Company:
Baumeister Unternehmen für Inneneinrichtungen GmbH & Co. KG
Project Timeline:
Approx. 1.5 years from the initial consultation
Services:
Software development, design, and consulting
Summary:
The goal of the project was to help Baumeister optimize its business processes for coating and finishing services through an integrated digital solution for its business customers. The system was designed to streamline communication, provide greater visibility into available resources, and save time for both Baumeister and its customers. A digital configurator guides customers through the planning and submission of their orders while simplifying the entire order management process.
Challenge
The Challenge:
Following the acquisition of a sophisticated coating system for large-scale orders, Baumeister needed a more efficient way to manage its internal processes and resources while establishing faster and more effective communication with customers.
The lack of a suitable configurator affected not only project management but also customer communication and interaction. A time-saving solution was needed to reduce the complexity of order management, improve task coordination, and simplify communication between Baumeister and its customers.
Goals and Requirements:
Simple and Transparent Order Submission:
Develop a clear and easy-to-use configurator that allows business customers to manage coating and finishing orders. An integrated comment feature enables customers to provide additional information and helps ensure that all required resources, including coatings, colors, materials, and production capacity, are available for each order.
Faster Processes Through Streamlined Communication:
Develop a configurator that supports the creation, assignment, and tracking of tasks throughout the entire order process. Recurring order configurations can be saved as templates, reducing the amount of work required for future orders.
Flexible Configurator Management:
By creating a configurable configurator, the application provides a particularly flexible and user-friendly environment. Baumeister can adjust parameters whenever necessary, allowing the company to respond quickly to changing workflows, services, product offerings, or material availability.
Once these challenges and requirements had been identified, a comprehensive prototype was developed to optimize workflows at Baumeister while also addressing the needs of its customers.
Solution
Our Approach:
Addressing these requirements required careful planning and a structured development process. Over a period of approximately 1.5 years, an extensive process management application was developed for Baumeister.
Requirements Analysis, Planning, and Goal Definition:
The project began with a detailed analysis of Baumeister’s requirements and objectives. Through intensive discussions and coordination, the company’s specific needs were identified and translated into a customized solution. Based on these findings, a detailed project plan was created, including milestones, resource allocation, and a clear timeline to ensure a smooth development process.
Planning for Flexibility:
An extensive brainstorming phase focused on ensuring that the configurator could adapt flexibly to different customer requirements. This provided a foundation for extensive automation and customization. Particular attention was paid to creating an optimal experience for both employees and customers.
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Design and Functionality:
Usability was a key priority throughout development. The configurator was designed to be intuitive and easy to understand, helping customers complete the ordering process efficiently. - For internal order processing and coating workflows, the software includes comprehensive process management functionality. This includes managing order requests, coordinating resources, and optimizing internal workflows.
- Because the configurator itself can be adjusted, employees can quickly respond to changing requirements. This also gives Baumeister greater flexibility in its range of finishing services and allows the company to react efficiently to potential material shortages.
- Customer Communication:
Customers can use an integrated comment feature to add notes, special requirements, or additional information directly to their orders. - Reliable Order Management:
Baumeister employees have access to a clear overview of all orders. Status indicators make it easy to assess the progress of each order at a glance. Materials requiring identical finishing processes can be grouped together to reduce the number of necessary production steps, helping save both time and costs. - Order Confirmation and Scheduling:
Before confirming an order, employees can review available resources, plan production requirements, and then approve and process the order. This helps improve organization and ensures that daily operational requirements can be handled efficiently.
Results
Project Results:
Following implementation, the configurator was regularly evaluated to identify opportunities for improvement. User feedback was used to continuously refine the solution and ensure that it continued to meet Baumeister’s evolving requirements.
Benefits for the Client:
The configurator helps optimize internal workflows and processes for both Baumeister employees and its customers. Its flexible architecture makes it easier to respond to changing customer requirements, improves resource planning, and shortens response times when changes occur.
Automation and improved processes help reduce both time and costs. At the same time, the configurator provides a user-friendly interface, straightforward operation, and a clear overview of all relevant processes.
Overall, the solution increases operational efficiency, improves customer communication, and provides Baumeister with a flexible foundation for continued development and future innovation.
