The Challenge
The company managed its product catalog through static PDF documents and a basic website that required developer intervention for every update. Product information was frequently outdated, and there was no connection to the ERP system for stock availability or pricing.
The Solution
Avantit built a custom Umbraco-powered product catalog with advanced search and filtering capabilities. The solution integrates with the company SAP ERP via a custom .NET middleware layer, providing real-time stock levels and market-specific pricing. Content editors manage product descriptions, images, and specifications through an intuitive Umbraco backoffice with custom property editors.
Client Overview
A Portuguese industrial manufacturing company specializing in construction materials and industrial components, serving B2B clients across the Iberian Peninsula. The company manages a portfolio of over 10,000 SKUs across multiple product families.
Business Challenge
The company’s digital presence was severely limited:
- Product catalog was maintained as downloadable PDF files, updated quarterly
- Website changes required developer involvement, creating bottlenecks
- No real-time connection to SAP for stock availability or pricing
- Sales team relied on phone calls to check product availability
- Competitors were offering superior online product discovery experiences
Solution Overview
Avantit implemented a comprehensive digital product experience built on Umbraco CMS:
- Product Information Management: Custom document types in Umbraco for structured product data including specifications, certifications, and technical documents.
- Advanced Search & Filtering: Examine-based search (Lucene) with faceted filtering by category, material, dimensions, and application area.
- SAP Integration: Custom .NET middleware service synchronizing product data, stock levels, and regional pricing from SAP every 15 minutes, with on-demand sync capabilities.
- Custom Property Editors: Tailored Umbraco backoffice experience allowing the marketing team to manage rich product content without technical knowledge.
- Quote Request System: Integrated inquiry forms with product pre-selection, routed to the appropriate regional sales team via automated workflows.
Business Benefits
The digital catalog transformed the company’s online presence and sales process. The 70% reduction in catalog update time freed the marketing team from manual PDF production. Real-time stock and pricing information reduced sales inquiry response times and eliminated the frustration of quoting on unavailable products. The 45% increase in online product inquiries demonstrated that B2B buyers increasingly prefer self-service digital channels, with the new platform capturing demand that previously went to competitors with better online experiences.
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