Machine building company, Spühl AG, from Wittenbach, Switzerland, has merged its online replacement part ordering system, SEPOS, with its new Website based on the business Content Management Systems (CMS) contentXXL. The project was completed by IT service provider, Online Consulting AG, from Wil, Switzerland. Online Consulting implemented SEPOS in 2003. Because the application supporting SEPOS, Smartsite EPM and the CMS contentXXL are based on Microsoft .NET, consolidation was simple – especially because a direct interface between the two applications exists. The project was finished in just four weeks.
Online Consulting has been a contentXXL solutions partner since 2003. It was important for Spühl to have the same solutions partner install the CMS to ensure that it would integrate seamlessly into Spühl’s existing IT environment. Smartsite EPM is now sold as third-party-module from contentXXL.
Spühl AG is one of Switzerland’s leading machine building companies. The company develops and produces machines to manufacture barrel cores and large format printers. To provide perfect after sales service Spühl contracted Online Consulting AG in 2003 to develop an interface for the internal replacement parts catalogue and ordering system.Online Consulting implemented, SEPOS S(pühl) E(lectronic) P(arts) O(rdering) S(ystem), based on Smartsite EPM (Enterprise Product Management). The technological platform for the system is Microsoft .NET with a Microsoft SQL Server database.
Fig: The technological combination of the Website and Spare Parts System was essential for Spuehl AG.
During the website re-launch in the summer of 2007, Spühl wanted to use the same technology and solutions partner for the CMS that would be installed. SEPOS and the company’s internet presence should join together. Online Consulting AG decided to install the business Content Management System contentXXL because it is based on Microsoft .NET and fits into Spühl’s existing technological environment. Furthermore, Online Consulting, a contentXXL solutions partner for many years, is very experienced with the CMS.
“We put our trust in Online Consulting because they are an experienced solutions partner and are familiar with our established technology platform for the replacement part ordering system and our website. We want to maintain consistency in the overall system, profit from synergy and put trust into our IT partner,“ explained Paul Krämer, Leader of Informatics at Spühl. “Aside from combining the two .NET applications, it was important that Online Consulting followed 100% the design parameters of our communications agency. With contentXXL that was not a problem at all,“ continued Krämer.
Spühl’s new website is supported by the Content Relationship Management feature of contentXXL which provides quick and easy maintenance of the site. The feature establishes relationships between separate content objects (product, product descriptions, documents, contacts) and brings the isolated information together. Content that exists in different places is combined and logically connected; therefore, data has to be administered at only one location, although it appears on the Web in many locations.
The Internet presence was re-launched in just four weeks, due to, among other factors, the out-of-the-box components that are already included in the basic CMS contentXXL version.
About Spühl AG
Spühl AG St. Gallen, today part of the Leggett&Platt group from USA, is the world’s leading producer of wire processing machines that are used in the mattress and furniture industries. Spühl develops and produces also digital printing systems for large format applications. In addition to its machinery building know-how, Spühl AG is also highly regarded as an outsourcing partner for contract manufacturing.
Spühl is a machine company that export almost 100% of its products and therefore has established customer relationships in over 150 countries for decades. An efficient exponent network as well as sales and service points on all continents demonstrate customer proximity and mutual trust. http://www.spuehl.ch
About Online Consulting AG:
Founded in 1995, Online Consulting AG is an integrator that is specialised in implementing user orientated solutions for administration of information and product databases with Internet technology. 75 employees from the areas of consulting, software development, databases, design, network technology and project leading provide comprehensive and competent services from one source. The company has a hosting centre of its own to complete the full service offer. Besides challenging projects in product information management (PIM), ensuring central supply of all media (Internet, business to business and print), Online Consulting AG achieves content management projects (CMS), intranets as well as complex network solutions. With offices in Wil (headquarter, development), Zurich (computer centre) and Wroclaw, Poland (offshore development) high performance and cost effective solutions are ensured.