ASSET Rail

A digital revolution on rails

Sector

Maintenance
Transport

Deliverables

Android app

Framna-Case-ASSET Rail-Video_alternative_Image_Static-21x9

User screen from the ASSET Rail maintenance app.

Redefining railway maintenance

ASSET Rail, a key maintenance partner for ProRail, operates in a high-stakes industry where off-the-shelf software falls short: prone to errors and limiting true digital transformation. To break these constraints, ASSET Rail partnered with Framna to develop a custom-built mobile solution that accelerates operations, enhances safety, and drives business growth.

In 2023, this transformation culminated in the master release of ASSET Rail’s technical ecosystem. The impact? Safer worksites, a more attractive workplace, seamless scalability, increased margins, and an unshakable market position.

Precision under pressure

For ProRail, safety is non-negotiable. Trains only run when conditions are 100% secure, with minimal delays. This makes time pressure a constant factor in ASSET Rail’s operations, increasing the risk of errors. But in railway safety, mistakes are not an option.

ASSET Rail operates under strict safety regulations, procedures, and protocols, while also meeting contractual performance targets tied to incident frequency, response times, and maintenance efficiency. Every minute counts. Literally. A bonus-malus system determines penalties or rewards based on delays, meaning even a single minute over or under impacts operational outcomes.

Smart digital infrastructure

Efficiency, speed, and safety go hand in hand. That is why we developed a cutting-edge digital infrastructure for ASSET Rail’s workforce—featuring two custom-built Android apps and a precision-engineered backend. Together, they automate processes wherever possible, eliminating human errors, accelerating operations, and enhancing worker safety. Designed for real-world conditions, the apps are available on both tablets and smartphones, functioning on- and offline. With a robust, field-ready interface, they remain fully operational in all environments. Rain or shine, day or night.

Notifications app

The notifications app is a simple, single-purpose tool that automatically retrieves incident reports from ProRail’s systems. It delivers real-time updates on malfunctions and response times, complete with push notifications—eliminating the need for calls with ProRail’s dispatch center. By ensuring that critical information reaches technicians instantly, the app significantly speeds up response times and provides 24/7 visibility into on-site conditions. Faster insights mean faster action, keeping railway operations safe, efficient, and on track.

A top-level backend

At the core of ASSET Rail’s digital infrastructure is a cutting-edge, high-performance backend. ASSET Rail is the first subcontractor with direct integrations into ProRail’s systems and other partners. To maximize these integrations, we customized an open-source API from CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) to seamlessly transmit data from ASSET Rail’s apps to Hexagon—an EAM platform linked to ProRail’s systems.

Hexagon centralizes ASSET Rail’s work orders, assets, and maintenance schedules, making them instantly available in the app. Technicians can input real-time data, which is fed directly back into ProRail’s ecosystem—creating a fully connected, automated, and future-proof workflow.

Maintenance app

The maintenance app streamlines inspections and upkeep of signals, level crossings, switches, and more. By predicting maintenance needs in advance, it helps ASSET Rail optimize workforce efficiency—saving valuable hours of skilled technicians. Engineers can enter measured values and maintenance data directly into the app, which instantly processes work orders, inspections, and other critical data. The smart walking routes feature provides precise, location-based insights, dramatically improving efficiency.

Mandatory safety instructions are fully digitized, ensuring that ProRail’s regulations are automatically applied across varying concession areas. The result is a demonstrably safe and well-maintained railway network. And as for piles of paperwork? A thing of the past.

Demonstrably safe driveability

ProRail is committed to maximum railway safety, continuously implementing measures to manage risks effectively. The Demonstrably Safe Driveability program (Aantoonbaar Veilige Berijdbaarheid or AVB in Dutch) identifies short-term risks while driving long-term structural improvements, with a specific focus on tracks and switches. AVB operates in close alignment with ProRail’s Performance-Based Maintenance (PBM) program, as many AVB-driven innovations lead to adjustments in work processes and maintenance contracts.

To implement these improvements, formats, regulations, tools, and dashboards are refined in collaboration with end users. New data sources are introduced, processes optimized, and cooperation with PBM contractors enhanced. The custom solution we developed for ASSET Rail provided a major digital advantage over competitors—enabling the company to play an active and valuable role in ProRail’s safety initiatives.

ASSET Rail

A digital revolution on rails

Sector

Category

Deliverables

Redefining railway maintenance

Recognition

Precision under pressure

Smart digital infrastructure

Maintenance on the go

Heightened safety

Top-level backend

Notifications app

37.5%

6,577

40%

A top-level backend

“With our current technical infrastructure, we are better able to inform ProRail about where we stand, what needs to be done, and potential risks. Framna's mobile customization has given us insight and an overview. And a satisfied client.”

Maintenance app

Demonstrably safe driveability

“By applying these apps, ASSET Rail cleverly connects the digital infrastructure with the infrastructure outside, without losing sight of the fact that the focus is on the engineers.”

Want to learn more about these products?

Menu

Get in touch

Socials

Subscribe to Framna