The power of innovation

The power of innovation

How Hawa Sliding Solutions transformed the customer experience (CX) while reducing cost and time to market

Introduction 

Innovation is the driving force behind progress and growth, and it is especially crucial in the fast-paced world of technology. Companies are continually looking to develop new ways of working and making our business processes more efficient.

CompTIA, one of the US IT industry's top trade associations, created a summary of the most important trends in 2023. Interestingly enough, the need for innovation was on the very top of this list, because “customers in 2023 will be scrutinizing operations, purchasing and people, and their tech providers need to do the same, to remain relevant”.

But this is not a new trend - it has been going on for some time and will continue to grow. So, let's take a closer look at how this scenario is playing out in real life. 

In this article we share the story of Hawa Sliding Solutions and how they used technology to redefine their business processes and their outcomes.  

Innovation as a part of organizational DNA

Hawa Sliding Solutions is a global market and technology leader in sliding door solutions for buildings and furniture. Innovation was always part of their DNA. That’s why early on they invested in an online tool for the customization of their products.  

But as they merged with another company, their situation became more complex. Also, most of their processes were still manual. So, they assessed their situation and went a step further. In close collaboration with their tech provider they decided to reinvent the online tool, turning it from one-page application to a sophisticated platform that influenced the dynamic in different teams, from product engineers to sales and marketing. 

The transformative power of technology 

The platform was an outcome of a long and comprehensive product discovery process. The tech provider needed to analyze complex business logic to come up with an answer to all their needs and underlying challenges. 

The solution completely transformed their business processes, the user experience, and ultimately the customer experience. For the internal teams, the software integrated smoothly into their workflow and automated most of the tasks. For example, the platform can read data directly from .DXF files, allowing for the automatic creation of product configuration templates. It also eliminated the need to develop new single-page apps for each new product family. 

On the front end, their business partners – distributors and resellers, could use it to better serve the end customer. Based on the values the user enters, the platform automatically generates customized planning documents: custom plan exported to PDF, bill of materials, and instructions. All in 5 easy to navigate steps. 

The impact 

The new web app had a massive impact across the board. The achieved efficiencies and improvements translated directly into increased value for end clients, reinforcing the image of Hawa Sliding Solutions as a customer-centric brand. Another benefit was a 100% cost reduction on third-party providers for new product configurators. 

Thanks to the new platform, they were able to take their organizational agility to a whole new level. A significant amount of manual work was eliminated, and the launch of new products was reduced from an average of 9 months down to 2 - 3 weeks, enabling faster response to market trends. 

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Summary

Stories like this show the transformative power of innovation in real life. They also serve as a great example of what a small or medium business can achieve if partnering with a reliable tech provider. Mario Bertoni, the founder and CEO of Bertoni Solutions, says that:

“Digitalization has entered a mature phase, and that presents an opportunity for literally every business. It has to do with the accessibility of technological solutions but also their adaptability. With all those technological advancements and possibilities, it is getting harder for businesses to continue as if this did not apply to them and their target customers”. 

Customers want solutions that will help them expand current offerings or pivot to new business models. And tech providers need to be aware and ready to meet those demands. 

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's continue the conversation on the importance of innovation in shaping the future of business.