How Schüco automates its U-values
Innovation meets precision: Schüco International KG, together with BDF EXPERTS, has reached a milestone in the digital transformation of technical calculations.
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Innovation meets precision: Together with BDF EXPERTS, Schüco International KG has reached a milestone in the digital transformation of technical calculations. The construction supplier from Bielefeld relied on SAP Product and Process Governance (PPG) to revolutionise its complex Uf value calculation. The result: a heterogeneous system landscape became an intelligent, integrated solution for one of the most critical quality characteristics in the construction industry.
Thermal transmittance coefficients: the heart of sustainable building envelopes
The thermal transmittance coefficient (Uf value) is more than just a technical metric: it is the key to the energy efficiency of modern buildings. It determines how much heat energy is lost through window, door and façade 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 decisive for meeting energy efficiency standards, reducing the carbon footprint and ensuring the economic viability of a building. As a partner for the entire life cycle of the building envelope, Schüco accompanies its customers from the initial design idea through to maintenance. Reliable Uf values are the basis for well-founded decisions in every project phase.
The starting point: a complex system landscape as a challenge
As a pioneer of sustainable building envelopes, Schüco faced the task of ensuring accuracy and efficiency in determining Uf values. Its existing IT landscape was reaching its limits in this respect:
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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 carried out in a separate system, without the results being able to be fed back automatically.
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Lack of versioning: different standards and their versions were not managed consistently or traceably.
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Manual effort: the calculations were largely carried out by hand, which was time-consuming and error-prone.
The solution: SAP PPG as a central integration platform
BDF EXPERTS developed a tailored solution based on SAP Product and Process Governance (PPG), BDF’s own product for holistic data management. The implementation took place in three strategic steps:
1. System analysis and interface definition: first, the IT landscape was analysed in detail in order to precisely define the data flows between the systems. The required data from the SchüCal calculation software and SAP is now provided automatically.
2. Development of a cross-system key: the decisive step was establishing 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 receives a unique document version, so that standards and their versions are 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 characterised 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 benefits are:
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Automation: manual, error-prone calculations have been replaced by a fully automated, end-to-end process.
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Data quality: central, redundancy-free management led to a significant improvement in data quality and consistency.
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Integration: all the systems involved are now seamlessly connected, breaking down data silos and improving collaboration.
What sets this project apart
The solution built with SAP PPG goes far beyond a standard system integration. It is a tailored response to the specific requirements of the construction industry and, through an innovative, cross-system identification key, creates a single, unambiguous data foundation. The project proves how digital excellence can emerge from IT complexity. While many companies are still wrestling with isolated point solutions, Schüco has created an integrated platform that meets today’s requirements and is ready for the digitalisation steps to come.
Outlook: the foundation for future innovations
With the implemented solution, the Uf-value calculations are now firmly 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, laying the groundwork for even smarter, data-driven business processes.
About Schüco
Schüco International KG is a family-owned company headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, and part of the OTTO FUCHS Corporate Group.
Heinz Schürmann founded the company in Porta Westfalica in 1951. Schüco develops and sells system solutions for the building envelope made of aluminium, steel and PVC-U. Its portfolio includes window, door and façade systems as well as ventilation, security and sun shading systems. Smart, networked products for residential and commercial buildings, fabrication machinery and digital solutions round out the range. Schüco supports architects, planners, fabricators and investors through every phase of a building project, from the initial idea through planning, fabrication and installation to maintenance and servicing.
The company is active in more than 90 countries and generates around 65 percent of its revenue outside Germany.
About BDF EXPERTS
BDF EXPERTS is the brand of bdf consultants GmbH, a leading SAP Silver / SolEx partner with comprehensive end-to-end expertise in Digital Supply Chain and Corporate Finance & Treasury (CFT).
For more than 25 years, BDF EXPERTS has been helping companies, on the basis of SAP ERP and S/4HANA, to achieve measurable value creation through fully digitalised processes. In 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 centrally managing all product and process data in SAP, thereby laying the foundation for data-driven business models.
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The BDF EXPERTS Insights platform is aimed at decision-makers and specialists working with SAP, supply chain and corporate finance. It offers well-founded expert articles, practical insights and strategic perspectives on process harmonisation, digitalisation and technological developments.
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