Technical purchasing follows the process steps specification, call for tenders, ordering, engineering, production, homologation, delivery and commissioning.
The first step, the specification, is decisive for the later costs. The more a manufacturer is able to draw on an existing concept – that is perhaps already approved – the lower the costs will be.

In the past there have also been huge difficulties with the process steps homologation and commissioning in Europe.

With our extensive practical know-how, especially in the areas of infrastructure and rolling stock, we support you with consulting and innovative solutions.

With increasing competition in the transport sector the cost pressure rises. Maintenance costs make up a significant part of the operating costs. In future it will be essential to define the right content and apply lean processes to ensure high-quality maintenance of the means of transport at low costs.
This is not only of interest to operators, but also to vehicle manufacturers who increasingly take on maintenance services in order to offer operators a full range of services.

With our expertise we help you to develop concepts to increase vehicle availability and reduce your maintenance costs.

For every company where purchasing makes up a high proportion of the costs (railways approx. 50%, vehicle manufacturers more than 50%) it is decisive to be able to buy at favourable terms. A good purchasing department can and must ensure this. The prerequisites are intelligently structured strategic purchasing and lean operative purchasing. Purchasing is also crucial for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in production.

From our own experience (successfully managed change process for a purchasing division with a purchasing volume of around €10 billion) we know the problems specific to purchasing and are able to develop and implement solutions together with you.

Industry 4.0 has become a buzzword in modern production. For the manufacturers it means increasingly automated production that reduces costs and throughput times. For the operator it can mean revolutionising control wherever industrial-type processes are used.
In the area of maintenance Industry 4.0 is already a reality: while the train is still in operation spare parts and staff are automatically allocated for the train’s workshop visit based on the data collected.

We believe that there is no alternative to this development. For us Industry 4.0 is an evolutionary process to intelligently network existing and new technologies.

In regional rail transport operator changes are becoming more frequent as calls for tender by federal states are increasingly won by competitors rather than DB Regio. In the past such operator changes have often involved operational start-up problems with negative consequences for customers.

As an expert adviser we can help you to identify and resolve potential problems in advance. With our experience in the successful commissioning of infrastructure projects, maintenance workshops and vehicles we have the knowledge to minimise start-up problems and prevent negative effects on operations.

Due to their diversity and complexity, the successful planning, supervision and realisation of projects in the rail industry is very demanding and both manufacturers and operators are confronted with a multitude of demands and tasks.

VIA CONSULTING advises and supports you with the implementation of all topics mentioned above – either with classic consulting or by coming to work in-house for a limited period of time.