Gathering all the information possible on the production and distribution process and of course on the maintenance of all the installations on the different distribution points is key, as it is here where they can win or lose clients depending on the satisfaction of those with their product. The usual difficulties found on the maintenance part are:

• Lack of control over the maintenance process of the keg installations, to avoid deterioration of the beer.
  
• There is a need not to only realise the corrective maintenance but also a preventive one.
  
• There is no control over the own technical jobs, nor over the subcontracted ones.

The solution is the automatisation of the process developed in the plants, in a reliable and technical advanced way.

For the draught beer installations maintenance solution, TouchStar Authorised Partner Athelia uses RFID technology, which allows:

• Reliable identification and control of each installation.
  
• Control over planning, process and time.
  
• Preventive and corrective maintenance with precise record.
  
• Complete service, cleaning and repair history for each installation.
  
• Detailed records on system maintenance, e.g. parts replacement.
  
• Quality and service uniformity.
  

Athelia’s DBSM® solution has the following components:

• RFID tag fixed to the cooler.
  
• Maintenance kit for each technician, which includes amongst others a hand held terminal, a communication cradle and a conductivity meter.
  
• DBSM® Software for data capture and analysis by the technician. It can function in an independent way or linked to an ERP.
  

The key benefits this solution offers are:

• State of the art support for time control management, e.g. start and finish per customer visit per technician, technician’s routing.
  
• Comprehensive data and information management system to create statistical analysis on draught beer installations and maintenance.
  
• Information and management tools to improve and control the brewery’s planning, directives and service technicians’ activities.
  
• Individual equipment identification for better asset tracking and maintenance programs, preventive and corrective.
  
• Reduction of lost assets and improved stock management.
  
• Control over line cleaning and tasting results, improved quality control of draught beer, positive brand recognition, improved sales.
  
• Increase of cost savings: reduction of administration tasks (reports, invoicing, paperless budgets).