Digitalizing Automotive Maintenance: How a Custom-Built SAP Fiori Application Keeps Production Running

Every minute of unplanned downtime at a manufacturing plant can result in significant financial losses. So how can you efficiently manage both scheduled and reactive maintenance across thousands of machines, robotic arms, paint shops, and production halls, with approximately 4,000 employees involved in the processes?
For a customer in the automotive industry, we developed FIXIT, a comprehensive solution that connects a complex manufacturing environment with the robust capabilities of SAP.

SAP doesn’t have to be complex or cumbersome for field users. With the right approach, a solid architecture, and a strong focus on user experience (UX), it can become a tool that genuinely accelerates processes and reduces costs. This project for our long-standing customer is a clear example.

Connecting the Production Floor to SAP in Real Time

The project started with the customer’s need to modernize and standardize the entire maintenance lifecycle. The goal was to eliminate paper-based processes and fragmented records, while ensuring that technicians on the production floor had immediate access to all the data they needed—whether they were working at a computer, using a workshop terminal, or moving around the site with a mobile device.

The technological foundation was SAP PM (Plant Maintenance). The key to success, however, was building a modern, fast, and intuitive user interface on top of this core using SAP Fiori, designed around the way maintenance teams actually work.

The Solution: FIXIT – End-to-End Maintenance Management

We designed and developed the FIXIT application from the ground up. It covers the entire maintenance process:

1. Fault Reporting and Preventive Maintenance: From automated scheduling of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure that robotic arms operate as intended, to the rapid reporting of unexpected faults by production-line operators.
2. Smart Dispatching and Planning: Real-time visibility into technicians’ availability and skill sets. Dispatchers can immediately see who is available and assign the right technician to an intervention.
3. Spare Parts Management: Required materials can be ordered directly from the maintenance order, with a direct link to SAP inventory levels.
4. On-Site Navigation (GIS Integration): Finding a specific piece of equipment is not always easy across large-scale manufacturing sites. By integrating maps and GIS systems, the application guides technicians directly to the relevant machine.
5. Work Execution and Time Reporting: Complete digital documentation of each intervention, recording working hours, and closing maintenance orders directly on site.

A Trusted Partnership: When a Customer Chooses the Same Partner Again

FIXIT has become part of the daily workflow for thousands of employees. The strongest validation of the quality of our work and our SAP expertise, however, came in the years that followed.

When the customer decided to renew and further develop the mobile component of the solution, they launched a highly demanding competitive tender. After more than a year of detailed discussions, architectural assessments, and competency evaluations, they once again selected Mibcon to develop the new mobile Fiori application.

In addition to developing the web and mobile applications, we now provide the customer with long-term AMS (Application Management Services) support, including guaranteed on-call coverage for the production environment.

Why Build a Custom SAP Solution with Mibcon?

The FIXIT story reflects our approach to B2B software development:

• We build both from the ground up and on top of existing SAP environments: We design new solutions using SAP Fiori/UI5, develop the required APIs, and integrate SAP with surrounding systems.
• We understand processes, not just code: We have expertise in SAP modules such as SAP PM, MM, and SD. This means our custom development follows SAP standards while adapting to the needs of your people.
• We support the entire solution lifecycle: From initial workshops and analysis through prototyping and development to long-term support, continuous improvement, and guaranteed SLAs.

Facing a Similar Challenge in Your Organization?

Looking to streamline processes in manufacturing, logistics, or service operations and provide your employees with a modern application built on SAP?

Get in touch with us to explore which architecture and custom solution would make the most sense for your business.