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22.01.2026 | Circular economy, Digital Services, GTMS, Services, Tool Management

GTMS from the beginning
Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn-School digitizes tool management with Gühring

The Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn School is digitalising its Tool Management with the Gühring Tool Management Software (GTMS) and two new dispensing systems. This not only represents an important step towards digitalisation for the Vocational School Centre, but also promotes the skills of tomorrow’s young talents with modern technologies.

Schüler und Lehrer der Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn-Schule freuen sich über einen Werkzeugschrank von Gühring

When the school bell rings, students at Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn School hurry back to their classrooms and workshops. As a dual training partner, the Vocational School Centre in Balingen offers training in more than 50 professions, and its educational programme also includes other types of schooling, right up to technical college entrance qualifications and A-levels. As different as the individual educational paths are, they have one thing in common: learning takes place in the same rooms, on the same machines and with the same tools. With such a large size of students, it is a real challenge to maintain order and keep track of all the tools at the same time.

Gühring’s dispensing systems digitalises tool dispensing

A case for Tool Management by Gühring: the tool manufacturer from Albstadt offers hardware and software for digital Tool Management from a single source. With the purchase of two new dispensing systems and the corresponding software, the Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn School has found a simple solution for managing tools, testing and operating resources, and other items used in the classroom. This not only allows teachers to keep track of everything, but also teaches all students the necessary know-how to find their way around a digitalised manufacturing environment.

Eine Schülerin bedient den Monitor des Werkzeugschranks
“A major advantage of our dispensing systems is their flexibility in terms of configuration,” explains Maximilian Kessler, Project Engineer for Tool Management at Gühring. “Together with the teachers, we defined the requirements and tailored the configuration of the two dispensing systems to the teaching environment.” Each student receives their own login data, which they can use to log in before removing a tool.

“Thanks to flexible authentication options, students can choose between fingerprint, card chip reader or PIN. Most students used the fingerprint for login because, unlike the chip, it cannot be lost and registration is particularly quick,” reports Kessler. The user data is encrypted in the database in accordance with legal requirements. When the tool is no longer needed, the system automatically opens the correct drawer. This eliminates the risk of tools being misplaced and subsequently difficult to find.

Zwei Männer bedienen einen Werkzeugschrank in einer Werkstatt

The access function also allows teachers to flexibly determine which classes can access which tools and measuring instruments. “One of the two systems was adapted to the performance level and knowledge of the students” explains Ottmar Hörter, a teacher at the Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn School. For example, in the first years of training, students only have access to a limited selection of tools – drawers containing higher-quality tools that are only needed later in the training programme cannot be opened by the respective users at all.” says Hörter.

“The digitalised tool dispensing system allows us to keep track of everything and see exactly which student has taken which tools and put them back in the right place after class.” The second dispensing system, on the other hand, meets different requirements: “Due to the different professions, classes and learning content, the portfolio of tools I need for my lessons is much broader,” explains Gerd Hellstern, also a teacher at the Vocational School Centre. “For this reason, we have configured both the sorting of the tools within the drawers and the access authorisations differently,” adds Kessler. Gühring provides the Vacational School Centre with the experienced Tool Manager as a special service to ensure tailor-made training courses and practical, intensive support.

Focus on modern education

Digitalisation is a central component of modern education – that’s why we promote digital skills and provide preparation for our students for tomorrow’s workplace. The purchase and introduction of Gühring’s digital Tool Management System is a perfect example of this,” explains Matthias Bodmer, headmaster of the Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn School. “Not every training company works with such systems.

In einer geöffneten Schublade im Werkzeugschrank liegen geordnet verschiedene Bohrer
That’s why we are creating the opportunity for our students to learn how to use modern technologies from day one,” says Bodmer. The training went smoothly – for both teachers and students, the two dispensing systems are already an integral part of the workshop rooms. “We value Gühring as a long-standing cooperation partner and are delighted to be embarking on the path to digitalisation together,” summarises headmaster Matthias Bodmer.

As one of the largest training companies in the Zollernalbkreis, Gühring is also well aware of the indispensable contribution the Vocational School Centre makes during apprentices’ training. Each year, Gühring trains around 30 new apprentices and students – including industrial mechanics, precision toolmakers, mechatronics technicians, and also combination study course students who complete the theoretical part of their training in Balingen,” reports Kathrin Stricker, Training Manager at Gühring. “As a training company, we ultimately have a common goal with our dual training partners: to offer young people the best possible training in order to attract qualified young talent for the future.”

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