehicle before departure, the app sends a reminder with an audio signal. His summary: “TrackMyTools makes us significantly more efficient. This system will see Kauderer through the next 130 years as well.”