WZ CCASE STUDY · MANUFACTURING

Is knowledge of the special parameters for the old machine leaving with retirement?

Compliance, legal & quality management

A long-serving machinist is nearing retirement. He knows the tolerances of the old milling machine, which need to be adjusted at certain temperatures, but has never written this experience down in a manual. On his last day, this knowledge remains in the room because it hasn't been systematically documented. His successor now has to guess or call the supplier, delaying production.

When implicit knowledge about specific settings for older machines is no longer just in someone's head but in the system, it becomes accessible to the entire team. The assistant links this information with existing QM documents and provides the exact source when questions arise.

  • MACHINE KNOWLEDGE
  • QM MANUAL
  • STAFF TURNOVER
  • DOCUMENTATION

WHAT THE LOSS COSTSThe loss of this knowledge leads to downtime when the machine is set incorrectly and to duplicate work, as new staff must painstakingly determine the parameters. Furthermore, liability risk increases if quality standards cannot be demonstrated as being met.

HOW EXPLICIO SOLVES THE PROBLEM AS THE FIRST LAYER

Capture. Connect. Find.

  1. CAPTURE01PeopleKnowledge is captured directly at the workplace without the employee needing to type anything extra. A voice message, a photo of the control panel, or a short video of the adjustment is sufficient, as the channel the team already uses is leveraged for capture. The assistant asks clarifying questions if a connection is unclear, ensuring completeness.
  2. CONNECT02Connectors & measurement dataExisting QM manuals and inspection reports are not retyped but used as references. Email inboxes with historical instructions or old PDF files can be integrated to complete the context. This creates linked knowledge based on both current and historical data.
  3. GRAPH & OUTPUT03Colleagues & systemsWhen a colleague asks a question about the machine later, they receive an answer based on the captured voice messages and documents. The answer cites the exact source, such as a page in the manual or a timestamp in a voice recording, and is formulated in the language of the question. Contradictions in the data are highlighted, not smoothed over.
SAMPLE DIALOGUE WITH THE EXPLICIO ASSISTANT

What it sounds like day to day.

A typical question from this situation, the assistant's follow-up and the answer with its reference — an example, not a transcript.

TEAM MEMBER

How should I set the temperature on the old milling machine if the ambient temperature is above 25 degrees?

FOLLOW-UP · PAIR4 ON THE CPU

Do you mean the milling machine in Hall 2 or the one in final assembly? The parameters differ.

TEAM MEMBER

The one in Hall 2.

EXPLICIO ASSISTANT

For the milling machine in Hall 2, the temperature must be increased by 2 degrees to compensate for material expansion. This was documented by Mr. Müller in a voice recording when he explained the summer adjustment.

Reference: Voice message, Role: Machinist, Timestamp 04:12, linked to QM Protocol S-102, Page 3

Self-check — loads when visible.

ASKED

What businesses in this industry ask.

How do I maintain the QM manual when machine parameters change constantly?

The QM manual is not maintained manually but updated through the continuous capture of knowledge within the work process. New settings are added as voice messages or photos, and the assistant links these with existing documents, ensuring the documentation remains current.

What is particularly important about knowledge management in quality management?

In quality management knowledge management, it is crucial to make implicit experiential knowledge explicit before it is lost. This is achieved by easily capturing knowledge via channels used in daily operations and linking it with existing QM documents to ensure complete traceability.

How do I find the right documents for quality management in our company?

You find the right quality management documents by addressing the assistant with your question in the chat. It searches the linked QM documents, emails, and voice recordings, providing you with the answer and the exact source, so you don't have to search yourself.

What role does documentation play in quality management during audits?

Documentation plays a central role in quality management during audits as it ensures the traceability of processes. By capturing knowledge with precise source citations and linking it with existing documents, you can demonstrate compliance with audits quickly and comprehensively.

WHAT EXPLICIO DOES NOT DO HERE

Limits that apply — even when nobody asks.

  • Explicio grants no approval and signs no record.
  • Explicio does not decide which requirement applies — it names both sources.
  • Explicio replaces neither an audit nor legal advice.
What Explicio does not evaluate — for works councils and data protection →
TRY IT DIRECTLY · DEMO WITHOUT A CALL

Does this exact knowledge island exist in your business too?

Test this scenario now for 30 days free of charge – one voice message is enough.

Term
30 days from your first knowledge
Cost
0 €
Licence
none — we bill the knowledge, not the seat
Service statusTo the live status page →