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Since the successful market introduction of the A+W iQuote Webshop, there is a clear trend in the construction element industry toward ordering via the Internet. This tendency was confirmed once more at BAU in Munich, where A+W Cantor presented its expanded A+W iQuote with exciting new functions.

A+W iQuote now also with external configurators

In past years, A+W Cantor had already integrated suppliers' external online configurators into its ERP and dealer software. The aha experience for visitors to A+W's booth at BAU, however, was that the online configurators of adeco, OBUK, Rodenberg, ROMA, and Warema are now also integrated into A+W iQuote.

If a dealer enters an exterior door online using A+W iQuote, he can call up the appropriate configurator directly and order the desired insert there; it is then displayed correctly in the graphic. Or roller shades for a window.

Furthermore, now it is also possible to integrate A+W iQuote into other window construction programs and thus to use all advantages of the A+W Webshop in the third-party software.

Webshop online without duplicate database

In the window industry, to use a Web configurators, generally a second database is required and customer orders are reentered at the manufacturer. This is not the case with A+W iQuote – the user works directly using the producer's master data!

This way, dealers and sales employees can use A+W iQuote to enter both standard elements and complex configurations quickly and easily. As soon as an order has been placed via A+W iQuote, it is visible in the producer's A+W Cantor system and it can be scheduled for production without any additional work. The price is calculated and displayed, technical restrictions considered – up-to-date in every case. This speeds up the ordering of accessories and makes it more accurate as well.

A+W has implemented all of this on a refreshingly easy-to-operate user interface, which was developed with an eye to touch screens, tablets, and mobile end user devices.

"Our customers cannot make any more mistakes with A+W iQuote. The entire order runs through a restriction check based on our master data. We get a complete, technically correct order; questions and long-winded clarifications on the telephone are no longer required. This makes for greater efficiency in the entire order process." - Wolfgang Neutatz, Managing Director of the sun blind producer and A+W iQuote user Schlotterer.

Partner communication in the Internet of Things

Here we are experiencing an aspect of Industry 4.0 that is frequently not given enough attention. For in a "smart factory," the concern is not just intelligent production, but also smart communication between market partners.

The Web order with incorporation of the external online configurators makes the entire value-creation chain more dynamic. Order processes for which hours or even days had to be calculated before receipt of the order confirmation can now be completed within minutes – including transfer to production!

The entire BOM with all technical details and information for production planning and control is available just-in-time in production. The orders are produced more quickly, delivery times get shorter – and end customers rejoice!