Digitalization even for the smallest specialist foundation engineering projects: The new BAUERdigital portal

Schrobenhausen, Germany – Digitalization in specialist foundation engineering at Bauer has steadily advanced over the last few years. Innovative approaches and ideas – such as the b-project data management software – have increasingly automated the collection, processing, and analysis of data and progressively digitalized collaboration between all project members. The challenge: The expenditure could often not be aligned with the benefit of these new digitalization approaches when it came to small specialist foundation engineering projects. A relatively short execution period at the site was matched by comparatively high implementation costs for the digital tools. To make the benefits of digitalization more attractive for small specialist foundation engineering projects of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, a new innovative platform called BAUERdigital portal was created to streamline processes and day-to-day operation at the site.

“The roll out of Microsoft Teams within the BAUER Group means that each new site will have its own separate area and can be centrally and autonomously overseen by the Project Manager,” according to Torsten Henssler, project manager for Digital Construction at Bauer Spezialtiefbau. The advantage of the system is obvious, rights can be managed directly without the need for the IT department to get involved. The site manager appoints administrators directly and assigns user rights. In addition to general information such as project name, order number, address, and coordinates, additional weather information and the location via Google Maps are also available. The centerpiece of the BAUERdigital portal is made up of various application tiles that provide access to different digital tools. These applications make it possible to digitally generate reports that previously had to be painstakingly written by hand, to collect, process and analyze data, and to digitally display processes. There are currently six applications available as standard: The digital construction diary, the fielddata platform, the workflow for the site supply process, the digital delivery note Neptune, the Web BGM, and the Bauer specialist foundation engineering product catalog.

Digital construction diary
The digital construction diary application replaces the site documentation maintained by the site manager or the foremen, often tediously handwritten or maintained in Excel format. Available as a desktop application and also as a smartphone or tablet app, this information can now be captured directly on the site in digital format. It records personnel and equipment as well as working hours, quality information, work completed, and notes on delivered construction materials as well as images for documentation purposes. The major advantage: All digital construction diaries of a site are stored and compiled in an automated process – rendering manual compilation by the site manager obsolete. The information gathered is output in PDF format and can be retrieved by all participants at any time.

fielddata
BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH uses the digital web platform of fielddata.io GmbH for the documentation of smaller and medium size sites. With this application, data on “activity, “quality”, and “performance” can be recorded digitally and analyzed. In addition to information on the performance of the machines in use, drilling reports – so-called B reports – can be generated via the fielddata web platform. The relevant machine data and production data can then be linked and analyzed to create these reports. fielddata also provides analytics on operating hours, finished construction elements, fuel consumption, and an overall evaluation of the site production. Drilling rig operators can also record production steps including their duration and thereby furnish a detailed documentation of the construction progress. Detailed documentation of drilling times, tool changes, idle times, etc. is also possible.

Site supply process and Neptune
Workflow integration of the site supply process into the new BAUERdigital portal makes it possible to directly request equipment for the relevant site. With a workflow in the background, not only the actual equipment but also the relevant accessories can be requested, and the transport to the site can be organized centrally. The Neptune application is an integrated SAP add-on. This tool was used to implement the digital delivery note.

WEB-BGM
The WEB-BGM portal of the sister company BAUER Maschinen GmbH provides an overview of all currently running machines. In addition to the provision of the technical data for the respective machines, information on work assignments – where and when – and drilling methods are also provided.

Product catalog
The product catalog application provides an overview of all currently available digital products of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH. These are divided into four project phases, i.e. “tender phase”, “work preparation”, “execution”, and “review” and are presented with a brief description and a contact person for further questions. The aim is to provide an optimum overview of all available digital tools and applications of Bauer Spezialtiefbau.

All applications provided in the BAUERdigital portal facilitate site processes without blocking them with additional expenditure and measures. Small sites in particular therefore have the option to benefit from digitalization through their active use of these features. Initially, the rollout of the BAUERdigital portal is planned for February to May for pilot projects in Germany to obtain direct feedback from practice. On the basis of this knowledge, all branch offices in Germany will get relevant training so that all smaller and medium sized construction projects can be processed via the BAUERdigital portal in future.