Dealer online shop with round-the-clock purchase option for MONACOR
Overview
In the project, an online shop was to be implemented that would integrate seamlessly with the ERP and the website created with Typo3. Data are imported into the shop from Navision as well as from other databases. The website catalog (and with it also the navigation structure) and the shop catalog are contentually identical. At the beginning the online shop is only available in German. For the future it is also possible to implement further languages.
The solution in detail
In addition to standard online shop functions (catalog, shopping basket, order process) the following functionalities have been implemented:
- Express order
- Integration with Typo3 based website www.monacor.de
- Integration with online catalog with page up/page down functionality (at www.monacor.de)
- Novelties
- Download area
- PDF generation out of product detail page
The B2B-Connector is used as an interface between the MONACOR B2B online shop and the ERP system. That makes it possible to display customer individual prices and stock information directly from Navision in real time in the shop. Detailed product descriptions, images etc. are imported from other databases.
Since the online shop has been built parallel to the Typo3 website both systems had to be connected. As long as a user browses the product catalog anonymously he stays on the website. As soon he logs in as a customer he directly gets into the online shop. The same goes for the browsable online catalogs MONACOR is offering on its website. If a user is logged in and he is browsing those catalogs, he is redirected to the shop via the product detail links. Due to a consistent design solution the customer can’t see any difference between website and online shop. Online shop catalog and website catalog are identical with the shop catalog displaying more detailed information (prices and stock availability) for the products. In the online shop some of the navigation points in the left menu (Company or Contact) lead the user back to the website.
Since the shop is meant for resellers ordering is only possible after login. For that customers have to register in the shop. Existing customers can activate their shop accounts by completing an online form. Identification is done using customer number, a MONACOR invoice number and email address. After positive matching of the entered data with the data stored in the ERP system the customer will receive a confirmation email and can now login to the shop with a self chosen user name and password. Using another form the customer can enter his contact details which are transferred to Navision directly. Navision saves the customer data as contact assigned to the company account.
New customers register on the website specifying company, address and VAT ID details. The new customer will then receive an email from MONACOR containing the request for a copy of the business license (business registration or trade register excerpt). After verifying the documents sent, MONACOR will assign a customer number to the new customer. Furthermore an online shop account is set up. Via a workflow the new customer will receive an email containing a confirmation link and his access details (user name, password).
In addition to the standard online shop functions (e.g. catalog, shopping basket and order process) the shop also offers a form for express orders and a download area. The product detail page offers the possibility of creating a product data sheet in PDF format, displays different product images and provides downloads of instruction manuals.
The implementation of project phase II is currently in progress. Functions for phase II are e.g. a customer center and document management.
