Stiebel Eltron embarks on CIM DATABASE for multi project management

Enterprise-wide PDM/PLM-platform to manage the product development process

Bremen, 8th May 2007 – Stiebel Eltron, internationally well-known manufacturer of domestic and system technology for hot water, central heating, air-conditioning and renewable sectors, is currently preparing the launch a CIM DATABASE based PDM/PLM solution . In order to ensure their course of expansion in the long-run through an optimized product development, the group now invests in an enterprise-wide multi project management platform. Based on the new PDM/PLM solution starting point ist the management of all technical and project related documents, a continuous engineering change management, the synchronisation with SAP® and the integration of the long-time archive Hyparchiv. In a second step functions for planning, executing and controlling projects will be added. Approx. 230 users beyond locations and departments actively working with CIM DATABASE will be supported in a the final stage; for more than 500 other users CIM DATABASE will be available as a central source of product related information.

Stiebel Eltron belongs also overseas to Germany’s most well-known brands, and is represented on all continents through 15 affiliated companies and a world wide network of trading partners. Headquarter is Holzminden – and at the same time the biggest production facility. It is also home of the global administration and sales organisation. In addition high-tech production plants in Eschwege, Poprad/Slovakia, Ayutthaya/Thailand and Tianjin/China are part of the Stiebel Eltron group. At Holzminden a new production spot for the manufacturing of heat pumps is being developed for 10 Mio. €, which will be one of central Europe’s biggest with an area of 6.000 sqm. The company, founded in 1924, belongs to the international market leaders at the renewable energy sector through their heatpumps-systems and solar plants for hot water, and employs approx. 3000 people world wide.

At the moment the preparations for implementing CIM DATABASE are on their way. “During the past years we have done a big step forward, when we provided drafts and documents at our network. Now we want to do another big step. Among all systems we considered, we expect from CIM DATABASE the highest acceptance and the most benefits.” says Matthias Meckle, head of the technical centre of information at Stiebel Eltron and also responsible for the introduction of CIM DATABASE.

A team, assigned with experts of the different departments, is developing together with the project management on the part of CONTACT Software the detailed specification to design application functions, user profiles, workflows, and document formats etc. Go live is planned for autumn, thereafter extending the new system with project management functions. These include management of tasks, activities and resources, time sheet functionality, of multi project views, MS Project integration, and the transfer of as-is-data to the ERP system.