FHR Anlagenbau GmbH (hereinafter ‘FHR’), based in Ottendorf-Okrilla, develops customised vacuum coating systems and offers suitable materials, coating services and technical support for research and industry worldwide. In 2023, FHR faced a crucial step: the introduction of a central content management system to restructure the technical documentation from the ground up and set it up sustainably and future-proof. Previously, the company had worked without a centralised system and content was created in a decentralised and individual manner.
In order to successfully organise this change, FHR decided in favour of SCHEMA ST4 from Quanos and the support of kothes as experts in technical documentation. Together, practical training concepts were developed, targeted workshops were held and the editorial team was professionally supported through all phases of the introduction.
The focus was on the standardisation and modularisation of content, cross-departmental collaboration and the establishment of lean and sustainable processes.
The result: a modern content management system landscape that ensures clarity, structure and reusability and enables FHR to strategically develop its technical documentation further. Further training courses and follow-up projects have already been initiated.
FHR Anlagenbau GmbH had to make a fundamental decision: the introduction of a content management system. Previously, the technical documentation department had worked in a decentralised manner and processes were regulated individually. However, as complexity and the number of variants increased, the previous structures were reaching their limits.
With the decision in favour of SCHEMA ST4, it was clear that the introduction should be professionally planned, methodically supported and geared towards stable structures and a reliable data basis right from the start.
To achieve this goal, the team looked for an experienced partner and found one in kothes.
The introduction of SCHEMA ST4 at FHR was not only intended to introduce new functions but also to lay the foundation for modern, scalable technical documentation that can be used across departments. Together with kothes, four key requirements were defined:
Do everything right from the start
The system launch had to be carefully planned and professionally supported. FHR wanted to avoid typical implementation mistakes and create clear technical and editorial structures right from the start. After all, a structured start saves time, effort and costs later on.
A data foundation that supports the system
The focus was on building a consistent and future-proof information base. Content had to be modular, reusable and well maintained – as a basis for efficient documentation processes, clear translation structures and sustainable further development.
Anchoring knowledge, not just imparting it
To ensure that the system is not just installed but also used in everyday work, more than just theory is needed. Practical training is required – tailored precisely to roles, needs and use cases. This turns theoretical know-how into practical application skills.
Thinking across departments instead of working in isolation
Documentation does not end at the writing desk. FHR wanted to break down information silos, make interfaces visible and create a common understanding of content. The goal: to improve information flows, identify synergies and avoid redundancies.
The task for kothes was clear: to support FHR with experience, methodological competence and technical expertise throughout the implementation – for a strong technical documentation team with a systematic approach.
The project began with a joint document review: kothes worked with FHR to analyse existing documentation practices and identify specific areas for optimisation. Initial discussions identified concrete requirements and challenges, ranging from the operation of the new system and editorial processes to cross-departmental information flows.
The focus was on the central question: What conditions must be created to ensure that SCHEMA ST4 can be used in a structured, efficient and sustainable manner right from the start?
On this basis, kothes developed a tailor-made training concept, individually tailored to the requirements and roles at FHR. The modules at a glance:
All training courses were practical, role-based and tailored directly to everyday work at FHR. This ensured that knowledge was not only imparted, but also firmly anchored.
Strengthening documentation processes, promoting collaboration
A content management system only reveals its full potential when the processes behind it are also effective. That is why another focus was on the structural development of the documentation department: content should be modular, maintained in a process-oriented manner and coordinated across teams.
The cross-departmental workshop in particular created a common understanding of roles, requirements and content, thus laying the foundation for consistent collaboration across departments.
And the project continues: further training for additional teams is already being planned, as is a strategic follow-up workshop to further develop the use of the system. This will keep FHR on track in the long term.
With the introduction of SCHEMA ST4 and targeted support from kothes, FHR has not only modernised its technical documentation department in technical terms, but also developed it further in terms of structure and organisation. Documentation processes are now clearly defined, content is modular and collaboration across departments has improved noticeably.
Thanks to practical training, writers have the knowledge they need to use ST4 confidently and efficiently in their day-to-day work. Even complex content can now be prepared, versioned and reused in a targeted manner. This is a clear win for quality, transparency and resource efficiency.
The cross-departmental coordination initiated during the workshops was particularly valuable. It created a common understanding of requirements, roles and information flows, thus laying the foundation for a networked, cross-team documentation strategy.
With the support quota in place, FHR remains flexible in its day-to-day business: queries are answered quickly, new employees can be trained quickly and existing processes can be further developed in a targeted manner.
We are rounding off the project with the prospect of further training courses.
"Working with kothes was a real benefit for us at every stage. The individually tailored training courses, cross-departmental workshops and structured introduction were particularly helpful in integrating SCHEMA ST4 securely into our processes. Thanks to the professional support of the entire kothes team, we feel well prepared for whatever lies ahead. The entire documentation team would like to take this opportunity to thank kothes for the excellent cooperation and support. We look forward to further exciting projects that we will implement together with kothes," summarises Gabriele Gröger from FHR Anlagenbau GmbH.
The introduction of SCHEMA ST4 was much more than an IT project for FHR: it was the starting signal for modern, future-oriented and sustainable technical documentation.