Carl Zeiss Metrology Portal: global, Internet-based discussions and value-added services covering all aspects of measuring technology

In addition to a highly accurate measuring machine, the most important resources in measuring technology are the latest software and detailed application knowledge. Today, knowledge and software updates are increasingly exchanged via the Internet. Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology (IMT) has accompanied this development over the past 10 years with discussion forums and software downloads.

In order to meet the rising demands of measuring tasks, Carl Zeiss IMT has now created the Metrology Portal, thus considerably expanding the existing offering. The objective is to support customers in their daily measuring work and plans for future projects, and to increase their productivity.

The Metrology Portal provides beginners and experts with information for all areas of measuring technology. Furthermore, additional information is available to customers who have a software support agreement with Carl Zeiss. The Metrology Portal is unparalleled.

Contents and benefits
The top priority while developing the Metrology Portal was customer benefit. This benefit was also emphasized by the first users: “It is amazing how quickly you can find answers to your metrology problems,” says Dieter Finner, Production Planner and measuring specialist at tedrive Germany GmbH in Dürren. He added that “discussions with other measuring technicians in the forums opened u p new perspectives and that downloads provide an interesting support mechanism for our daily work with measuring software.” Carl Zeiss also benefits: “The mutual exchange of knowledge allows users to increase their know-how and solidify existing knowledge,” says Dr. Roithmeier from the Knowledge Management Group. “This mutual exchange of knowledge creates advantages for both sides. Our customers can more effectively use their measuring machines and we can learn from our customers.” If several customers have difficulties understanding or using something, these problems are integrated into the development of new training concepts, documents, software and hardware to ensure that they do not arise in the future.

Extensive eLearning videos, descriptions of the fundamentals and various measuring technologies provide customers with an opportunity for self-study, thus enabling new users to acquire basic knowledge more quickly and experienced users to refresh what they have already learned.

Short programs, help scripts, macros for myCALYPSO and other software add-ons are available. Anyone can upload or access programs and macros. Other users can enhance programs and republish them. Carl Zeiss employees test these programs and label them “ZEISS verified” to ensure that they meet the company’s high standards of quality.

Glossaries and basic information are available to clarify fundamental questions and help ensure that everyone uses the same terminology, thus facilitating better communication between Carl Zeiss and users.

More extensive offering with software support agreement
Customers who have a software support agreement with Carl Zeiss can download all software updates and service patches for their measuring software via the Metrology Portal. This guarantees that their software is always up to date. Furthermore, extensive product documentation is available to users. The latest versions of user manuals for software, measuring machines and accessories, as well as setup and safety instructions are always available.

A machine database provides customers with a small machine log book for all of their measuring machines. A wide range of information is available—from basic data about the equipment up to every single service call. “The added value provided to customers of Carl Zeiss is amazing,” summarizes Franz Nagel, Project Manager for New Media.

For more information and to register, please go to https://extranet.zeiss.de/metrologyportal

The Carl Zeiss Metrology Portal is an Internet-based community for users of measuring technology, which offers a variety of possibilities for users to expand their knowledge and communicate with others
CONTURA G2 navigator is now available for measuring applications with increased requirements on accuracy and productivity.

Further information is available at www.zeiss.com/imt.

Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology is a member of the Carl Zeiss Group. It is the global leader in CNC coordinate measuring machines and complete, multi-dimensional metrology solutions for a wide variety of industrial sectors. Approximately 1,500 employees at three manufacturing locations and more than 100 sales and service centers serve customers around the world. Carl Zeiss is a globally leading international group of companies in the optical and opto-electronic industry. In fiscal year 2006/07 (ended 30 September), the Carl Zeiss Group, which is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, generated sales totaling EUR 2,604 million. The Carl Zeiss Group has approximately 12,300 employees, including about 4,300 outside Germany.