Modernization of IT tools

Hendi

As the tagline 'Tools for Chefs' already reveals, Hendi is the supplier of equipment, kitchenware, cutlery, serving and buffet items for the catering industry. From development and production to sales and distribution of a wide range of catering supplies and kitchen equipment. Hendi distributes its extensive range through dealers, wholesalers and catering webshops throughout Europe. Since its founding in 1934, Hendi has grown into an international company with branches in the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Greece, Italy and Hong Kong.

Modernisation

The rapidly growing Hendi was using a website without ordering options. A large part of the orders came in via mail, phone or fax and had to be processed manually. In addition, the used product information database did not have the desired functionality. These factors created a situation that strongly affected the sustainability and efficiency. Time for modernisation.

It was a relief to discover that there is a more efficient solution for our catalogue production process and the distribution of product data to an unlimited number of distribution channels. They did not disappoint: inriver PIM is incredibly complete. And should anything be missing, XSARUS can develop an extension.

Jeffry Wiesnekker, Marketing & Communication at Hendi

The first step

The first step in the modernisation process was the search for a replacement for the product information database. Several PIM (Product Information Management) systems were researched and compared. Inriver PIM was chosen. A cloud-based SAAS product with a clear interface, good support for multilingualism, optimal omnichannel capabilities and an integration option with InDesign for catalogue production. In short, a product that meets Hendi's most important requirements.

Inriver PIM implementation

Now that the choice for inriver had been made, Hendi searched for a suitable implementation partner. After several discussions, XSARUS turned out to be the best fit for Hendi's wishes: extensive experience, short lines of communication and a clear and bold plan.

After an implementation process of less than four months, the PIM solution was ready for use. Within those four months, the existing database was examined, a new data model was established, scripts were developed to import existing data into inriver PIM, and all available information was uploaded into inriver PIM. Approximately 3,000 SKUs in 1,700 products in 13 languages with +/- 10,000 images and documents.

Step two: The B2B e-commerce platform

After the product information could be managed in one central source, the next step in the modernization process was to overhaul the website. Until then, it had been focused on providing information and lacked ordering functionality. As a result, Hendi's sales department was mainly occupied with order entry rather than sales support. A key requirement for the new platform was: B2B shopping functionality. The wishlist included among others:

B2B capability
Cloud-based
Integration with inriver PIM
Integration with ERP
User-friendly CMS capabilities
Scalable
Good support for multilingualism
Short implementation time
Partner independent

Adobe Commerce B2B platform

Hendi chose Adobe Commerce with implementation partner XSARUS. The requirements that were set could all be fulfilled by Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce). In addition, Adobe Commerce's B2B module includes many functionalities that Hendi previously missed:

Quick Order: Customers have the ability to easily add orders to the shopping cart using a CSV file.
Customer-specific catalogues and prices: Specific catalogues and prices can be created for each customer. It is also easy for customers to compile order lists.
Management of business accounts: Customers manage their own business accounts. Within one business account, multiple personal accounts with specific roles and permissions can be set up.

Adobe Commerce B2B platform

Quick Order: Customers have the ability to easily add orders to the shopping cart using a CSV file.
Customer-specific catalogues and prices: Specific catalogues and prices can be created for each customer. It is also easy for customers to compile order lists.
Management of business accounts: Customers manage their own business accounts. Within one business account, multiple personal accounts with specific roles and permissions can be set up.

In addition to these standard B2B functionalities, XSARUS provides customised solutions to further optimise the B2B customer experience. For example, Hendi uses an optimised checkout that meets the specific needs of B2B customers, such as easily reusing delivery addresses and managing invoice addresses exclusively through the ERP system.

Concept and Design

As experience becomes increasingly important for Hendi, XSARUS designers started with a kick-off session on site at Hendi. This allowed them to immerse themselves in the world of Hendi and translate the acquired knowledge into a strong design. The challenge for Hendi was mainly in integrating the new corporate identity into a workable template for the sometimes extensive specifications without losing the sense of atmosphere. By prioritising functions, a design has emerged that looks fresh and is future-proof.

Time, costs and responsibilities

After the implementation of Adobe Commerce, not only were Hendi's employees trained to work with the platform, but B2B customers were also gradually familiarised with the new ordering environment. Thanks to this transition, Hendi now spends significantly less time on order entry, thereby reducing processing costs per order. In addition to saving time and costs, responsibility has also shifted. Now that customers place their own orders, the responsibility to do so correctly lies with the customer, whereas previously, due to manual entry, it lay with Hendi.

Implementing a PIM system and a commerce platform is no easy task; it was a very intensive process. Fortunately, I was able to go through this together with XSARUS. And the collaboration will continue for a while, as there is still plenty to optimise where I can greatly use the expertise of XSARUS.

Jeffry Wiesnekker, Marketing & Communication Hendi

Less labour-intensive

Thanks to the connections with the ERP and inriver PIM, keeping the B2B platform up to date requires relatively little time. Customers are created in the ERP with their own pricing arrangements, so no effort is spent on sales conditions. Inriver PIM ensures accurate and complete product information. Therefore, only the content pages need to be updated. With the user-friendly Page Builder, even this has become less labour-intensive.

Collaboration

Thanks to the pleasant cooperation in both the PIM and B2B commerce implementation process, a strong partner relationship has developed between Hendi and XSARUS. A solid and important foundation for further collaboration and growth of Hendi.