Press release – January 15, 2024

ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik: Instantly ready for take-off with CIM Database Cloud

The airship manufacturer is replacing its keytech environment for centralized project and document management with CIM Database Cloud from CONTACT Software. The cloud offering enables ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik (ZLT) to benefit from a quick implementation and provides maximum flexibility. 

In July 1900, the first Zeppelin took to the skies over the German town of Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. Since 1993, ZLT has been developing its modern successors at this very location. Five Zeppelin NT (“Neue Technologie”, German for “New Technology”) are in operation worldwide, with a sixth one scheduled for completion in 2024. The 75-meter-long airships are used for a variety of purposes, from tourist flights to atmospheric research. ZLT is now replacing its existing keytech system for PLM and document management with CONTACT’s CIM Database Cloud. The low-code platform is easy to configure and comes with Project Office for transparent and efficient project management.

While the existing PDM system allowed for the management of design data, other important files, such as approval documents, had to be managed outside the PDM environment in a file system without automated status and version control. Furthermore, users were not able to process tasks in product development using digital workflows. Processes had to be painstakingly programmed, making their adaptation and representation complex. As a result, they were frequently not digitalized at all.

With CIM Database Cloud, Zeppelin seamlessly integrates its CAD and ERP tools and creates a Single Source of Truth for enterprise-wide document management. An audit trail comprehensively documents change processes so that all steps can be traced. The integrated workflow engine enables administrators to easily map company processes. Contract management will also become part of the solution in the future.

The airship manufacturer uses CONTACT modules including task management, role concepts, and workflow management to digitalize and automate its processes. Users benefit from efficient project management and can generate reports at the push of a button. Following the go-live in late 2024, additional features such as requirements management will be introduced and further departments will be connected. 

“We are excited to take a significant step toward the future with CONTACT CIM Database Cloud,” says Karin Bernhardt, Head of Configuration Management at ZLT. “Cloud operation relieves our IT department and allows us to go live quickly.”