HACH Werbeartikel - B2B Magento online shop

B2B customers also expect binding prices. As a print service provider with a very diverse product catalogue ranging from ballpoint pens to umbrellas, HACH requires an exceptionally modular price calculation. The printing costs change depending on the type of print, number of colours and purchase quantities. No shop system can map this on its own.

HACH's established and highly customised merchandise management system/ERP must be seamlessly connected to the online shop. All product data, availability, orders, customer data and order status must be exchanged continuously and promptly between the two systems.

The online shop must be continuously developed and run smoothly at all times. Even with frequent changes to the shop system, the risk of errors should be minimised.

The transformation from a traditional catalogue mail order company to an online retailer is very challenging, both technically and for all employees and managers.

Magento 2 has proven itself as a broad foundation for the diverse and demanding technical requirements. In addition to the very extensive functions, Magento also offers a powerful framework for the customised development of features. For example, the complex pricing for the print price could be implemented using a separate price calculation system within Magento.

The highly customised ERP was connected to the HACH online shop via a connector developed in-house. Data from the ERP is imported and then converted and enriched. Numerous functions of a PIM (Product Information Management) system are thus taken over. Order and customer data is transferred to the ERP and checked for duplicates. The processing of printing and despatch is transmitted to the shop via status changes from the ERP.

The HACH online shop is continuously developed in an agile process. To avoid errors on the live system, numerous tests of the code and shop functionality have been created and run automatically during deployment. This ensures exceptionally high code quality and allows both HACH and us at Kombinat to work with peace of mind. As a test is added with every new feature, the test suite always remains up-to-date in this so-called “test-driven development”. This means that both customers can order without any problems and HACH employees can work reliably in the system.

Switching from a traditional catalogue supplier to an online mail order company is not easy for a long-established medium-sized company. It requires the willingness of the management and the full acceptance of all employees. This was built up in a continuous process in which knowledge was imparted and process optimisations were developed with HACH employees. The expertise in user experience design, which puts the customer - and in this case the employee - at the centre, helped here.

Magento provides HACH with a shop system that has proven itself time and time again over the years. It is stable, reliable, highly customisable and scalable.

The ERP is the central software in a retail company. It was therefore important that product data is maintained centrally there and always remains up-to-date in the online shop sales channel. Nevertheless, there was a lot of important product data that needed to be added or adapted. This could be done automatically using the connector, saving shop managers a lot of time.

Automated tests detect errors at an early stage before they can cause any damage. This enables customers to make a smooth purchase in the shop and relieves the burden on HACH support staff.

HACH has been able to develop its business and prospects extremely positively with these measures. The company has a clear agenda in which new centralised systems are being integrated to improve work processes and increase sales. The new competences in digital sales together with decades of experience as an advertising print manufacturer are a perfect match, which is also well received by customers. A well-rehearsed team from HACH and Kombinat is working continuously and focussed on further development. The joint experience and accumulated know-how is a great advantage in recognising opportunities and exploiting synergies.