21.10.2025
Success Story: How Schüco automates its UF values
Innovation meets precision: Schüco International KG has teamed up with BDF EXPERTS to achieve a milestone in the digital transformation of technical calculations. The Bielefeld-based construction supplier relied on SAP Product and Process Governance (PPG) to revolutionize its complex Uf value calculation. The result: a heterogeneous system landscape has been transformed into an intelligent, integrated solution for one of the most critical quality characteristics in the construction industry.
Heat transfer coefficients: The core of sustainable building envelopes
The heat transfer coefficient (Uf value) is more than just a technical indicator—it is the key to the energy efficiency of modern buildings. It determines how much heat energy is lost through windows, doors, and facade elements. A low Uf value means better insulation performance and therefore lower energy consumption. In times of rising energy costs and strict climate targets, the precise calculation of Uf values is crucial for meeting energy efficiency standards, reducing the carbon footprint, and ensuring the economic efficiency of a building. As a partner for the entire life cycle of the building envelope, Schüco supports its customers from the initial planning idea to maintenance. Reliable Uf values are the basis for sound decisions in every phase of the project.
The starting point: a complex system landscape as a challenge
As a pioneer in sustainable building envelopes, Schüco was faced with the task of ensuring accuracy and efficiency in determining Uf values. The existing IT landscape reached its limits:
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Heterogeneous systems: Data from SAP, CAD applications, and configurators had to be merged manually.
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Isolated processes: The Uf value calculation was performed in a separate system without the results being automatically fed back.
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Lack of versioning: Different standards and their versions were not managed consistently and traceably.
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Manual effort: The calculations were mostly performed manually, which was time-consuming and prone to errors.
The solution: SAP PPG as a central integration platform
BDF EXPERTS developed a customized solution based on SAP Product and Process Governance (PPG), BDF's own product for holistic data management. The implementation was carried out in three strategic steps:
1. System analysis and interface definition: First, the IT landscape was analyzed in detail to precisely define the data flows between the systems. The necessary data from the SchüCal calculation software and SAP is now provided automatically.
2. Development of a cross-system key: The decisive step was the establishment of a unique identification key for each profile. This ensures recognition and versioning across all systems.
3. Implementation of intelligent versioning: Via SAP document management, each new Uf value version is assigned a unique document version, enabling standards and their versions to be managed systematically and in an audit-proof manner.
Measurable success: From manual to automated
The transformation led to significant improvements in quality, efficiency, and transparency.
Before: The processes were characterized by a heterogeneous system landscape, manual calculations, a lack of versioning, and incomplete data feedback.
After: Today, Schüco has a central SAP PPG platform with automated processes, systematic versioning, and seamless system integration.
The key added values are:
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Automation: Manual and error-prone calculations have been replaced by a fully automated process.
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Data quality: Centralized and redundancy-free management has led to a significant increase in data quality and consistency.
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Integration: All systems involved are now seamlessly connected, eliminating data silos and improving collaboration.
Customer testimonial: A significant milestone
What makes this project special
The solution implemented with SAP PPG goes far beyond standard system integration. It is a tailor-made response to the specific requirements of the construction industry and creates a unique database using an innovative, cross-system identification key. The project demonstrates how IT complexity can give rise to digital excellence. While many companies are still struggling with isolated solutions, Schüco has created an integrated platform that meets current requirements and is equipped for future digitalization steps.
Outlook: The basis for future innovations
With the implemented solution, Uf value calculations are optimally established as a central data source in SAP. The next planned step is to connect via SAP BTP to enable real-time queries by external systems—the basis for even more intelligent, data-driven business processes.
About Schüco
The Schüco Group, headquartered in Bielefeld, develops and distributes system solutions for the building envelope made from aluminum, steel, and plastic. The product portfolio includes window, door, façade, ventilation, security, and sun protection systems, as well as intelligent and networkable solutions for residential and commercial construction. Schüco also offers consulting and digital solutions for all phases of a construction project – from the initial idea to planning, manufacturing, and installation, right through to after-sales service with maintenance and repair. The portfolio is complemented by manufacturing machinery and customer-oriented service.
As one of the leading companies in the construction industry, Schüco is committed to being a pioneer in holistic sustainability and to making an active contribution to achieving climate neutrality and a circular economy in the construction industry with its products and services.
About BDF EXPERTS
BDF EXPERTS is the brand name of bdf consultants GmbH, a leading SAP Silver/SolEx partner with comprehensive expertise in the areas of digital supply chain and corporate finance & treasury (CFT). For more than 25 years, BDF EXPERTS has been helping companies achieve measurable value creation through end-to-end digitalized processes based on SAP ERP and S/4HANA. In the area of digital supply chain, BDF EXPERTS has developed particular expertise in holistic data management. With SAP PPG (Product and Process Governance), BDF EXPERTS offers an innovative solution for the central control of all product and process data in SAP, thereby creating the basis for data-driven business models. The consulting services cover all business processes of product lifecycle management (PLM) – from data import and document management (SAP DMS) to the entire supply chain (SAP SCM, MM, PP, PS, SAM).
In the area of corporate finance and treasury, BDF EXPERTS offers specialized solutions for financial processes, cash management, risk management, and compliance. With customized SAP implementations, we optimize financial flows, increase transparency, and support informed decision-making processes in the treasury area.
Its customers range from innovative medium-sized companies such as Groz-Beckert and Thermofin to global corporations such as Schüco, Scheuch, Haniel, Hilti, Bitburger, thyssenkrupp, and many more. The company employs 55 people at its locations in Düsseldorf and Munich. Through BDF EXPERTS AG, a subsidiary of bdf consultants GmbH based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, the company serves customers in Switzerland and Austria.
