The collaboration with Trivadis – Part of Accenture for the "e-commerce on endress.com" project began in the Endress+Hauser cafeteria. The end result is a comprehensive online store that allows orders to be placed conveniently even by using a smartphone.
In Short
CHALLENGE
SAP-based web store can no longer be adapted to current standards in terms of usability, efficiency, omni-channel and product content management.
SOLUTION
A new structure of the system as well as the use of new technologies enable the more comprehensive and user-friendly online store that can also be operated on mobile devices.
BENEFIT
Simplified ordering on the part of sales partners and customers as well as more efficient processing in downstream company processes.
Our solution
The Endress+Hauser Group, who is active in measurement and automation technology, became aware of Trivadis as a result of training courses: employees of the group's internal IT service provider Endress+Hauser InfoServe had attended courses at Trivadis in Mannheim. This resulted in a request for a 20-day technology consultancy on Google Web Toolkit (GWT). The goal of this consulting was to replace an in-house, outdated framework.
Lunch with consequences …
The positive experience gained during the technology consulting phase resulted in another project that Trivadis was asked to implement for Endress+Hauser. During this project period, a chance encounter had a momentous impact: over lunch, an Endress+Hauser project manager told a senior consultant from Trivadis about his current project and the challenges it posed. The Trivadis consultant was able to empathize with his interlocutor's situation because he had experience with this type of project and had already completed one aspect of it himself – setting up an online shopping cart. He estimated that it would take about two weeks to implement a simple shopping cart at Endress+Hauser.
The project manager at Endress+Hauser was thrilled and commissioned a colleague with a "make-or-buy analysis" of the project. In the course of time, however, further requirements emerged, and it soon became clear that it would not be enough to implement a simple shopping cart, but that an online store with extensive functions would have to be put in place. Those responsible at Endress+Hauser therefore decided not to start the project immediately, but instead commissioned a Trivadis team to first develop a feasibility study. Once it was successfully completed, the contract for the initial implementation of the new Endress+Hauser online store followed.
New store with integrated checkout process and usability on mobile devices
The customer's requirements for the web store were, on the one hand, the integration of a checkout process into existing application systems such as SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and various credit card acquiring systems. On the other hand, it should be possible to use the web store also on a mobile device. The Trivadis team carried out the initial implementation of the store which was integrated into the portal and linked to SAP and other internal applications. While retaining the connected interfaces, the user interface was redeveloped with a responsive design. This made the online store easy to use on mobile devices as well. In addition, interfaces had to be adapted and extended so that more efficient processing in SAP, the support of additional functions and authenticated access to third-party systems were possible.
Fastest possible processing of orders
The project team seamlessly integrated the online store into the customer's homepage. As a result, various functions, such as a configurator for individual product design or a specific spare parts search, are available directly in the online store. The direct connection to the enterprise resource planning system enables employees to process customer inquiries and orders as quickly as possible. This is facilitated by the connection from SAP via REST with OData and the implementation of the graphical user interface with the GWT. An XML format specified across the board also enables communication with other applications.
Our customers can now order products directly on endress.com with a greatly improved user experience – be it on their laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Efficient, modern and popular: worldwide rollout of the new online store
With the Trivadis solution, employees at Endress+Hauser can process customer orders more efficiently. The online store with the new features and a modern look has greater external effectiveness and also greater acceptance among customers. The responsive design also makes it possible to order conveniently using smartphones or other mobile devices. The entire ordering process could be simplified considerably. The project team delivered on time and on budget, and the successful implementation of the store led to a gradual global rollout after two years of development. The all-round success of the project led to follow-up commissions, which will continue in 2022. With regard to the online store project, Trivadis is still available to the customer as third-level support. What started with a lunch and a small idea became a 7-year project – and a great success.
About Endress+Hauser
Endress+Hauser is a leading global provider of measurement and automation technology for processes and the laboratory. Endress+Hauser devices, solutions and services are used in many industries. Customers gain valuable knowledge from their applications. This way, they can improve their products, work efficiently and at the same time protect people and the environment.
Technologies used
Java
GWT
HTML & CSS
IntelliJ
Git
Maven
Spring Framework
JPA
Liquibase
Apache Tomcat
DB2
Sonatype Nexus
Atlassian Bamboo
REST
OData
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