JACOB Söhne GmbH & Co. KG is a leading manufacturer and supplier of modular pipe systems. JACOB duct systems are used in particular in running pipe systems for bulk material handling as well as in dust extraction and exhaust air systems for environmental technology (cooling air/exhaust air). Founded in 1924 in Porta Westfalica, the company is still family-owned and now operates internationally with over 600 employees. The JACOB Group includes subsidiaries in Germany, France, Italy, the UK, the Czech Republic, and the USA.
The project at a glance
- A lightweight web application provides JACOB's customers with a basis for making quick decisions about further project planning.
- The Quick Planner tool was implemented as a prototype and helps the JACOB Group to quickly validate assumptions about the behavior of its customers and to test a new sales tool with little effort.
- Customers can optimize their own production planning thanks to early information about scheduled customer projects.
- Digital support in planning modular pipe systems helps JACOB to differentiate itself in sales and innovative support for its customers
Initial situation
JACOB Söhne GmbH & Co. KG manufactures modular piping systems. Trade shows are often used for sales and customer acquisition. Its product catalog and direct contact with sales staff are also important sales channels. Customers are often plant designers who plan the piping systems for their clients in plant projects.
The pipe systems are often not ordered until shortly before the required project delivery deadline, irrespective of the overall construction schedule. There was therefore a desire to establish contact with customers earlier in the customer journey. The channels of communication with customers also needed to be diversified. An assumption was that this would, firstly, optimize the company's own production planning and, secondly, provide customers with more information about the JACOB product range. The assumption that customers would use a digital channel for an initial price quotation for a new project also had to be verified.
Solution
The lightweight Quick Planner web application was implemented by a codecentric developer in close coordination with JACOB's business department within a short period to test the assumptions regarding the digital customer journey. This only works in the frontend and can be accessed via the JACOB website.
Customers enter various parameters relating to their required piping system into the web application. Questions and further information guide users through the multi-level configurator with its multiple views, enabling them to enter all the details of the project and configure their pipe system. At the end of the process, customers are given a summary and an initial cost estimate in the form of a PDF document. Once customers decide to place an order, the project information is forwarded directly to JACOB for translation into a binding order.
The technologies used for the implementation were React, Typescript and Tailwind. The entire application is hosted on Vercel.
It was possible to implement this prototype quickly because complex architecture and integration into JACOB's systems were not included in the first step. Instead, the focus was on verifying the assumptions about JACOB's customers and their use of the new digital tool. Google Analytics was implemented to analyze how the application was used. In addition, test cards were formulated in advance in collaboration with a product coach from codecentric to evaluate and measure success.
Result
The result is a highly generic web application that can be flexibly customized to meet the JACOB's requirements, based on an analysis of how customers use the Quick Planner. The parameters queried and the way customers are guided through the multi-stage configurator can both be customized as needed.
While implementing its planning tool, JACOB learned to work with prototypes to quickly gain insights into its customers. The tool itself makes it possible to identify potential customers at an early stage and also to obtain more information about the type of projects demanded. This not only leads to a better understanding of customers and their customer journey at JACOB, but also to the use of effective methods for rapidly verifying the value of a new web application and an additional digital sales channel.
Tobias Werner
Head of Business Transformation, JACOB Söhne GmbH & Co.
We are extremely satisfied with codecentric’s structured and professional way of working. Short decision-making paths and a direct channel to software developers round off the positive experience. What we also really liked was that codecentric didn't just see our project as a contract job, but also challenged us when it came to content and methodology. This attitude contributed significantly to the excellent outcome.
Tobias Werner
Head of Business Transformation, JACOB Söhne GmbH & Co.
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