Object-specific and individually tailored

© Dirk Wilhelmy

© Thomas Goos

© Jens Kirchner

© Patrick Weber

Construction projects are complex endeavors that involve numerous individual decisions regarding design and functionalities, each specific to the trades involved. Aspects such as sustainability and environmental protection, as well as targeted building certifications, lead to requirements profiles during procurement that should be described as precisely as possible in the tender documents. For architects and planners, creating the specifications can be very complex depending on the trade, involving not only specific standards but also requirement-compliant parameters and execution details, which is always time-consuming and demands detailed knowledge from the generalist. This also applies to factors beyond typical data sheets, such as lifecycle or maintenance costs. Here, companies whose products are suitable for the respective projects are also involved. They need to inform and advise – "service" is the key aspect. nora systems offers comprehensive and customized support to planners and decision-makers in construction projects, starting from planning through realization to the operational phase.

Procurement autonomy allows freedom in product selection

The public sector is obliged to create a competitive, product-neutral specification, but this by no means implies that there are no freedoms within their procurement autonomy to specify objectively meaningful properties. This also applies to services/products that are more cost-intensive but demonstrate their economic efficiency over the service life. Naturally, there are no such standardized procurement procedures or neutrality requirements for private sector buildings and contracts, which makes it easier to specify desired services/products explicitly by name.

Project coordinators provide individual advice to planners

To pursue an individualized consulting approach throughout the entire planning and construction phase and beyond, nora systems has a team specialized in project coordination. The eleven employees, who work closely with the field service and customer service, advise decision-makers of construction projects in a highly personalized manner. Collaboration begins well before the execution of a construction project. The project coordinators discuss with the planners about the nature of the substrate, inquire about specific requirements of end-users, and clarify whether the flooring should be installed on underfloor heating and what types of skirting boards are desired. Other aspects, such as whether the building will be certified later, are also important. For example, when selecting flooring for a laboratory, the project coordinators ask what type of laboratory it is – a chemistry lab, a school lab, or a cleanroom – what chemicals are used there, the dynamic load from equipment like column chromatographs, etc. In process environments like the automotive industry, it must be ensured that no silicone-containing cleaning agents are used later. Nora specialists keep this in mind as well. An additional benefit: the questions from the project coordinators raise awareness among planners, enabling them to identify potential critical issues early on that could cause problems later in the project.

Application technology checks conditions on-site

Expert advice is essential not only for new buildings but especially for conversions and renovations. Here, planners rely on the expertise of manufacturers. Most construction projects are under significant time and cost pressure. For example, whether the screed can remain in place during a renovation is a crucial question. In such cases, nora application technicians assess the conditions on-site beforehand. They take samples of the screed or, if applicable, the old flooring and check for hollow spots or other irregularities. Based on this, they provide an individual recommendation for the floor structure and installation. Naturally, this comprehensive service is also available to installers for larger projects. For projects where the self-adhesive quick-lay system nora nTx is used, it is even mandatory, as checking the substrate condition is an integral part of the system, providing comprehensive safety for planners, builders, and users.

Customized tender texts: legally compliant and product-neutral

Subsequently, an individual tender text based on the building recommendation is created. The project coordination team uses the Orca database software for this purpose. Under the relevant menu item, they can access relevant text modules developed by nora product marketing for preliminary remarks, floor structures, and desired floor coverings. These base information, which are then tailored to each project, are highly detailed. From these modules, the tender texts are generated and made available in common file formats. The advantage is that the planner does not have to gather information from various sources. Importantly, the tender texts are legally compliant, always up-to-date, and specifically kept product-neutral for public procurement. This also makes "change management" more difficult.

Support throughout all project phases

During execution, especially in larger projects, unexpected problems often arise. Without support, this can quickly lead to delays and additional costs. In such cases, expert knowledge is required. At nora systems, planners receive expertise directly from the source and, if desired, on-site. Whether technical consultants, market segment managers, or application technicians: nora assembles the appropriate team of specialists. Even after project completion, the nora service does not end: years later, planners and users can still rely on the support of the Weinheim rubber specialists, for example, regarding cleaning issues or maintenance questions.