To wrap up, we conducted an internal interview to get firsthand insights into the collaboration and the challenges faced. Let's get started:
Anna: Hello Rolf, could you please introduce yourself and the company Voltus?
Rolf: Hello Anna, of course! I have been working as a Project Manager at ESYON GmbH for eight years. During this time, I have implemented numerous B2B and B2C e-commerce projects and integrated several PIM (Product Information Management) systems. One of my main responsibilities is with the company Voltus.
Voltus is an innovative provider of smart and energy-efficient solutions for electrical installations. The company offers a wide range of products and services aimed at making modern buildings smarter and more sustainable.
Anna: Could you explain the goals of the Voltus project and how they were achieved?
Rolf: Certainly. The main goal of the project was to replace the outdated online shop with a new, modern shop that is also mobile-friendly. It was important for us that Voltus customers have the ability to place orders conveniently via mobile devices. The focus was on a quick implementation of the new system. To achieve this, we deliberately avoided extensive graphic elements to prioritize rapid implementation.
Another important aspect was ensuring the existing functions in the areas of payment processing and inventory management, especially concerning major suppliers, as present in the old ePortal. Additionally, a search and filter function was implemented to enable users to quickly and efficiently search for products in the vast assortment.
Anna: What were the key challenges?
Rolf: The biggest challenge was mapping the specific customer processes. The implementation of the ePortal is only part of the whole, but Voltus customers have specific processes that need to be considered. Voltus has sensible tracking in the form of Google Analytics built-in to perform customer behavior analysis: How do customers use the site? Where do they drop off? These analyses had to continue functioning after the shop relaunch.
Another challenge was the smooth display of inventory levels, which are updated several times daily by wholesalers. It is particularly advantageous for an online retailer to always display current inventory levels.
Additionally, integrating with our ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics 365, was a significant challenge. It was crucial that this interface works seamlessly to ensure efficiency and accuracy in business processes.
Anna: Were there any highs and lows during the project?
Rolf: During the project implementation, there are always some highs and lows that you go through. I can't really remember any significant lows. But some of the biggest successes were the successful relaunch of the shop. It is always a very important step when everything goes live, and it feels really good when everything works smoothly.
Anna: Are you satisfied with the result?
Rolf: I am very satisfied with it. The system has been running stably and performantly for nearly 2.5 months now. In the first 2-3 weeks after the relaunch, there was still a hyper-care phase where some minor challenges arose that required follow-up work - that can happen. We were able to quickly find and implement solutions.
Now we are looking ahead, both in terms of design and processes and payment methods. We will make further optimizations in various areas in the future.
Anna: Do you think Voltus is satisfied with the current result?
Rolf: Yes!
Anna: What are the current future prospects for Voltus GmbH’s ePortal?
Rolf: We have planned to give the webshop a fresh look, making it look even more modern. We are also working on performance. The shop is already fast, but we aim to equip it with the leading speed in the industry. This is expected to increase customer satisfaction as well as higher sales and revenues for Voltus.
Anna: How crucial is smooth collaboration between project managers and clients for the success of e-commerce projects?
Rolf: What is always important in such projects is, of course, that there is one or more competent contacts on the client side. That was also the case here, and it greatly contributed to pushing the project forward quickly without many discussions. We consistently thought forward and looked little in the rearview mirror. That helps immensely and is definitely a core element. This created a good feeling that we are all pulling in the same direction and really working well together.
Anna: Thank you for your time and insights.