B2B online shop with dealer login for ABUS Security Center

Overview

The project objective was the implementation of a new website as well as the construction of a B2B shop with extensive functions employing the business logic of Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP. The new solution was intended to completely replace the company's existing website and dealer area. The shop needed to provide a variety of information even without the dealer login. The ordering function and other extra services would require the existence of a dealer account, however.

The solution in detail

Until a dedicated Product Information System (PIM) could be introduced to manage product data, the web shop system should temporarily assume all responsibility for that task. As soon as the company introduces a PIM, the project will expand to include a corresponding stage handling the necessary switchover, moving catalogue data from the new system to the online shop.

The website and the online shop would be implemented for five countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark) as well as in an international version.

silver.solutions implemented the project on the basis of the Ibexa online shop system. The B2B-Connector handles the connection to the ERP system.  The integrated ECMS serves as a product information system for the ABUS Security-Center, i.e. all products and goods groups are managed directly in the shop's backend. After an initial import of the master data to start the shop, the system now handles all product descriptions and images supplemented with downloads, technical data, product highlights, certificates and similar elements for more than 2000 products.  The Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP system supplies information relevant to the ordering process, including country-specific pricing, potential block indicators, various statuses, parts list data and information on sets and new items. Numerous customisations and special requirements were implemented for the online shop. Product-related customisations: 

• Country-specific assignment of products depending on the countries in which they should be displayed or sold
• Various country-based list prices
• Display of compatible products and accessories for a product
•  Display of best sellers
• Dynamic creation of data sheets for a product
• Sales of intangible products, e.g. partner status and warrantee extensions

Import and export functions:

•  Import of price lists for each customer group
• Conversion of the shopping cart for a given offer into Excel
• Creation of price lists in Excel
• Creation of ZIP files for data sheets and images

Customer-specific functions:

• Display of various promotions for specific customer groups, including related rebates
• Display of customer group-specific news
• Customer centre
• Customer profile questionnaire during initial registration

Custom shop functions:

• General info boxes and info boxes for specific product groups
• Software and image search in the online catalogue
• Save function for shopping cart for registered users
• Express ordering
• Order history
• Dealer search
• Sale of second-quality merchandise

The result

 Within 10 months an extensive, individual eCommerce solution had been developed and optimally integrated into the company's workflow. Dealers can now work with a state-of-the-art online shop that offers numerous extra functions. 

 

Why Ibexa?

 

• Ibexa CMS with eCommerce solution combines shop and ECMS into one interface.
• Open interfaces allow for individualised adjustments and optimal integration of the system into the customer's workflow.
• High multi-language requirements through the customer's international orientation
• User-friendly interface for editors
• Strict separation of functionality and layout to allow for simple implementation of microsites and country-specific extensions