On 8 October, Metallbau Pesch in Hürth hosted “Hands-on AI for the trades”. Instead of just talking about artificial intelligence, businesses showed live where AI is already at work for them – with three stage demos, 13 exhibitors and expert talks from the field. WDR was there and reported on it.

We joined with a booth and a talk: “From chat window to colleague”. The core question: what does AI in the trades really mean? For us, it is not about opening a chat window and asking questions. It is about digital teammates that check reports, prepare quotes and hand them over for approval. People keep the decision.

Why it matters: every job comes with documentation – inspection reports, readings, photos, signatures. Too often it gets done in the evening at a desk. With ProtocolHero it happens right on site on a phone or tablet, with a clean PDF at the end.

That is exactly what visitors tried out at our booth. The questions were almost always the same: how much time does this really save – and how fast is my team up and running?

My takeaway: AI in the trades does not convince on slides, but when you can get your hands on it. Our goal stays the same: less bureaucracy, more time for the craft.

Thanks to Metallbau Pesch for hosting, to everyone who made the day happen – and to WDR for stopping by. You can find the full feature with video and photos on our WDR page.

In our new video, we show you how to:

• share submissions directly via link or email

• secure shared documents with a password and expiration date

• individually enable PDF downloads and comments

• allow customers to ask questions directly within the protocol

• manage shared links centrally

• automatically send a shared link after a submission, if desired

Ideal for handover protocols, acceptance reports, inspection protocols, or documents shared for review – and much easier than repeatedly exporting PDFs and sending them back and forth via email.

I was invited by Fluke to 🇺🇸 Everett / Seattle, Washington, to experience the company from a completely different perspective.

This Influencer Day was about so much more than just new products or a behind-the-scenes look at manufacturing.

Above all, it was about people.

Over those few days, I met so many fascinating people, connected with influencers who have over 10 million followers, and built relationships that quickly turned into genuine friendships. It is truly an honor to be part of this group—people who share important messages with the younger generation.

Combined, the 10 of us reached nearly 20 million followers. To put that into perspective, that's equivalent to 25% of the entire German population — absolutely mind-blowing!

Fluke plays an incredibly vital role today. In an era of energy transition, expanding solar power, advancing technology, and massive AI server infrastructure, grid stability and protecting lives through precise measurement and maintenance are paramount to ensuring safety. This is exactly where Fluke shines as the global leader in test and measurement tools.

What stood out to me the most was the incredible attention to detail Fluke put into planning these days for us.

From exclusive insights into new products and their development, to touring the local manufacturing facility, visiting the Fluke Lab at the University of Washington, and sharing experiences like a Seattle Seahawks 🏈 football game—it was clear at every turn that this wasn't just about checking off an agenda.

It was about building relationships and creating shared memories.

And to me, that is the foundation of any great partnership.

Thank you to the entire Fluke team for the invitation, the warm hospitality, and these unforgettable days in Washington.

I am definitely taking home much more than just product insights. Every experience eventually comes to an end, but the memories remain. Thank you to Miki Mok, Alex Chillman, Parker Burke, and the rest of the team at Fluke Corporation.

This question is no longer just on the minds of SaaS founders like me; it’s also engaging many skilled trade businesses. From small shops to large enterprises, entirely new doors are suddenly opening. That’s because AI-assisted software development creates a fascinating effect.

Tangible results appear astonishingly fast. What used to require days of development work can now often be ready as a clickable interface after just a single afternoon. Tools like Claude, Codex, Cursor, Lovable, and Replit are built on precisely this principle: delivering rapid, visible success—the "quick win." An interactive prototype that sparks immediate enthusiasm.

However, from a practical standpoint, that doesn't go far enough. The crucial question for you isn't "Does the software work today?" but rather "What happens when your business becomes completely dependent on it for day-to-day operations tomorrow?" Who maintains the code when interfaces change or errors occur?

You can find my specific experiences and a more in-depth analysis in the detailed article below:

Scheduling jobs in the trades is often a balancing act between the calendar and documentation. Many businesses use separate tools for appointments and the actual protocols. However, our observation shows that operations only run truly smoothly when tasks and reports are directly linked.

With the "Calendar & Tasks" module in ProtocolHero, you can coordinate your daily tasks. You have three views at your disposal: list, calendar, and Kanban board. You can assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and filter everything by status, person, or timeframe. The biggest advantage is that you can link tasks directly to the corresponding protocols and submissions.

Our practical takeaway: This module is already included in the free "Gründer" plan. It is specifically designed for documentation planning. If you are looking for a lean solution to connect your reports with appointments, rather than introducing an overloaded, complex project management tool, this feature is definitely worth a closer look.

New help video: in a few minutes we explain what reference points are in ProtocolHero and how to use them day to day — using a service report as the example.

Reference points tell you instantly which customer, asset or job a report belongs to, without opening every protocol. You set primary, secondary and optional extra references in the editor, values fill in while completing a submission, and later you filter the submissions list by customer or object.

Whether you work in plumbing, HVAC, electrical, construction, painting, metalwork, vehicles, wood or service & compliance: once jobs recur, clear assignment pays off — and your team finds history faster.

No account yet? Start for free and set up reference points on your first protocol.

Twietmeyer Energietechnik · Robin Twietmeyer, Managing Director

“The first time I heard about ProtocolHero, I was excited by the vision from minute one – and today I’m proud that I got the product immediately, as ProtocolHero’s very first customer.”

In the energy trade, documentation often happens in parallel on site, in the workshop and in the office. ProtocolHero brings proof into one place – and Robin could align his needs directly with the team.

That’s why Twietmeyer will also use ProtocolHero for PV systems, heat pumps and further areas going forward.

New help video: in about eight minutes we walk through the full ProtocolHero first run – no training and no IT skills required.

You’ll see how to create your workspace, pick a matching template, fill your first protocol, and hand it over as a PDF.

Ideal for your very first login, or when you want to show someone on the team the fast path in.

Hero Community Day 2026 · Saturday, 11 July 2026 · Alpenerstr. 16, Cologne-Ehrenfeld

On 11 July we opened our new Cologne-Ehrenfeld office with practical ideas, honest conversations and people who are moving the electrical trade forward.

Between workshop reality and digital future, the day focused on the questions businesses face every day: How do processes get clearer? Where does AI help concretely? And how can inspection and documentation work better together?

The motto “Every move counts” ran through the day. Progress isn’t one big leap — it’s good decisions, practical tools and open exchange.