Successful timetable automation
We've helped DB Regio (DB Bahn's subsidiary, responsible for all regional transport activities in Germany) to automate construction works related updates on their timetables. This was a highly repetitive process, involving XML documents, MS Excels, and a Timetable Management Software. Today their systems are updated faster, 24/7, without manual labor and copy-paste errors.
1. The Challenge
Deutsche Bahn has to handle thousands of construction works every year along with its 33,500-kilometre-long rail network. Each construction affects dozens or even hundreds of train schedules. To administer the related timetable changes cumbersome manual work is needed: every caused delay, cancellation, detour, replacement bus, etc. has to be manually entered into the appropriate system. Significant time and effort are spent on repetitive, operational activities, such as data entry and administration that do not require human-made decisions.
2. Our End-to-end RPA Solution
Cloudstorm offered a method to automate those activities by teaching Software Robots to parse and classify entries from XML and Excel documents and to administer the appropriate modifications in the timetable management software. Instead of manual data entry, robots can update system records orders of magnitude faster than humans and without any copy-paste errors, 24/7.
3. The Result
Cloudstorm’s solution removed the need to develop additional data interfaces between custom systems and provided a way to greatly reduce the effort spent on manual data entry. It also reduced boring activities for coworkers and thus increase employee morale and reduced the number of copy-paste errors.
Cloudstorm created the required automation end-to-end without needing to involve the internal Centre of Excellence and without the need to hire RPA developers. The success of the RPA use-case within the Troubleshooting Department has attracted interest from other functions within the organization and paved the way for further RPA projects in DB Netz.
"We were looking for a solution to handle our use-cases where massive amounts of data is typed in manually into our systems; Cloudstorm’s RPA was a suitable technology to handle our requirements. We were astonished by the fact that CloudStorm managed to assess and understand the details of our use-case even without a personal visit, proving that remote process assessment is a real possibility in this more-and-more digital world. Thanks a lot for the spirit, thanks a lot for the solution, keep on going!"
Wolfgang Weinhold
Managing Director, DB Regio Southeast