Reducing Complexity

Reto, what is the concept behind luxKIT, and what inspired the idea?

Reto Bonderer: At smarterion, we have been working with LED luminaires since the company was founded in 2009. Along the way, we kept encountering the same challenge: what looks simple at first glance quickly becomes complex in practice. Where should the cable be connected? Which LED module is needed? How can luminaires be connected? How can shadows be avoided?

We wanted to reduce this complexity. Over the years, this led to the idea behind luxKIT: a modular system that makes it easy to assemble linear LED luminaires.The individual components are connected using a click system, without tools or soldering. This allows electricians to configure the luminaires directly on site to suit the specific application.

When did it become clear that product data would play a crucial role in this concept?

Reto Bonderer: We were actually aware of this even before luxKIT. That is why we had already introduced xmedia for our existing product business.

With a modular system like luxKIT, however, the importance of structured data becomes even more apparent. There are countless possible combinations. Without an intelligent system, the effort required to maintain all this information would eventually become enormous.

At the same time, we need to provide our data for a wide range of applications and channels: for electrical wholesalers, for example, in BMEcat format, for datasheets and installation instructions, or for lighting design and Relux.

If we were to manage all of this using different tools and separate data sources, the workload would eventually become unmanageable.

That is why it was clear to us: luxKIT also had to be managed centrally through xmedia.

The Importance of Structured Data 

How does the product data of a modular lighting system differ from that of a conventional luminaire?

Reto Bonderer: With a finished luminaire, it is relatively straightforward. I can say: this luminaire has a specific wattage, a specific luminous flux and a specific housing colour.

With luxKIT, however, the finished luminaire only takes shape during configuration. The electrician assembles it from different components.

This is exactly what we had to represent in our data structure. For example, we maintain an LED module as an individual component. Ultimately, however, the user is not just interested in the luminous flux of that module, but in the luminous flux of the complete luminaire, including the profile, LED module and diffuser.

The Finished Luminaire Takes Shape Through Configuration 

The Data Is Structured and Can Be Reused Across Different Output Channels. 

Philipp, how did you solve this challenge in xmedia?

Philipp Teichert: In the luxKIT classification, we initially model the individual components rather than the finished luminaire: profiles, LED modules, connectors, end caps, covers and other parts.

Technical information is maintained as close as possible to where it originates, at the individual component level. At the same time, we have defined rules that determine which components can be combined with one another.

For certain types of information, however, the individual component alone is not sufficient. A product image, for example, may show a specific combination of a profile and a cover. That is why we generate the possible combinations in the background. Information that depends on a particular combination can then be assigned to it.

The key point is that information still only needs to be maintained once, in the right place. When generating the output, xmedia automatically brings together all the required data.

What does this enable in practice?

Philipp Teichert: For example, data sheets, installation instructions, LDT files and BMEcat exports. The integration with Relux is also based on this data.

For a data sheet, the required information is automatically assembled from the various components and their relationships. This is precisely where the strength of the approach lies: The data is structured and can be reused across different output channels whenever needed.

From Planning and Ordering to Installation, After-Sales Service and Logistics 

But luxKIT is more than just a modular hardware system. What role does the configurator play?

Reto Bonderer: We wanted to rethink not only the hardware, but the entire process, from planning and ordering through installation to after-sales service and logistics.

That is why we developed an app. Users can create projects and rooms, import a floor plan or plan directly on a grid. They then select the desired profile, colour, cover and light colour, and position their luminaire directly in the room.

Based on this plan, the system automatically calculates which components are required. For example, users can see how many profiles, LED modules and end caps they need.

And can the plan be turned directly into an order?

Reto Bonderer: Exactly. The bill of materials can be exported or transferred directly to a connected electrical wholesaler. Users log in with their existing account and see their individual prices and terms.

For this to work, of course, all items must be properly listed in the wholesaler's system. This is where our structured product data comes into play once again: We supply our partners with product data using standards such as BMEcat and ETIM.

This creates a seamless process from configuration through to ordering.

What is smarterion's business objective with this approach?

Reto Bonderer: One of our key objectives was to create a product that we could scale internationally.

Our previous custom-made luminaires were difficult to export. Each luminaire was essentially unique. If, for example, a luminaire was three millimetres too long and had to be returned or replaced, things quickly became complicated.

With luxKIT, we now have standardised components. Logistics are simpler, the parts can be transported on pallets, and the same components can be used for different products.

This makes it much easier for us to expand our business into other markets.

How far have you progressed with international expansion?

We have already established a substantial business in Germany and secured several wholesale partners. The next step is to increase awareness of the system among users.

At the same time, we are expanding into additional countries. We already have partners in Austria and Luxembourg, and we are currently working on entering the Dutch market.

The concept is fundamentally designed to allow us to distribute luxKIT worldwide.

Standardised Components Make International Expansion Easier 

Expanding into New Markets & Further Developing the Modular Product System 

And what's next?

Reto Bonderer: On the one hand, we want to expand into additional markets, and on the other, we want to further develop our modular product system. Today, for example, we mainly work with external power supplies. In the future, we also want to support applications where power supplies are integrated into larger profiles.

At the same time, new regulatory requirements are emerging. The Digital Product Passport is a good example. For us, it would be important to meet these requirements using our existing data foundation rather than introducing another separate tool.

We also see further potential in the configurator. Some aspects of the configuration are still maintained manually. As the modular system becomes more complex, it will become increasingly valuable to provide this information automatically from xmedia as well.