ASFiNAG: Digital checklists for mobile maintenance – Electronic Operations Manual (EBeH)

  • Forms are pre-filled with data from internal systems

  • Systematic catalogs, ESRI GIS for location of objects and photo documentation of defects as work orders

  • Recording of work with live data transfer during completion of tasks to ProOffice Asset Management and SAP

ASFiNAG uses HybridForms on all freeways in Austria for mobile tasks and the documentation of operations: Planning for operation and maintenance takes place in the respective highway maintenance depots. The tasks are transmitted to over 600 employees for mobile processing and documentation on tablets without any loss of time.

HybridForms – Digital forms for critical infrastructure

In a joint project with ASFiNAG and VertiGIS (software producer asset management), the entire process of planning and mobile documentation of all operation and maintenance tasks was completely digitized. Regular tasks with templates (such as checks of water protection facilities, mowing of green areas, monitoring of overhead signposts and other objects, etc.) generate mobile checklist forms in HybridForms.

For best user acceptance and to avoid error-prone double entries, all available content is pre-filled in the checklists via form automation and interface. In the checklists, sections are dynamically expanded as needed – depending on the data entered.

Dynamic work checklists with intelligent enterprise functions and integrated process functions such as the recording of tasks support the mobile teams in their work. For example, seamless switching between offline and online mode, automatic data sync, geotagging of photos and ESRI GIS maps from MapOffice.

HybridForms supports AD/ADFS for authentication for correct user access to HybridForms according to IT security requirements.

About ASFiNAG AG

ASFiNAG (Highway and Expressway Financing Corporation) is an Austrian infrastructure company owned by the federal government.

Services are: Planning, financing, constructing, maintaining, operating and tolling of around 2,200 kilometers of highways and expressways with 367 interchanges, 164 tunnels with 383 kilometers of tubes, and 5,192 bridges.

The company has around 3,000 employees, who work in 42 freeway maintenance centers, 6 toll stations and 9 traffic management centers. ASFiNAG is one of the major operators of critical infrastructure in Austria.

About VertiGIS | ProOffice

The project was successfully realized together with SynerGIS/VertiGIS as specialists for ESRI GIS and facility management solutions.

Dynamic checklists for the documentation of planned and ad-hoc tasks in the Electronic Operations Manual (EBeH) by ASFiNAG with HybridForms directly on site at the freeways

Digital Transformation at ASFINAG - Electronic Operations Manual
Digital Transformation at ASFINAG - Electronic Operations Manual
Thomas Veitsberger, ASFINAG

»With the integration of HybridForms into the Electronic Operations Manual, upcoming tasks are now also available on mobile devices. The integrated GIS map function allows a user to immediately see where, for example, the water protection system to be inspected is located. A detected defect is documented by means of a photo, drawing function and description. With the integration of HybridForms as mobile components, there is no more media discontinuity – nothing stands in the way of end-to-end digitization in the future.«

Thomas Veitsberger, MSc | Service Manager EBeH, ASFiNAG AG ↗
Johanna Balatka, ASFINAG

»With the digital checklists, our numerous tasks on the road network – from regulatory relevant inspection activities to operationally necessary maintenance and service work – can be recorded clearly, simply and quickly and documented in an audit-proof manner.
Photos and annotations can be easily recorded via the checklists and used for further processing.«

Johanna Balatka | Demand Manager EBeH / Electronic Operating Manual, ASFiNAG AG ↗
Logo ASFINAG
ASFINAG: Digital transformation with HybridForms

Mobile working in the field with HybridForms: Better data quality, significantly accelerated processes and direct feedback & reports

Problems and requirements of ASFiNAG for EBeH

Assignments for the inspection, operation and maintenance of all facilities and objects on highways were printed out on paper and then filled out by hand by the staff members on site. These paper-based reports were sometimes very extensive and there were no automatic functions or alerts. Photo documentation was attached separately to the protocols as appendix sheets.

The checklists were filed in folders, and defects were manually entered into the central database. This process meant a significant delay in the availability of inspection results, defects and open action items. This is where the digital transformation now comes in – for more efficient and faster processes without media discontinuities.

Solution with HybridForms already in the pilot project

  • Digitization workshop with process analysis and design of an immediately usable prototype »Digital mobile EBeH task checklist«.
  • Secure pilot project on ASFiNAG servers for testing without risks in a real working environment with selected pilot users on their own test infrastructure.
  • Going live of the digital form processes tested in everyday use directly after the pilot project, extension with ad hoc capture & bundled tasks.
  • Direct added value through secure enterprise functions such as GIS object reference, photos with sketches/annotations, interactive assistance functions, work data to SAP.

Learning and benefits in daily productive use

  • Significantly shortened processes, rapid digital availability of data, interfaces to existing primary systems – networking data instead of replacing it.
  • Higher data quality for the entered content through optimal usability, definition of mandatory fields, validation of entries, automatic calculations.
  • Modern digital work without media breaks – and high user acceptance.
Success Story: ASFINAG Electronic Operations Manual
Success Story: ASFINAG Electronic Operations Manual
Success Story: ASFINAG Electronic Operations Manual
Success Story: ASFINAG Electronic Operations Manual

HybridForms for end-to-end digitization in technical field service for critical infrastructure: secure enterprise functions & processes without media discontinuity

Best mobile usability

  • Smart forms with adaptive content – focused & clear
  • Responsive design for optimal display on smartphone, iPad & PC
  • Seamless online & offline use on different devices

High acceptance: recognizable added value & modern work

Secure data & systems

  • All users and groups exclusively in the Active Directory / AD of ASFiNAG
  • Automatic synchronization of data with SSL/TSL encryption
  • Secure central HybridForms Server with Microsoft SQL

Optimal security: Comprehensive enterprise security & functions

Interfaces & data exchange

  • Form automation for already prefilled checklists
  • Ad hoc request process for tasks with high urgency
  • Interface to ProOffice Asset Management and above it SAP

Automated processes: More transparency and full security

Rapid Return on Investment

Around 100,000 inspection and maintenance processes are carried out on ASFiNAG’s freeways throughout Austria every year. The switch from paper-based data collection on site to end-to-end digital processes with HybridForms has had an immediate positive impact.

The advantages of this new way of working with mobile devices and digital checklists have become apparent immediately and quickly: Accelerated workflows, transparent processes, consistent data sets with photos.

Are you interested in more references from critical infrastructure?