Integration with two ERPs allows users to dynamically switch between portal localizations
Customers in the partner zone can track and manage orders, invoices, commitments, or request a visit from a service technician. After logging in, the e-commerce module (EBIZ) with 150,000 items in each country is also available. Together with the solution design, we tested the intuitive operation of the portal in a prototype and subsequently developed the graphical appearance of the entire system.
These steps significantly influence whether corporate and end customers find the partner zone easy to work with. From a technological perspective, we connected the portal with both utilized ERPs. An internal user can dynamically switch between localizations regardless of the system used, which is either SAP or Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
Good results have opened doors for long-term collaboration
As part of the entire project, we successfully launched the portal and several of its local versions for corporate clients. The plan includes expanding the websites to 28 European countries, covering all brands. This ultimately means delivering more than 80 websites for all European branches, which will customize them to their business and local conditions. As of the end of 2020, there are 30 launched web solutions, and the plan for 2024 includes launching all 80.
At the same time, it remains a single application that can be developed more efficiently. We deliver outputs continuously and frequently, ensuring possibilities for further expansion and sustainability of the entire solution. Examples of portal development and work on new projects include additional implementations for Konica Minolta:
- Accessibility and modifications of the e-commerce portal EBIZ for the French government, the largest client of Konica Minolta
- Portal Guideline – a mandatory guide for designing new portals
- Unified access to all Konica Minolta portals in Europe
- Ticketing tool for the European logistics division
We expanded the portal according to the requirements of the French government
In 2018, Konica Minolta won a tender to supply printers for several French ministries. A necessary condition for participation in the tender was the ability to order printers online through the EBIZ customer portal. Therefore, we incorporated new functionality into the ongoing project, which was approved in April 2019 as an important condition of the contract by the French Ministry of Finance.
In 2019, Konica Minolta launched the portal for individual ministries and expects to deliver machines worth 56 million euros (approximately 1.5 billion CZK) to the French government through the EBIZ portal during the execution of the contract. Thanks for this success came not only from management in France but also from the European Vice President of Konica Minolta.
We created a visual manual and a unified approach for the client's customer portals
In spring 2019, we published the first version of the Portal Guideline, a binding guide on how to design portals for customers. This is a standalone website and source code that simplifies the work of individual development teams and ensures that Konica Minolta presents a unified front to customers. The overall strategy of this project is to unify the portals to the extent that they appear as one large entity.
At the same time, we participated in a project aimed at ensuring centralized user management for all portals and enabling users to seamlessly navigate between portals through Single Sign On (SSO) without repeated logins. We designed and delivered the design, user management environment, and front-end part, which we connected with the Forgerock platform, a global leader in identity management.
Ticketing tool for the logistics division facilitates incident resolution at the European level
Konica Minolta has several transshipment points in Europe, 28 branches, a number of external warehouses, and collaborates with many carriers. All these entities needed to be connected through a single system that would allow them to communicate regarding incidents on the logistics side. Therefore, we created a ticketing tool where users manage daily and weekly agendas, tracking, and overviews of the status of individual events.
The system serves for easier and faster recording, management, prioritization, and resolution of incidents affecting Konica Minolta products on their journey from their home Japan to Europe.
The functioning of the collaboration with the client is also evidenced by the numbers
At PUXdesign, we allocated a dedicated group of programmers for collaboration with the client, who work in an agile manner solely on this project for the long term. We value the longevity of the collaboration as well as the trust and satisfaction of the client, which is demonstrated by the assignment of more and more work to us. Between 2015 and 2020, we delivered solutions worth 75 million CZK.
