For what project size are automated processes worthwhile?

It depends. But what works on a small scale can be scaled up to production plants. Provided the engineering has been done properly. This is precisely where the experts at ControlTech Engineering (CTE) come in.

ControlTech Engineering AG (CTE) is active in the fields of automation, data management and industrial IT. Thanks to its expertise, it automatically ensures greater safety and profitability of production facilities - and processes. But what exactly does that mean? It is not easy to maintain a full overview of the automation jungle. For which project sizes are automated processes worthwhile? Where does a well thought-out IT infrastructure make sense? Who needs which tools and when are data solutions necessary to avoid drowning in data volumes?

The automated cocktail machine as an eye-catcher at Ilmac in Basel.

Employees of ControlTech Engineering at the Ilmac in Basel. — Employees of ControlTech Engineering at the Ilmac in Basel in front of the eye-catching stand 120.

Test tubes as CTE credentials. — This is how CTE's references at the Ilmac in Basel are presented.

CTE intends to provide expert answers to these questions, because digitalised processes can save costs even in smaller projects. Last year's participation in the Ilmac trade fair from 26 to 28 September 2023 showed how interaction works at CTE by means of an automated cocktail machine: because what works on a small scale can also be scaled up with the right approach. The cocktail machine, designed in-house, mixed long drinks. A sophisticated automation concept got the cocktail machine up and running. The different liquids were automatically dosed, mixed, cooled and served from eight test tubes according to the recipe. The magic behind this is called Automation Solution - because CTE increases system flexibility and efficiency by means of integrated automation concepts and intuitive visualisation.This, in turn, ensures profitability and safety in production. The cocktail machine was operated via an intuitive control station, as CTE is also an expert in data visualisation. However, for this to work, the IT infrastructure had to be set up. CTE provided a professional IT backbone to ensure stable communication from the control system to the cloud.

Invited customers were even able to pre-order their cocktails in advance via a dedicated website. To ensure that no unauthorized cocktails were ordered, security measures had to be put in place. In all its projects, CTE always places a special focus on security solutions for all system components. This ensures that all potential entry points for unwanted attackers are closed. After the cocktails were ordered, the processed data could be tracked via a dashboard. The key phrase is "data management": CTE collects, organizes, and archives data from a wide variety of sources. Based on this, there is an opportunity to use a Data Science Framework to develop the optimal production workflow. And this is where we come full circle: what works on a small scale can be scaled up to industrial plants or pharmaceutical companies—provided that a solid engineering foundation was established from the start. Because then, operational support will also function smoothly during ongoing operations. And this is exactly where we at CTE are experts.

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A clean product catalogue for increased clarity

The trade fair appearance generated considerable buzz. Internally and externally. The clearer the interaction is represented, the easier it is to understand the automation jungle - and the more ingenious the perfectly coordinated range of services offered by ControlTech Engineering AG becomes. CTE has been active in the fields of automation and industrial IT for over 30 years. As an owner-managed family business, CTE stands for sustainable, future-oriented solutions, partnership-based cooperation, in-depth expertise, many years of experience and the highest quality. The company primarily employs system engineers who play a decisive role in the design, implementation and maintenance of automated systems in the field of industrial IT and data management. CTE specialises in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, energy and the environment, mechanical engineering and transportation. These industries can no longer do without innovative technologies, especially in the field of digitalisation.

It was therefore a strategic goal to use vivid stories to communicate the company's values and its extensive range even better. Together with all employees, the aim was not just to design systems or configure control units. All of a sudden, engineering experts had to tell stories. They had to convey how CTE's customers work. This customer-centric approach also changed the corporate culture. Looking through the customer's eyes helped us to think outside the box. Content marketing with storytelling is now firmly anchored at management level.

The change process began with a core team. With Dominc Brunner (Management), Ronny Wasmer (Automation), Michael Gempp (Industrial IT), Stefan Kramberg (Data Management), Patrick Hablützel (User Experience) and Noemi Wannenmacher (Marketing/Communication), members from all departments were involved. So-called buyer personas as stereotypes of different customer segments helped to understand the customer perspective. Together, they discussed which product should solve which problems for the customer, which skills ControlTech Engineering needs to do this and how the company wants to differentiate itself from the competition. "It's really amazing how we've changed our thinking since we started focusing more on user experience. This enables us to delve deeper into the world of our customers and understand their needs more intuitively", reports Patrick Hablützel from the core team.

The effects of a change process can be many. Ronny Wasmer's product portfolio now needs translation for the various stereotypes. Because even people without a technical background should be able to understand what CTE has to offer. The product families form the basis for the product catalogue. Product names and families are the subject of intense discussion during the process. What should they be called so that they appear simple but not trivial? How can suitable references and specialist articles be assigned?

The result is seven product families ranging from Automation Solutions, Operational Support to Engineering Services, Custom Tools, Security Solutions and Infrastructure to Data Solutions. All in English, because that's how the market works. Now it's time to name and describe the individual products. The core team is still working on this. The new website with the revised product catalogue will be online by the end of March. The aim is to set out the basics in order to provide a rough overview. Only then will a more detailed level follow, including product descriptions formulated for experts. Everything step by step. Just as it works for our customer projects.