data pioneers in our industry

We live and work in a data-driven world. For many companies, being able to access and utilise information quickly and effectively is the holy grail of data management. Over the last eight years Aalberts integrated piping systems has consecutively pioneered the use of managing data centrally, and sharing it internationally with websites, data pools, and wholesalers.

a pioneering spirit
“Innovation is essential to maintain our leading role in the industry,” explains Caspar van Zoelen, head of product management at Aalberts integrated piping systems. “Eight years ago we began using our Product Information System (PIM) to manage data of the more than 15,000 items we offer. Prior to this, there was no harmonisation in how products were catalogued, dimensioned or described. Because PIM is a centralised system, we only had to enter product details once, rather than having to track it in dozens of excel files across the company. And with all of our customers and important stakeholders able to access PIM, everyone was confident they were accessing the most up-to-date information.”

continuous improvements
Having laid the foundations with PIM, Aalberts integrated piping systems is, together with Aalberts hydronic flow control, today proudly taking another leap forward in data management, as it has actively supported and helped in the development of the innovative Open Uniform Objects Library (Open UOB). As an initiative that will improve the uniformity and quality of key data, the Open UOB makes information searches easier, more efficient and more accurate.

“The launch of the Open UOB is the culmination of many years of hard work,” Caspar says. “The switch to support the Open UOB means our information can now be accessed even faster and more flexibly for sector professionals who use Building Information Modelling (BIM), a process that enables the sector to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. We can make our data accessible to our many business partners, whether that’s e-commerce, BIM, or wholesalers. And because every product and system that installation companies and consultancies use in their models will soon be included, engineers will be able to search knowing they get the most accurate results possible.”

improved productivity
With regulations continually evolving and tightening at both national and international levels, Open UOB will help transform the way data is managed within the sector. “Buildings in the future will need to have digital footprints to ensure ease of management and maintenance,” Caspar explains. “End users and clients want continuous insight into the status of their building, while new laws and regulations require understanding of a building’s performance and the possible reusability of materials. And because Open UOB is based on an open standard - which means it can be used with different software packages throughout the chain - installers are going to push hard for the system to develop, because they understand that will increase productivity, while decreasing failure costs.”