SI Urban 2/2023
More than just software: Properly maintaining urban cable cars
“The customer support is one of our most important hallmarks!“ emphasizes Johannes Stadler right from the start.
The managing director of REMEC places great importance on the fact that customers are supported for as long as they have the products in use. So, REMEC‘s work only begins with the sale of the software.
The software is called SAMBESI and covers the entire range of maintenance for urban cable cars: from task planning to internal communication to legally compliant documentation of problems and solutions.
Field-tested
At the Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) funicular railway, the SAMBESI software is the top choice for maintaining the facilities.
Independent & experienced
“REMEC is independent and SAMBESI covers the requirements of all cable car manufacturers. SAMBESI avoids the company-specific maze of digital solutions,“ Stadler begins.
In addition, operators benefit from the adaptation of the software to their needs. Whether it‘s checklists, deadlines, or technical specifications – SAMBESI is tailored to the specific facility, and the content is reviewed by the cable car manufacturer.
The software runs on company tablets, is essentially self-explanatory, intuitively operable, and replaces the otherwise thick maintenance books and piles of paper for maintenance and duty of care documentation.
Reliable
Thanks to SAMBESI, the Merkur Mountain Railway in Baden-Baden, Germany, is maintained at its best.
Comprehensive & field-tested
“The 13 years of development lead are also reflected in the scope of SAMBESI features. We are definitely ahead of our competitors in that regard,“ Stadler is convinced.
In the software, all tasks and their completion are documented. This ensures that nothing is forgotten, and internal communication works perfectly. Whether it‘s shift changes or sick leave – every operator knows what has already been done, what still needs to be done, and even which tasks could be prioritized, especially during the quiet night shift.
“This allows the team to organize themselves very flexibly and freely, which promotes cohesion and diligence,“ Stadler shares from experience.
Additional information, such as an inspection date or an event that will generate many passengers, is also shared. Every problem and its solution is documented on-site with the tablet, including photos and keywords, ensuring legal compliance.
This way, everyone is on the same page.Explosion drawings from the cable car manufacturer are particularly helpful for maintenance. The operator can stand right next to the component and display all technical documents, such as plans and manuals, on the tablet.
“Even the TRUscan data, which is the fully automatic cable analysis from the manufacturer FATZER, is displayed in SAMBESI automatically,“ says Stadler.
The software is also valuable for operations managers. They can analyze problems, improveworkflows, and plan tasks with it. This enables predictive maintenance, ensuring that knowledge is retained even with personnel turnover, as the cloud archive doesn‘t forget.
Success in the Far East.
The Peak Tramway in Hong Kong, China, also relies on SAMBESI.
Implementation & consultation
The integration of the software into operations is always done with strong support from REMEC. The experienced cable car experts not only tailor the software to the needs of the facilities but also provide on- site training, in close collaboration with cable car manufacturers, control suppliers, and operators.
REMEC also provides remote support after implementation. “We can access the system at any time, connect remotely, and provide maintenance tips,“ says Stadler. Continuous updates and the cloud installed in Switzerland ensure data protection and IT security.
It‘s no wonder that not only numerous mountain railways rely on REMEC but also urban cable cars. Examples include the funiculars in Luxembourg, Hong Kong, and Baden- Baden, the ropeway in Haifa, Israel, as well as six facilities operated by Usha Brecco Ltd in India.
“Furthermore, we are confident that we will soon establish a presence in South America. Several offers through the partner IST Cables are waiting for confirmation,“concludes Stadler.
