Dear reader,
the corona virus has changed all our lives. Of course, we also deal with the changed situation in a very responsible manner and have therefore put our working methods to the test and partly adapted them!
First of all, we can state that we are able to maintain all our consulting services! Our team members have already worked together successfully in the past, although they each work in their own offices spread all over Germany. In addition to the usual communication channels (email, mobile phone and SMS), we have been using common data networking (paperless office) and powerful tools for telephone and web conferences for years.
What is new or different since March 2020?
We question the necessity of every business trip! We do this together with all parties involved, i.e. with our customers, partners and colleagues.
- If there is an alternative to travel, we will waive the trip. If this results in reduced expenses (time and costs), these advantages are passed on to our customers.
- If a trip is necessary, we plan it very carefully and ensure that all possible preventive measures are taken.
What are the alternatives to a business trip?
- Web conferences are possible for professional exchange, for presentations and arrangements.
- Large parts of the project work can be successfully completed with web conferences. They should not take longer than 2 hours. Experience shows that web conferences are very disciplined. Meanwhile most of the participants are technically equipped and trained accordingly.
- Shop floor tours can be done online by using a smartphone as a camera on site. On-site views can also be provided via videos and photos.
- Webinars are used for seminars and training.
When are business trips also useful in Corona times?
- Appointments to get to know each other personally are necessary when it comes to a long-term strategic cooperation.
- Man as a social being: We seek personal dialogue to build trust and get to know each other better. Many people need the personal contact to be able to get involved in a cooperation.
- Strategy workshops are not recommended for web conferences throughout. A mix of face-to-face meetings and Web conferences is useful here.
- In any case, we take the prevention measures recommended or prescribed by official bodies very seriously. What is the current risk of infection on the route and at the meeting point?
What should be taken into account when conducting business trips?
- Arrival and departure is by the safest possible means of transport. Today we prefer our own car; that was different until February 2020 - when we usually took the train. Are there any obstacles to be expected at national or state borders?
- We try to get along without overnight stays. This can mean that arrival and departure times increase and the suburban times are not as flexible as usual.
- At all personal meetings the rules of spatial dissociation are observed: Distance, no shaking hands, wearing of face masks, frequent hand washing and disinfection.
- The meetings are then restricted to the smallest possible number of people.
- The meeting room should be as large and well ventilated as possible.
- On site there should be possibilities for hand and surface disinfection.
The Corona traffic light for our services:
Green Can be carried out in corona times without problems. If desired, travel can be dispensed with completely.
Yellow These tasks can also be carried out in corona times. However, some trips are unavoidable. This requires appropriate preparations and arrangements.
Red These tasks are not feasible in corona times and must be postponed to later.
Green
Initial AGV Consultance
- The two visit appointments, which are part of the AGV initial consultation by default, can be replaced by several web conferences. A further variant is the execution of a single personal visit appointment and subsequent processing using web conferences.
- We work with the AGV checklist as the basis for data collection in the AGV project. The completed checklist is supplemented by layout, transport matrix, photos and videos of the production environment.
- Solution approaches/references to specific topics (security, ground, organisation etc.) are formulated by us and recorded in a presentation.
- Web conferences for presentation/discussion are held in smaller sections. Prepared presentations are sent in advance so that the web conference can be structured and streamlined. Finally, open questions are discussed.
Fixed prices:
| Standard with 2 on-site visits: | 3.750,- € |
| Only 1 visit on site: | 3.375,- € |
| No on-site visit: | 3.000,- € |
Green
Concept Finding
- In most cases, it is possible to do without an on-site presence. We work on the basis of checklists, layouts, transport matrices as well as photos and videos.
- Time-limited web conferences with clear AGENDA lead to rapid results.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Green
Specification Book
- Preliminary work has already been done here. For the pure compilation and presentation of specifications, there is no need to travel.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Green
Bid Comparison
- The technical offer comparison can be carried out without travel.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Green
Evaluation of Vendor’s Scope Specification
- During the requirements specification check, a further communication partner is added in the form of the commissioned AGV supplier. Nevertheless, this task is generally possible without travel.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Yellow
Accompanying of the Project Execution
- The project support concerns on the one hand the commissioning of the AGV at the client's premises. This will not be possible without personal on-site presence. From a distance, it is hardly possible to assess the progress of commissioning. However, the number of trips can be minimised. For example, not every regular appointment of the project management team has to take place on site.
- On the other hand, it concerns the preliminary acceptance of hardware and software at the AGV supplier. Here, too, a visit to the AGV supplier and on-site inspection of the prototypes is required.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Yellow
Accompanying of the Final Acceptance
(incl. Performance and Availability Testing)
- The execution of the acceptances requires the presence on site.
- Meticulous planning can limit the duration of the on-site presence.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Yellow
Safety-Check
- The safety check must be performed personally on site. Finally, the running plant must be assessed.
- Meticulous planning can shorten the duration of the trips; the preparation and presentation of the results is done via web conference.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Yellow
Technical Assessment Report / Mediation
- For the preparation of an expert's report on a non-running or poorly running plant, an on-site assessment is required.
- Meticulous planning can shorten the duration of the trips; the preparation and presentation of the results is done via web conference.
- The calculated costs are more likely to be reduced by not having to travel.
Green
Risk Analyses / Security Topics
- Risk analyses and elaborations on security issues can be carried out without an on-site presence. The client must take appropriate photos and videos of the critical elements/machines/systems and make the corresponding documentation available in digital form.
Yellow
Strategy Consulting
- In a strategy consultancy, the best communication between all parties involved is particularly important. Here, as many personal meetings and discussions are recommended as possible or as justifiable.
- If face-to-face meetings are not possible, a very good technical equipment for the web conferences as well as their mastery is of particular importance.
- The AGENDA of web conferences should be specified as precisely as possible. In advance there must be a plan when which web conference will be held.
Green
Seminars and Trainings
- Seminars and training courses can be conducted as webinars. Personal meetings are not required.
- The Forum AGV is in the process of developing corresponding offers. Please contact us if required!