CASE STUDY · PRODUCTION
ATOM: an enterprise software platform for managing production tools
ATOM is a tool management platform that coordinates the request, reservation, delivery, return, and maintenance of assets shared across production lines.
Industry
Manufacturing
Client
Bosch
Solution
Enterprise Software System
Delivery
First release in 6 months
See the ATOM concept
Watch the video to learn about the ATOM concept and its impact on factory operations—from managing shared tools to creating space for additional production capacity.
01 — Context
A Bosch factory where changes in production require precise coordination.
At the Bosch factory where printed circuit boards (PCBs) are manufactured, the production lines are configured for different products, processes, and batches. Each production changeover requires careful preparation of the equipment, materials, and tools needed for the next operation.
Tools are constantly moving between production lines, storage areas, internal transport, and maintenance. In a precision manufacturing environment, their availability, correct location, and adherence to verification steps directly influence the pace of operations and the continuity of production.
02 — Problem
A tool that is unavailable can cause delays along the entire production line.
When a tool cannot be located, arrives too late at the production line, or is requested simultaneously by multiple areas, changeovers and production can be affected. In addition, a tool with a problem must not be put back into use before it has been inspected, repaired, and confirmed.
Bosch needed a tool management solution that would cover requests and reservations, preparation, transport, returns, inspection, and maintenance. The goal was for every tool to have a clear location, status, and operational history at all times.
03 — Solution
A comprehensive digital workflow for managing tools on the factory floor.
ATOM digitizes and coordinates the parties involved in each transition: the production line team, ATOM and Kardex operators, internal transportation, service, and maintenance. The platform provides a controlled workflow, from the request to the tool’s return to inventory or production.
01. Request and Reservation
Users on the production line or in maintenance request tools for changeovers and one-time operations. Confirmation reserves the asset in the system so that the same tool cannot be assigned to multiple lines at the same time.
02. Preparation and Transportation
The ATOM and Kardex operators prepare the requested sets, and the milk run picks up the tasks in FIFO order. Each handoff and delivery step is confirmed on the platform so that the tool’s location and status remain visible.
03. Use, Return, and Storage
After being received at the production line, the tool becomes available for the scheduled operation. When it is no longer needed, ATOM initiates the return process, facilitates the inspection, and guides its controlled return to the warehouse.
04. Reporting and Response
A problem can be reported directly from the production line and assessed by the responsible operators. If intervention is required, the tool becomes unavailable for production until the service or maintenance procedure is completed.
04 — Engineering
Built for continuous industrial operations.
ATOM runs on-premises within Bosch’s internal infrastructure as an Angular web application connected to .NET microservices. The system integrates with the solutions and equipment already in use at the factory, including Active Directory and SSO, barcode and DataMatrix scanners, Kardex flows, and the tablets used by internal transport teams.
As a result, the architecture supports the digital transformation of production in an enterprise environment, where critical processes become more visible, measurable, and easier to improve.
Identity and Control
Integration with Active Directory and SSO enables centralized authentication. Badge-based authentication and configurable, permission-based roles support accountability in every operational workflow.
Operational Traceability
The platform keeps a record of requests, status changes, deliveries, returns, and interventions. Teams can see who initiated, processed, or closed each stage in a tool’s lifecycle.
Field Integration
ATOM supports barcode and Data Matrix scanners, Kardex workflows, and tablets used by internal logistics. As a result, physical activities on the factory floor are directly linked to the operational data on the platform.
05 — Results
A platform designed to make production more visible and easier to control.
By standardizing tool management, ATOM provides teams with a common foundation for coordinating activities on the factory floor. The platform has evolved from an MVP delivered in about six months into a system used continuously in complex industrial operations.
500 lines
The platform supports approximately 500 production lines in day-to-day operations.
24/7
ATOM runs continuously in a production environment where tool availability and traceability are essential.
About 20%
The platform has helped reduce the space needed to store unused tools, freeing up capacity for productive activities.
International Expansion
Following its adoption as the standard for tool life cycle management, the solution is being rolled out to factories in India and China.
The MVP was delivered in about six months and evolved through incremental improvements. The standardization and visibility provided by ATOM have opened up new opportunities for automation in Bosch’s manufacturing operations.
Do you need more control over your production assets?
We’ll discuss how a custom software application can digitize operational workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and generate useful data to support better production decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ATOM?
ATOM is an enterprise software platform for managing the lifecycle of shared tools in production. It coordinates requests, reservations, deliveries, returns, inspections, and maintenance tasks.
What problem does ATOM solve in the factory?
ATOM reduces the lack of visibility regarding the tools used across production lines, warehouses, internal transportation, and service. The platform helps teams know where a tool is located, whether it is available, and what actions have been performed on it.
What production processes does the platform manage?
The platform manages tool requests and reservations, preparation in Kardex, internal transport, confirmation of receipt, returns, storage, problem reporting, and service or maintenance interventions.
How does ATOM ensure the traceability of tools?
ATOM maintains the operational history of each tool: requests, reservations, status changes, deliveries, returns, interventions, and user actions. Badge-based confirmations and configurable roles promote accountability and control.
How is ATOM integrated into factory operations?
ATOM runs on-premises on Bosch’s infrastructure and integrates with Active Directory, SSO, barcode and Data Matrix scanners, Kardex workflows, and tablets used by internal transportation teams.
What results has ATOM achieved?
The platform supports more than 500 production lines in a 24/7 operational environment. It has helped reduce the space required for unused tools by approximately 20% and has been expanded to Bosch plants in India and China.