When all project data is clearly organized in one place, everyone knows their tasks, and it becomes less likely for changes to be overlooked from either side, it sounds like huge progress in terms of efficiency. For projects using large-size Silka XL Plus calcium-silicate blocks in Germany, it's now a reality: "With PlanXchange, we're taking our customer communication to a new level," says project manager Martin Müller. The platform transparently maps all processes in the planning of new Silka XL Plus buildings in a workflow-oriented manner - from the order to the final delivery. The pilot phase began in March with three Silka plants in Germany, and soon all six will be on board - a huge leap compared to the manual process of the past.

From tedious manual work to a fully digital planning platform

"Previously, all communication with the customer for a new order was done in the traditional way - via e-mails and PDFs," explains project manager Martin Müller. This was sometimes a bit tedious, up to confusing for both parties: "Something was often missing, so those involved in the project had to keep asking the customer. " With PlanXchange, this is no longer the case, at least for Silka XL Plus products, fully prefabricated large-size sand-lime bricks. Even the order request is directly linked to the new exchange platform: For new orders, customers automatically receive an invitation to use PlanXchange, where they define the project structure with all building and site data. Customers can see important contacts at Xella, their own to-dos and news there immediately. Those who are not yet familiar with the platform receive training. The team also created a landing page with video tutorials.
Once the customer has entered all the project data, Xella's central drawing office in Sofia produces a draft of the planned building, consisting of Silka XL Plus. Further processing is completely digital and transparent: "In the past, the customers printed out the designs and adjusted them by hand. Now they can do it directly on the platform. Our draft team receives all adjustments immediately, clearly prepared, and implements them just as quickly and less error-prone," explains Martin Müller.

Xella's own features promote three-dimensional planning

The Xella project team has also added a number of specific workflow elements to the planning tool: "With more than 40 bright minds from several countries, we have significantly enhanced and expanded the entire platform," says project manager Müller. For example, the integration of various interfaces is a special feature at Xella, as is the networked collaboration on three-dimensional BIM (Building Information Modeling) projects, as Digital Solution Manager Andreas Radischewski explains: "In the case of BIM projects, the tool automatically informs the blue.sprint team. This enables them to provide advice at an early stage."
BIM or not: PlanXchange displays each building as a three-dimensional model – depending on customer preference, directly in the program or projected onto the desktop as augmented reality via mobile phone and tablet. Through an interface to HoloDesk, the customer can even view any project through HoloLens.

Opportunities for other countries

Although the pilot phase is running with just one product, the project manager sees no limits for other materials and countries besides Germany. Müller explains: "Whenever we plan something internally that the customer has to correct or approve, PlanXchange makes sense - if only because it is less error-prone." Following the successful pilot in Germany, PlanXchange is set to be rolled out in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg - and soon for other Xella building materials.