With a store platform based on cloud-based Intershop technology, E/D/E offers its members an additional service element in e-commerce and e-business. Preparations are currently underway for the go-live with the first pilot distributors. Other interested PVH companies will be able to switch to the platform from the end of 2023.
“The E/D/E Group is continuing to invest in the digital future viability of the medium-sized production association trade. Combining leading store technology with our in-depth industry knowledge creates a unique solution that fits perfectly into the PVH world and the logic of the buying group,” says Joachim Hiemeyer, E/D/E Managing Director responsible for Digital Services, among other things.
In a systematic process, a detailed market analysis was carried out and the market requirements were recorded in close dialog with E/D/E members. Dr. Christoph Grote, who as E/D/E Managing Director is responsible for member management and supplier/product group management, among other things, summarizes: “It is the core task of E/D/E to support its members in their market performance and efficiency in the best possible way. Developments in the market show that we need to differentiate and further develop our range of services to meet the respective requirements of our members. By creating a scalable network solution, we are able to offer our members a specific, leading range of services at economically attractive conditions.”
Focus on regular and new customers The new store platform will be designed with the aim of supporting PVH in digital sales with its regular customers and offering specialist retailers the opportunity to acquire new customers in a highly efficient and effective manner. This solution will enable PVH to operate digitally on an equal footing with leading competitors. With this in mind, E/D/E is systematically and consistently expanding its digital service portfolio.
The market requirements were recorded and coordinated in close cooperation with the members.
These included, for example, very good usability for the buying customer, an intelligent search function for finding products quickly, flexibility in structuring the product ranges, the best possible support for the customer journey, good handling in data management and high scalability in system performance and in the further development of the store solution.
The decision in favor of Intershop as a technology partner was preceded by an intensive and systematic comparison of the providers on the market and the requirements in the production connection trade.
The cloud offers many advantages With Intershop, E/D/E members gain access to a leading international store solution from Germany that is already being used on numerous successful digital platforms and is being systematically innovated and further developed by Intershop.
“We have gained a powerful, internationally oriented German medium-sized company as a partner,” explains Joachim Hiemeyer.
“As an outstandingly scalable platform solution, the store fits perfectly into our network landscape and is in line with the idea of pooling our strengths.”
As a cloud solution, the new store system fits into E/D/E’s digital vision for the future and also offers all the advantages of such technology, such as comparatively low implementation costs and low IT infrastructure, service, security and operating costs.
The Multishop remains part of the digital E/D/E service portfolio. It is currently used by a broad E/D/E membership as an e-commerce and e-business solution for regular B2B customers. Like the Multishop, the new store solution will be fully integrated into the system landscape of the E/D/E Group and PVH. “In addition to the E/D/E systems and the common B2B platforms and ERP interfaces, the connection to tradesman software solutions is also one of the core service elements,” emphasizes Dr. Kai Wille, Program Director Digital Services at E/D/E.
Close dialogue for a genuine PVH solution The market launch is being carried out by the eCommerce Services team in close cooperation with E/D/E Member Management, coordinated and controlled by active program management. “We at E/D/E will continue to provide comprehensive advice on our digital ecosystem. We are also the point of contact for our members for the new range of services, manage requirements and ensure support,” explains Klaus Weskamp, Head of eCommerce Services at E/D/E.
A high-performance product will already be available for the go-live by the end of 2023.
The full range of functions will be implemented by mid-2024.
“We want to design the implementation in close cooperation with B2B companies to ensure that the relevant concerns and requirements from the industrial B2B/industrial B2B sector are incorporated into our solution,” summarizes Dr. Kai Wille.
The new store solution will be offered to E/D/E members in a range of different versions, each perfectly tailored to the requirements of different target groups.
Powerful portfolio in digital sales With this new service element and the Multishop, SellSite as a special store for building services and the Shopware 6 offer from PVH FUTURE LAB, E/D/E offers its trade partners a powerful portfolio that broadly covers the various requirements and needs in digital sales and contributes to E/D/E’s identity as an organizer and operator of market-relevant supply systems for trade and industry, which was developed as part of EVOLUTION.
What does the new E/D/E performance element?
- Successful PVH companies use the requirements of industrial customers and trade businesses to realize a growing share of sales via digital sales channels
- E/D/E sees it as its task to recognize market changes at an early stage and to provide medium-sized PVH with competitive, suitable digital solutions
- With Intershop, E/D/E is making a leading cloud-based technology for B2B e-commerce available to its partners, thereby expanding its digital service portfolio
- E/D/E ensures integration into its product data offering, the network systems and networking with suppliers and end customers
- The combination of powerful, innovative technology from Intershop and the industry expertise of the E/D/E Group puts PVH on a par with its major competitors
- First retailer stores go live at the end of 2023; roll-out begins in 2024
Core store functions
- B2B online store for regular customer care and new customer acquisition
- Very good user guidance for the buying customer along the customer journey
- Mobile-first usability on a par with best-practice benchmarks
- Highly integrated product data supply and dovetailing with the eDC data offering
- Flexible product range design for distributors’ individual target groups
- AI-based, individually configurable product search and product recommendations
Store management
- Simplified management through user-friendly backend processes
- Individual front-end design via integrated CMS functions
- Roles and rights concept for adaptation to the distributor’s organization
- Data feed management for marketing platforms and analytics for store usage
Basic e-procurement functions
- Fully integrated and easy-to-manage e-procurement functions
- Cost center/budget management, simple release scenarios, user-specific catalogues and order lists
- Suitable for craft businesses and small to medium-sized industrial companies
Interfaces and networking
- Deep integration with the distributor’s ERP and PIM system (prices, availability, orders, document display, quotation request, product information)
- Additional sales via order platforms such as SAP Ariba, coupa
- Procurement and supply processes via OCI for direct ordering from the ERP
- Integration of craftsman software (e.g. IDS, OSD, PinnCalc)
- Efficient networking with E/D/E systems (e.g. eLC logistics) and suppliers’ warehouse systems (multi-warehouse)
