Schaeffler Group – Cost-effective and high-quality wireless condition monitoring

Schaeffler OPTIME

Schaeffler OPTIME provides cost-effective and high-quality wireless condition monitoring. Monitoring the condition of machines can be a costly endeavour, leading to the fact that up to 95% of machines within factories receive only sporadic or no monitoring at all. This neglect can result in unexpected breakdowns and downtime. Schaeffler’s OPTIME offers comprehensive and affordable condition monitoring. Its simple plug-and-play installation allows for the monitoring of hundreds of rotating machines within a few hours. OPTIME is compatible with almost all machines and can detect potential damage, imbalances, or misalignments well in advance, providing ample time to plan long-term maintenance, allocate manpower, and arrange spare parts. The system offers three main user interfaces: mobile, web, and expert view. In the early stage, only the mobile UI was done with Flutter.

The start of the partnership

In the initial discussions between Schaeffler and Rebel App Studio by Codemate, we explored the possibility of using Flutter for their web platform UI development. Schaeffler had a working Flutter application for iOS and Android devices, and they wanted to offer the same great user experience for their web users as well. We didn’t want to make hasty decisions; instead, we aimed to carefully assess how well Flutter suited Schaeffler’s needs. We identified the key questions that needed answers and began our collaboration with a clearly defined Proof of Concept phase.

The main questions in the PoC:

• How suitable and future-proof is Flutter for Web in the dashboard renewal?
• To what extent can we leverage the existing codebase from the Flutter mobile application?
• What approach would we take to create and maintain the source code when developing both mobile and web with Flutter?
• What design steps and workloads can Schaeffler expect when using Flutter for both mobile and web platforms?

We developed a design vision that incorporated the current UI as well as future business and user needs. Our team analysed the existing mobile-focused Flutter codebase and created a working web application prototype. Architectural decisions were made collaboratively with Schaeffler personnel.

All questions were addressed in the Technical Evaluation Report, which confirmed that Flutter for Web is indeed suitable for Schaeffler’s needs.

OPTIME web dashboard with Flutter

Following the PoC, we began working with an agile team responsible for the UI development of the OPTIME web dashboard. The dashboard underwent a major upgrade to resolve inconsistencies in user experience across devices and to accelerate the development process. In 2022 and 2023, Rebel App Studio by Codemate developed the new OPTIME web dashboard, now built with Flutter. The primary aim of this development work was to establish a sustainable foundation for both mobile and web user interface technologies, with a strong focus on delivering an excellent customer experience and usability.

“Flutter’s greatest value lies in the unified codebase, which accelerates UI development. Our team utilises an integrated Figma and Flutter process, enabling real-time collaboration between design and development,” adds our team lead, Jukka-Pekka Siitonen.

The agile team continues to enhance the application with new features, and we have integrated both web and mobile development under the same team’s responsibility.

Added customer value through partnership

Since the launch of the revamped version, Schaeffler has received positive feedback from its customers. The usability of the user interface (UI) has significantly improved, and customers now have access to more detailed and extensive data to support their operations. Rather than simply looking for an application developer, Schaeffler sought a partner who would take full responsibility for UI development. The development team includes not only developers but also designers. “The design team has played a crucial role, and meticulous planning forms the foundation for future development. Rebel App Studio by Codemate has excelled in this area. They bring specialised UI design expertise, strong analytical skills, and their codebase continues to improve,” says Jari Savolainen, Head of Application & Solutions R&D at Schaeffler Group.

“The foundation for success has been our excellent, close collaboration with the experts at Codemate. Key elements have been open communication from the start and collaborative teamwork. We receive the same codebase for both mobile and web user interfaces from a single partner, ensuring consistent functionality and a uniform level of quality across platforms. Thanks to Flutter, further development is significantly faster.”, Savolainen summarises.

About Schaeffler Group: 

The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions, Industry 4.0, digitalization, and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. The motion technology company manufactures high-precision components and systems for drive train and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The Schaeffler Group generated sales of EUR 15.8 billion in 2022. With around 84,000 employees, the Schaeffler Group is one of the world’s largest family-owned companies. With more than 1,250 patent applications in 2022, Schaeffler is Germany’s fourth most innovative company according to the DPMA (German Patent and Trademark Office).