Maximum flexibility and sustainability in application development
Air-conditioning and refrigeration specialist Viessmann replaces Lotus Notes and Google AppMaker applications and uses Simplifier to drive forward the implementation of its digitization strategy
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More Information1. Initial situation and challenge
Digital transformation is a central topic at Viessmann. The internationally active family-owned company from Allensdorf (Eder) in Hesse develops and produces integrated air conditioning and energy solutions for people, companies and communities worldwide. With many years of experience with Lotus Notes, Viessmann turned to Google AppMaker as part of its digitization strategy to modernize its outdated applications. The news that Google would no longer be offering the service from January 2021 therefore presented Viessmann with an immense challenge.
For the expert in air conditioning and energy solutions, there was an urgent need for action: The twelve existing AppMaker applications had to be migrated to a new platform within a period of just six months. To make matters worse, internal resources – especially in terms of developer capacity – were also limited at Viessmann. Consequently, efficient use and expansion of existing competencies were necessary. Therefore, in order to optimally manage the migration, non-developers were also to be included in the application creation process.
Since Viessmann was already using a low-code development platform (LCDP) with Google AppMaker and was familiar with the advantages of the technology, the new platform was also to be based on the low-code approach and thus smoothly enable the reusability of existing functions.
Viessmann-Werke
2. Solution and results
With Simplifier, the Hessian climate and energy expert found both the optimal platform and the right partner. Thus, Viessmann achieved a precision landing in the first joint project: The migration of the twelve existing applications was successfully completed one day before Google AppMaker was shut down and the apps subsequently went live. In the process, Viessmann was also able to realize the connection to various Google services as well as the integration of the user directory. In this way, the company ensured the reusability of these components and will be able to use them for all further applications in the future without any problems.
Overall, the low-code platform Simplifier was convincing as a complete package: the technical expertise and optimal support from the team as well as the flexible and future-proof technology. During the tender process, Viessmann placed a special focus on reducing dependencies, based on the experience gained. Simplifier also met this requirement, as the expert for climate and energy solutions retains sovereignty over the source code created (source code ownership). This flexibility was a unique selling point of the low-code platform in the selection process.
„The fact that the generated code remains under Viessmann’s sovereignty gives us a certain security and stability for our digitization strategy.”
Andreas Schreiber, Head of Google Cloud Platform and Development, ViessmannTop Facts Simplifier
Simplifier convinced by flexibility and source code ownership
The platform is excellently suited for the development of SAP and Google Workplace apps
Flexible integration into the Google ecosystem generates high reusability and sustainability
In addition, the platform is ideally suited for the development of SAP and Google Workplace apps thanks to the high compatibility factor. The fast and easy creation of SAP Fiori apps based on the UI5 framework offers a future-proof perspective. The flexible integration into the Google ecosystem additionally enables a high reusability and thus sustainability of the created applications. By involving employees from the specialist departments, Viessmann is also able to shorten the time-to-market of the applications and thus accelerate the digital transformation.
“Simplifier fits very well into our existing IT strategy. In the future, we will put a strong focus on the development of Fiori applications. We were pleased to find that in Simplifier we have found a platform that allows us to create UI5 applications quickly and easily.”>
Dr. Harald Dörnbach, Managing Director, Viessmann IT Service3. Outlook
Planning for the implementation of further applications based on Simplifier is already underway at Viessmann. Particularly with regard to the already completed S/4HANA migration, the low-code platform offers the necessary flexibility to develop straightforward, precisely fitting SAP Fiori applications. In addition, Viessmann can deploy new applications much faster via Simplifier and make changes to function and design without major effort.
„On the basis created, we are in a position to implement further applications that are important to us and to master any challenges that arise in Viessmann’s digitization projects more flexibly and sustainably thanks to Simplifier.”
Dr. Harald Dörnbach, Managing Director, Viessmann IT Service
