UCC Coffee and Datalizard have been working together for over 20 years. Over time, this has grown into a partnership built on trust and deep expertise. The datalizard platform acts as the connecting layer between different applications and data sources.
How it started
Since the early 2000s, UCC Coffee has relied on the datalizard platform. It laid the foundation for key processes. Coffee recipes are managed in a reliable and secure way, purchase costs for finished products are calculated, and roasting is supported with post-calculation. This step matters. Coffee beans lose between 12 and 18 percent of their weight during roasting. That directly affects the price per kilogram and always needs to be calculated based on the raw coffee price. Standard ERP systems cannot handle this logic on their own. With the datalizard platform and the application built on top of it, this gap was closed. Pricing remains transparent at all times.
TheCoffee Manager replacces Access and Excel
In 2024, the next step followed. The legacy Access database, developed in-house and used for many years, and the parallel Excel files were replaced by the Coffee Manager. What used to be maintained separately now runs in one place on the datalizard platform. The Coffee Manager tracks the full movement of raw coffee. From purchasing to shipping, through external storage, into the internal warehouse in Zollikofen and finally into the roasting process. Mandatory stock levels and production coverage are visible at any time.
Traceability and reporting
With the Coffee Manager running on the datalizard platform, the entire supply chain is covered. From the origin contract to storage and all the way to the finished product on the shelf. Procurement and controlling have moved away from manual work to an integrated setup. Production planning is system-supported. The platform connects ERP, production control and the Coffee Manager, and provides the data for downstream reporting. Controlling reports delivered through datalizard and the financial and sales reporting built on Power BI are based on a consistent and harmonised data foundation.
A key driver is the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Companies that supply coffee and other commodities such as cattle, soy, palm oil, wood, cocoa or natural rubber to the EU must prove that their products do not originate from deforested or degraded land. Every shipment must be fully documented, from the field to storage and final packaging. Proof is also required that no human rights violations, such as the forced displacement of indigenous communities, have taken place.
With the datalizard platform, UCC Coffee meets these requirements. Every bean, whether whole or ground, can be traced back from the final product to its origin. Data is captured automatically and is available for audits at any time. This creates regulatory certainty without adding manual workload.
«With Datalizard, we were able to close gaps in our existing ERP landscape and keep up with the growing demands of the business. Even complex European regulations were implemented efficiently and on time, which has put us in a leading position within the group. I particularly value the straightforward, solution-oriented way of working with Datalizard. A partner we are always happy to work with again.»
A collaboration that works
For Enrico Buchs, Head of IT at UCC Coffee, the close collaboration with Datalizard is a key success factor. He values the direct exchange with a sparring partner who understands data and processes and has taken the time to understand the coffee business in depth. Over the years, this has led to a shared understanding of processes and dependencies that goes beyond system integration. It makes collaboration straightforward and efficient and gives UCC Coffee confidence that even complex requirements are understood quickly and implemented in a pragmatic way.
Highlights
- End-to-end traceability from raw coffee contract to finished product on the shelf, fully compliant with EUDR including proof of forest protection and human rights
- Elimination of duplicate data entry through automation and integration of previously manual processes
- Improved data quality across the entire process chain, from procurement to sales
- Consistent data foundation for financial and sales reporting in Power BI
- Accurate and transparent cost calculation including roasting losses
- System-supported monitoring of inventory levels and production coverage
- Reduced workload for employees and noticeable improvement in day-to-day work
About UCC Coffee Switzerland
UCC Coffee Switzerland produces and distributes a wide range of coffee brands such as Merkur, Giger, Rosca, Sima and Raygil. Beans are roasted and packaged regionally in facilities located in Bern, Lucerne, Graubünden and Vaud. The sourcing team in Geneva carefully selects beans from growing regions around the world, with a focus on ethical farming practices and traceability. Some of the brands have a history spanning more than a century. They combine Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology and stand for quality, variety and strong regional roots.


