OMNICHANNEL COMMERCE IN PAINT WHOLESALE
As the partner of 14 paint wholesalers at over 170 locations in Germany, CMS Dienstleistungs-GmbH has developed a B2B platform with us, which combines brick-and-mortar with online business using the greatest possible number of functionalities and services. At the focus of the development was a system landscape based on the SAP Commerce Cloud, which ensured centralised networking for all participants. Today, 14 paint wholesalers work on the system with the same product, supplier and customer base.
CLIENT
CMS Dienstleistungs-GmbH
PROJECT DURATION
Ongoing, since 07/2018
EXPERTISE
- Consulting
- Conception
- Design
- Programming
TECHNOLOGIES
- SAP Commerce Cloud
- FIS/mpm
- SAP PI/PO
- JAVA
- HTML / CSS
- Google Analytics
The CMS Group is comprised of CMS Dienstleistungs-GmbH and a network of 14 paint wholesalers. As part of DAW, CMS Dienstleistungs-GmbH serves its wholesale businesses, which are currently spread across 170 locations (as of: September 2019), and assists this pan-German network of wholesalers with extensive services and support.
At the main office of CMS Dienstleistungs-GmbH in Ober-Ramstadt, some 100 employees work in the departments Purchasing, Sales, Product Management, Logistics/Materials Management, Marketing, IT, Finance and Accounting, Controlling and HR. Across Germany, the CMS Group currently employs more than 2,000 personnel. Further information can be found at www.cms-gruppe.de
THE TASK
REAL B2B SERVICE FOR PAINT WHOLESALE
One of the main focuses of the task lay on the optimal connection of the existing SAP ERP systems with an mit einer Omnichannel-Plattform based on SAP Commerce, which would then provide real added value to the wholesalers and their customers.
This related to both the comprehensive core data management and the development of functionalities and services, as well the provision of order, invoicing and other sales processes in a customer-focused, professional and reliable manner. A demanding task, which Medienwerft managed in close cooperation with the client and FIS Informationssysteme und Consulting GmbH.
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OUR SOLUTION
ONE PLATFORM FOR ALL PARTNERS
Alongside the platform – from the product catalogue, availability of materials, assumption and expansions of proven warehouse logistics functionalities, to the presentation of individual terms of payment and the processing of orders and payments – all previously implemented processes were put to the test.
With regard to the utility of the offering, the task here was to take into consideration the challenges faced by all partners and to create a solution which guaranteed a central network for all participants. Additional value-added services, such as virtual mixing of thousands of paint colours or support with accounting tasks for affiliated craft businesses complete the platform’s offering.
THE CHALLENGE
OPTIMAL DATA MANAGEMENT PRECISELY IN LINE WITH REQUIREMENTS
Whether shopping in Berlin with delivery to a building site in Munich, whether your terms of payment and invoicing are with one or more partners, or you are using the automated best-price finder – the CMS platform provides information precisely in line with your requirements. The focal point here is the seamless integration of the SAP-based merchandise management system.
It is important that the prices for the products retrieved by the respective specialist wholesalers are made available in real time. Since the pricing information can vary depending on the customer, the integration of an intelligent interface management system was extremely important here.
IMPORTANT CRITERION: SAVING TIME
Service design played an important role in the development of the platform. One crucial goal was to save time, both for the customer and internally while processing orders. An example which clearly illustrates this point is the precise paint mixing using the service “Paint selection”.
First the customer selects and orders their own particular paint colour. In the background, not only does the application access the quantity and price classifications in the ERP system, but it also feeds various information on the actual colour mixing process to the colour mixing systems. On the customer side, this intuitive user guidance is impressive, while on the process side, steps for reviewing and issuing the paint recipe are no longer necessary. Win-win.
SUPPORTING THE CLIENT
In addition to objectives such as consolidating the client’s competitive position and expanding services, the focus was also on supporting the client in their day-to-day business. In this way, craft businesses are able to use the system’s fully digitalised document management process for their accounting tasks.
All invoices, delivery notes and other order-related documents are available round the clock. An interface with the software WinWorker, with which the craft businesses can organise all disciplines within their offices and building sites, enables the seamless management and processing of orders and projects from system to system.
CONCLUSION
A NEW, SIMPLER PERSPECTIVE ON B2B
With the introduction of its omnichannel commerce platform for paint wholesale, CMS Dienstleistungs-GmbH has developed a fresh and intelligent perspective on B2B. It isn’t just about offering products and services, what’s also crucial is looking at the small details and tailoring your offer to the needs of your target groups.
While processes are running all the way to the heart of the ERP system in the background, B2B users expect the platform to provide them with useful, sensible services that make their work easier. In the course of the project, core data management was optimised using software tools, such as FIS|mpm. By choosing the SAP Commerce suite with its accompanying development options, the platform is now also well-prepared for challenges posed by new markets in the future.
CLIENT SUMMARY
We weren’t looking to build a flexible shop, but rather a B2B platform which is adapted to the needs of our partners and is as scalable as possible.
CONTACT
„When you’re looking for new perspectives on the development of your process or transaction-oriented online platforms, my team and I will be happy to advise you. I look forward to getting to know you.“
Managing Director
HENDRIK VAN LAATEN
Tel: +49 40 / 31 77 99-0
Email: info@medienwerft.de