Before all else, the teams initiated several intensive workshops to evaluate the actual status of the project and carry out requirements analysis. The fact, that only a few parts have identification numbers, quickly proved that a simple search wouldn’t offer a proper solution. As follows, the partnering companies decided to develop a digital adaptation of the telephonic retrieval method.
Their profound investigation ended in the dual spare parts finder. On one hand, the system leveraged a full-text search that could quickly find the necessary parts according to their identification numbers. And, on the other hand, came into play a cascaded, modular variable query logic, which enables online identification of almost all types of possible parts.
To start with, the 711media team drafted a brief outline of the solution, which would make the process of parts finding easy, logical and efficient for customers. The challenge was to develop very clear queries, so the customers could take as many steps online as possible. Also, the system should be capable to process and send to Roto incomplete queries, as they would also come in handy for considerable shortening of the telephone conversations. The team put maximum emphasis on the creation of a clear and intuitive user interface, which would be equally effective on PC and a smartphone (for example, customers could use it on the construction site, or anywhere out of their office).
At the early stage of the project, 711media experts started with building the interactive clickable dummy to thoroughly test the concept before the development, validate their ideas, and obtain a finished concept. Both teams of 711 media and Roto Frank AG were involved in this process and carried out extensive user tests to mitigate all possible risks.
The application was developed individually with PHP on Typo3 basis. It features a clear configuration in the backend, which enables the easy creation of all query processes and sequences. The main challenge was to ensure, that the Roto users and customers do not feel the enormous complexity of the application. As a result, the parts search process was properly implemented, as well as complemented with the product details pages and an interface for the internal SAP Ordering process. This serves as a guarantee of the superior efficiency, great convenience of usage, and lightweight app navigation.
During several months before the actual launch, the application has been tested on all possible devices and browsers based on testing plans. What is more, the system was specially designed to complete internationalization, which is planned for 2020.
