Three domains from a single Magento Open Source backend

WLS Products

WLS Products supplies supplements and products for consumers striving for a healthy lifestyle. A specific group of customers for WLS Products are those who have undergone weight-loss surgery and are required to monitor their intake of proteins, calcium, and possibly other supplements for life. WLS Products also caters to those seeking a safe and healthy diet through the proven protein diet. With a versatile range, WLS Products offers proteins to maintain a healthy diet and stay in shape.

In search of a new e-commerce platform

WLS Products approached XSARUS during the search for a new e-commerce platform. At that time, WLS Products was using two different platforms (Prestashop and Open Cart). Neither platform offered the functionality that aligned with WLS Products' intended growth ambitions.

The search for a new platform was characterised by a number of requirements:

Managing all WLS Products shops from a single backend, considering the different domains (wlsproducts.nl, wlsproducts.de, wlsproducts.com), different languages and divergent designs
Streamlining and automating processes and interfaces better
Reliable interfaces with external systems and partners
Future-proof and robust
Convey expertise and experience
Support their B2B activities
Deliver internationally (both B2B and B2C)

In short: a platform that can facilitate the further growth of WLS Products.

I have experienced numerous go-lives on various platforms with different partners over the last 15 years and it was always a kind of torture. This time it was exciting again, but in a pleasant way. We are pleased to work with XSARUS and look forward to a long-term collaboration and healthy development of our business.

Jacques Wouters, Manager Finance & Logistics WLS Products

Commerce Platform Magento Open Source

The e-commerce solution of Magento quickly became a topic of discussion. The extensive B2C functionality, the possibility of realising B2B support, the options regarding multilingualism, and managing multiple storefronts from a single backend sparked interest in Magento. Integrating external partners and systems is also relatively easy in Magento. The wishlist of WLS Products could be completely checked off. It became the Magento Open Source edition.

Concept and Design

Prior to the Magento Open Source implementation, a design kick-off was organised by the UX/UI designers of XSARUS. During this session, user experience and user interface desires were discussed. In the Concept & Design phase, the ideas were processed into various mobile-first and desktop page examples. Conceptual wireframes and visual interpretations were proposed. Since WLS Products does not have a clear brand guide, small adjustments were made in the existing look & feel, ensuring that WLS Products remains recognisable, yet has a fresher appearance. The use of bright colours, shadows and rounded corners made the appearance softer and friendlier.

Implementation Magento Open Source

With the implementation of the new Magento Open Source commerce platform, all domains are managed from a single backend thanks to the multistore functionality. This makes it possible to manage the seven different domains, various languages, and the diverse frontends from one Magento installation.

For the accounting program Twinfield that WLS Products uses, a standard plugin within Magento Open Source is available. Unfortunately, this did not meet the expectations of WLS Products. Therefore, we developed a custom integration, allowing sales and credit invoices to be processed and reconciled automatically.

Magento Open Source is not a webshop for beginners. There are many options and buttons that you will not often use or will wonder what they do. But after a few months of working in Magento, it feels like you've never done anything else.

Beppie Welling, Product and E-commerce Manager WLS Products

WLS Products' customers also benefit from the new Magento Open Source environment. Where it was previously impossible to choose specific flavours in a sample pack, it is now possible to choose all flavours thanks to the Bundle functionality in Magento Open Source. And this without causing much extra work for WLS Products. The sleek, fresh look & feel and consistent appearance of the different frontends will also be noticeable to consumers.

The implementation process was supported by Prologita, a hands-on consultancy firm. As Daniel Derickx (Consultant at Prologita) was closely involved in the project, he was able to fulfil a project manager role for WLS Products and smoothly coordinate between WLS's wants and needs and the actual functional and technical implementation.

The collaboration, where we worked together at the XSARUS office once a week, I found extremely pleasant. Additionally, besides professionalism and proven knowledge, there is also certainly a lot of enjoyment in working with the project team members.

Beppie Welling

Ready for the future

With a platform like Magento Open Source, WLS Products is technically ready for the future. The community-based platform ensures that there are more than enough expansion options thanks to the many existing modules. If there is no module for a particular issue, it can still be resolved with custom work. With this solid technical foundation, the organization can also continue to work commercially on growth.