Results at a Glance

• Independent system maintenance 
  Schlüter-Systems KG can maintain the WinGuard building management system independently, providing a future-proof solution that supports the company’s dynamic growth.
• Intuitive use without prior knowledge 
  Users can access building details and hazard information intuitively, even remotely, without prior system knowledge.​
• Efficient fire alarm maintenance 
  Maintenance workflows can be suppressed when required. Regular fire alarm system updates require only a few clicks.​

Why rising systems?

As a Custom Development Partner and WinGuard Premium Integrator, rising systems develops the optimal building management solution for each customer. The guiding principle is clear: As much standard as possible, as much customization as necessary.

Our goal is achieved when our contacts find all the information they need within the system and can maintain it independently.

Help for Self-Help: Implementing WinGuard with rising systems

Just two years after founding the company in 1966, master tiler Werner Schlüter relocated his business to Iserlohn. Since then, the company has grown continuously. New ideas, new products, a training center, and international subsidiaries keep Schlüter-Systems KG in constant motion—a fact clearly reflected in the company premises. Visitors immediately notice the modern “Schlüter-WorkBox” training center as well as the newly constructed office and social building. As a family-owned business and one of the city’s largest employers, Schlüter-Systems KG also faces significant challenges in building management and fire protection. A heterogeneous site must be monitored at all times to ensure safe operations, including two powder coating plants, production facilities, a logistics center with high-bay warehouses, and multiple office buildings.

The Facility Management (FM) Technical Team consists of three technicians who are deeply familiar with both Schlüter-Systems KG and the entire site. One of them is Markus Schulz, who began his career as a maintenance technician, repairing and servicing machines, systems, and office buildings before moving into the newly established FM department. “This is a very extensive and complex task—impossible to manage without a building management system.” The previously used solution lacked flexibility. Since changes on the site are frequent, files and visualizations must be updated regularly. Schlüter-Systems KG therefore required a solution with a graphical interface that was easy to configure and maintain.

Making Itself Redundant: rising systems as Implementation Partner

It quickly became clear that WinGuard was the only system on the market capable of meeting all of Schlüter-Systems KG’s requirements. The platform makes it possible to consolidate multiple solutions within a single system. However, finding the right implementation partner proved to be challenging:

While technology corporations and many large providers offer WinGuard, they often tend to retain long-term control over the system. Rising systems, however, follows a different philosophy. “The more the end customer is able to do themselves, the better the collaboration,” says rising systems consultant Michael Rupietta, who implemented the building management system at Schlüter-Systems KG. This resonates strongly with Markus Schulz: “Since we are constantly evolving, we work with the system on an ongoing basis and are very familiar with it.”

WinGuard was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, and training for Markus Schulz and his colleagues was conducted remotely—without any issues. As Germany’s only WinGuard Custom Development Partner, rising systems developed the required interfaces cost-effectively. All requirements were implemented largely within the standard system, with the main challenge lying in workflow scripting. Interfaces were integrated for various fire alarm systems, MODbus, SMS, telephony, cameras, and additional devices and software.

“We wanted to integrate everything possible into WinGuard,” says Markus Schulz. “The collaboration was very straightforward and extremely pleasant. The consultants always responded very quickly.”

Complete Building Visibility – Managed In-House

To ensure intuitive navigation across all buildings and levels, Schlüter-Systems KG integrated floor plans, photos, and all available data into the system. “We set up the system from the ground up so that we can manage everything independently.” Because the application is also installed on tablets and smartphones, the FM Technical Team can access all data remotely and address technical issues efficiently. “We’re not a hospital. This isn’t about life and death. But the faster you’re informed, the more discreetly an issue can usually be resolved. Ideally, the ‘customer’ never even notices.”

In the event of a fire alarm, the workforce follows a defined phone chain. Starting with the plant manager, a group of responsible persons is contacted. Around 20 people are notified via SMS and email to ensure broad coverage. “The more trained and supporting people involved, the better,” explains Markus Schulz. Together with the fire department, Schlüter-Systems KG developed a meticulous fire protection concept. The company has repeatedly been praised for its well-prepared fire brigade route maps, including a hazardous materials register, clear route overviews, and an easily accessible firefighter information center—making orientation easy even for external emergency responders.

High Comfort for Admins and Users – Maintenance Without Disruption

The three-person technical team maintains the system independently and ensures it remains simple and clearly structured for users. Navigation via floor plans is intuitive, allowing users to click through different building levels. CAD drawings, photos, and Google Maps views are integrated where needed, with WinGuard supporting various file formats. Regular fire alarm system updates require only a few clicks. During maintenance, workflows can be suppressed locally, and individual detectors can be deactivated. Markus Schulz: “The process with WinGuard is significantly better than with the previous system.”