Customer portals in the building materials supply industry & industrial production

Customer portals are indispensable in the consumer goods industry and many service sectors. But how can such portals be used in the building materials supply industry or in industrial production, and what advantages do they offer? We present three options for such portals. Customer portals have long since ceased to be merely a means of outsourcing tasks. Customers now act simultaneously as consumers and producers, also known as prosumers, using the portal's functions to access services in real time. This includes serving as an information resource for troubleshooting and as a platform for submitting inquiries and placing orders. Customers are therefore a key driver for the establishment of customer portals, as they want to avoid complicated, time-consuming, and paper-based processes. Companies, too, can benefit from the profound and independent actions of their customers, not only by saving on sales and service costs but also by gaining a clear competitive advantage by offering such a platform. This not only helps acquire new customers but also significantly strengthens and improves existing customer relationships. Success story of gravel & recycling Learn about the added value and benefits a customer portal has brought to the company. There are also further examples of how customer self-service portals can look in the building materials supply industry or in industrial production and improve the customer experience.

Configurator for products and services

The initial example illustrates the importance of product configurators. These allow customers to design a product online according to their wishes. Ideally, a cost overview and ordering option are then immediately available. Using such portals makes it possible to meet changing customer demands and offer products more successfully. Master data, such as information on materials, forms the basic element of such a configurator and is usually already available within the company. It becomes clear that these types of portals are conceivable and applicable in a wide variety of industrial production processes. The major advantage lies in the increased efficiency for the company, as data collection for inquiries is structured, capturing all necessary information and reducing the need for follow-up questions. Furthermore, the majority of inquiries can be processed automatically. Even if manual intervention is required in complex cases, standardized processes ensure efficient handling.

Documentation via customer portals

Another example describes a customer portal in the construction or transportation industry, which can also be used internally, thus greatly simplifying a multitude of processes. An overview of current delivery progress, delays, next steps, and costs can be provided transparently via the portal. This progress is recorded on-site using photos, videos, and plans, and can be accessed remotely. This approach allows customers access to current developments while simultaneously simplifying internal control processes and documentation. Furthermore, it leads to significant time savings, for example, through fewer site visits. The customer portal is also a suitable tool for resolving customer questions and problems, as well as internal ones, more quickly, using documents such as delivery notes, invoices, and construction plans. This makes internal and external communication more transparent and comprehensible for all involved.

Customer portals as sales portals

The third example combines a customer portal with a sales tool. Registered customers can learn about products or services and order them immediately. Additionally, the sales and support team can access further detailed product information and use it as a sales aid. The product information provided via the portal should ideally be presented in a microsite rather than a PDF product sheet. The advantages of microsites lie in the greater number of interaction options and the availability of more detailed information. For example, additional product images, technical drawings, or videos can be included. Furthermore, the information can be updated more easily than in a PDF document. Companies usually already possess all the necessary data (master data, documentation, order lists, etc.) and can utilize it for such a portal. Customer portals are therefore an important access point for existing internal systems and strengthen customer loyalty and interaction. Intrigued? Then here Contact us for a no-obligation consultation or further information and we will be happy to help you develop your individual customer portal.