Customer Reference
Busch Vacuum Solutions

About Busch Vacuum Solutions

Vacuum pumps, blowers and compressors: Small parts with huge impact These technologies play a crucial role across various sectors, including the production of medical and scientific instruments like CRTs and electron microscopes, the manufacturing of electric lamps, semiconductor processing, furniture coating, food packaging, wastewater management, and agricultural applications such as milking machines. Vacuum solutions are essential in maximizing the potential of innovations in these diverse fields. And there is a good chance that Busch Austria has a hand in this. As the Austrian sales and service branch of the internationally recognized German family-owned company Busch Vacuum Solutions, it stands as a prominent leader in the industrial vacuum solutions market within Austria and its neighboring regions.

Consequently, it is not unexpected that the variety of vacuum solutions offered is extensive, reflecting the diverse applications available. “We not simply deliver vacuum pumps. Together with the sales department, we design a fully operational, sustainable system that is precisely tailored to the respective requirements”, explains Dr. Guido Rudolph, Head of Product Configuration at Busch Vacuum Solutions.

Time is money

Particularly regarding the duration required to create the order in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and to issue the quotation. “And if you position yourself as a reliable partner for your customers, delays are simply unacceptable,” adds Guido Rudolph.

The prolonged duration of this process was primarily attributed to the manual creation of orders. Following the analysis and design of the appropriate solution for the client, it became essential to assess costs, availability, production choices, and delivery timelines, which required extensive coordination. It was evident that a comprehensive digital process was essential, encompassing the entire journey from the customer through configuration, quotation/order, production, and delivery to invoicing. This process needed to eliminate the necessity for manual data transfers due to insufficient interfaces.

Uniform system landscape created

In mid-2019, Busch approved the ambitious modernization project. There were very specific goals right from the start. From the outset, specific objectives were outlined, aiming to develop a clear IT system landscape. The integration of various tools was crucial for a seamless operation, including the PLM and ERP systems from different vendors (Siemens Teamcenter and SAP S/4HANA), along with an SAP cloud solution for CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and CPQ (Configure, Price Quote). Special emphasis was placed on variant configuration.

“We understand the requirements of 'hidden champions' such as Busch. The strategy of utilizing a standardized system architecture, which can then be fully tailored to their specific needs, is indeed the appropriate approach for such ambitious small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We take pride in having played a role in Busch's successful digital transformation through our expertise," states Gerhard Krennmair, Head of Manufacturing at msg Plaut Austria.

The seasoned IT professional from msg specifically highlights a custom software add-on developed by msg for the S/4 variant configurator. The msg S/4 DMI solution for variant manufacturers is built upon a preconfigured ERP system that encompasses integrated end-to-end processes, complemented by msg.Variant as a specialized additional solution for variant configuration.

Connecting different systems

What is special here: The msg solution integrates seamlessly with existing SAP systems. Its open interfaces facilitate straightforward connectivity with products from other vendors, specifically Siemens Teamcenter.  Heiko Sommer, an SAP Senior Consultant at msg, remarks, "Busch truly undertook groundbreaking efforts in this regard, as the choice to develop the technical components of the configuration models within Siemens Teamcenter was bold and had the potential to lead to complications.

Nevertheless, this calculated risk proved beneficial. Because the transfer of models, along with their object dependencies, occurs effortlessly through the interface. Guido Rudolph encapsulates the outcome by stating, "This significantly simplifies the work for our developers. The benefit: There is no requirement to exit the familiar Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environment in order to create or manage BOMs or object dependencies within SAP.

Significant achievements with future prospects

Krennmair expresses satisfaction: “With its solution, msg has crafted a comprehensive tool that is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the manufacturing sector. Featuring extensive interfaces to sales, production planning, materials management, finance, and variant configuration, the msg solution provides numerous opportunities for an end-to-end and uniform system landscape.

Busch Vacuum Solutions shares this vision. In March 2022, the product configuration solution designed for the creation of material variants (msg.Variant Material) was rolled out by msg Plaut in two out of six Busch plants. Currently, approximately ten percent of the entire portfolio of Busch vacuum solutions has been mapped through variant configuration utilizing the msg solution. The bridge to CPQ, which will enable Busch Austria to perform its own configuration, is scheduled for the upcoming year. Gerhard Krennmair and Heiko Sommer concur that Busch's engagement with the new IT landscape has proven to be beneficial thus far.

“In companies that do not utilize product configuration, the process of generating quotations and orders for standard products, which could otherwise be managed through a configurator, typically spans approximately two weeks. This duration is required for the product to be entered into the ERP system and for all parties involved in the process to update their respective data. Only after this step can the order confirmation be dispatched and the product manufactured. This entire process can now be accomplished in just one to two minutes," estimates Guido Rudolph.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes that focusing on future developments is of greater significance to him. He recognizes significant opportunities ahead, particularly regarding the system's scalability and the topic of variant configuration: “Even seemingly simple and standardized products can attain an unforeseen degree of complexity through variant configuration, thereby enabling the provision of a diverse range of products derived from a modular system consisting of a limited number of components. Fast and with the best service. The new system incorporating the solution from msg has established a robust technological framework. It is now our responsibility to maximize its benefits both now and in the future, fully harnessing its potential for our benefit and that of our customers."