NetDirect and AutoCont - B2B solution for HAWLE ARMATURY integrated with MS Dynamics NAV
HAWLE ARMATURY spol. s r.o. is one of the most significant supplier of plumbing fittings in the Czech Republic. The company focuses in supplying water and gass piping and plumbing systems of the highest technology and advanced manufacturing. The company is a part of HAWLE group of companies, independently operating in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia.
Former situation
During the existence of HAWLE, three more or less independent applications were created:
- Web presentation
- B2B online shop
- iOffice - client-server application allowing stock manipulation
The first application was a website performing as the company web presentation.
The second application was an e-shop designed for B2B partners.
The third application was a product of a client-server type called iOffice, that was allowing the partners to work with stocks.
It was obvious, over time, that maintaining and developing of three independent systems is very demanding in regards to time and finances. It appeared very difficult to maintain the systems up to date.
The aim of the new system was to create a unified environment, that could "merge" current applications into one. At the same time, the focus was on finding an up-to-date solution that would adequately and fully automatically communicate with Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) in both directions. The reason for creating a new integrated system arose from the necessity of an immediate product update on the e-shop during any changes in Navision system, on-line reflection of stock reserves, bigger business flexibility (on-line order registration into the system, etc.) and offering personalized services to HAWLE business partners. The focus was also on the simplicity of services, fully automatic operation, maximum limitation of mistakes incurred due to a human factor and lowering of the operational expenses related to the planned application.
Among the requirements in relation to the new solution was a high level of flexibility. Creating the new solution was necessary for maintaining a fresh content (articles, products, etc.) in a mass extend and, at the same time, adhere to the principles of corporate identity. High demands were also put on user-friendliness with regards to ergonomics and easy navigation within the actual web application. The planned presentation ought to reflect the company multinationalism and its significant position on the market with several key, highly specialized sectors.
The solution: ShopCentrik integrated with Microsoft Dynamics NAV
E-commerce system ShopCentrik from NetDirect was selected to fulfill the future needs of customers and business partners. The important decision factors for choosing ShopCentrik e-shop were references, the supplier's experience with implementation of similarly elaborate B2B systems, proven ability of robust integration of e-commerce solution and ERP system Microsoft Dynamics NAV, the personnel background of the supplier and generally the experience with complex coverage of e-business requirements.
NetDirect undertook this task together with a partner company AutoCont, a supplier and administrator of Navision system for HAWLE. The system realization began at the end of 2007 and was completed in spring 2008.
Hawle.cz homepage
Advantages of the new solution
The new solution is built on ShopCentrik system providing two-way integration with Navision. The client's requirement were covered with highly complex application merging functionalities that were formerly divided into several applications. The new system integration was completed by two cooperating companies AutoCont and NetDirect.
The web presentation was launched as planned, merging B2B e-shop and application allowing extended stock manipulations into one common and documented solution.
The virtual company presentation provides an easy navigation, attractive and well structured source of information in a clear and user-friendly design. The customers are able to view the rich company history and its evolution.
Thanks to the clear webpages structure it is very easy to obtain details on the production program, products and contacts despite the vast amount of information included in the presentation.
The elaborate statistics integrated in the ShopCentrik system serves as an important feed-back tool allowing the marketing department to promptly react to customers' requirements and behavior.
ShopCentrik on-line statistics preview
The operational expenses related to content updates were lowered in a significant way mainly thanks to the ERP Navision system integration.
The business part features - stock organization, consignment stock and logistics
HAWLE manages a central storehouse. The company allows its business partners to open a virtual consignment stock - a location. Consignment stocks are called "locations" within the e-shop. The number of locations in the system is unlimited. Each location can then be divided into unlimited number of separate compartments. A compartment could be a designated part of the customer physical stock or a stock in any geographical location. Each of these partners manages one location, which could be divided into unlimited number of compartments (physical stocks in different towns).
System of logistic linkages between the central stock, locations and compartments
The application differentiates between several basic levels of user groups and each group has the right for particular operations:
- Unregistered users - they can view the product catalogue, but without the prices and the possibility of a purchase. They can however register and obtain a login onto the system.
- Registered users with a valid login - they can view, unlike the unregistered users, a range of information and details and can also view the recommended final product prices, but are not able to shop.
- Registered business partners - they are divided into two main groups according to the Navision attributes and allowed the two following operations. One customer login allows either the operations in the group 1 or 2 below. The system does not allow to undertake both types of operations simultaneously. If the customer is to have an access to both types of operations, he or she has to have two separate system logins.
- Shopping from HAWLE central stock
- Individual prices reflecting the pricing in Navision
- On-line stock accessibility of the central store
- On-line overview of order statuses
- On-line overview of invoices
- The access to operations related to customer's consignment stock
- The stock accessibility of own location as well as each compartment including the statuses, all backdated
- Stocktaking records
- Ordering from the central stock and identification of the targeted compartment of own location
- Creation of release notes, receipts, transfer notes between lacations, compartments, etc.
- Selling from consignment stocks to the end users allowing them to pay cash or buy on invoice
- Export of different data into XML
- Shopping from HAWLE central stock
Preview of B2B section of the e-commerce solution. The red square on the top shows the selection of a logged customer.
HAWLE customers have acquired a powerful tool with useful and well-arranged functionalities that makes the routine operations easier, maintains complete and clear transactions overview even with a high volume of receipts and allows the data import into the economic systems. HAWLE acquired a robust business and logistics solution, which strengthened the customers' loyalty and the company's position on the market.
