asecos product finder: Smart product search in a new design

Initial situation

The new product finder from asecos is based on the previous product configuratorwhich already had an interface to the crossbase.pim system. The main goal was to further optimize product selection. The aim was to make it even quicker and easier for customers to find the right product, add it to their collection and then send an inquiry to asecos.

Procedure

The new product finder was developed in close coordination with asecos in weekly exchange meetings. The basic layouter was designed by the customer and further developed in collaboration with crossbase.

Technically, the solution relies on state-of-the-art technologies such as Angular and Tailwind, combined with the headless CMS and the online catalog module online catalog module from crossbase. In addition to an optimized interface, the functions from the previous product configurator were largely taken over and optimized. This already impressed with an ease-of-use interface that was available in eight languages for 19 countries via a language and country selection and was linked to the respective assortment. The powerful full-text search with auto-complete and extensive filter options have also been retained, so that the results are still displayed in a clear tile view.

The product detail pages offer a high level of information content: in addition to technical data, images, accessories and downloads, CAD drawings are also available there. Asecos can maintain all content directly in the crossbase.pim system using drag & drop without any programming knowledge - including the flexibly configurable searchbars.

There are also the following new features:

• On the detail pages, users can now find a variant filter in addition to the technical data. This lists all available variants of the product and restricts them according to the user's selection.
• In addition, linked services and information pages matching the respective product or product group are displayed.
• The new item comparison makes it possible to compare up to three items in a table and compare their features. The products can then be added directly to the collection.
• The integrated data sheet engine can be used to automatically generate a data sheet for the respective product. In addition to product images, this also combines technical features and drawings in a PDF. Based on a page template, the product information is automatically placed from the crossbase database according to the specifications. From the PDF, a link can be used to navigate back to the corresponding product in the product finder.
• For the ION-LINE product group, the finder offers direct access: from the start page, customers can immediately access the configuration, where they can put together cabinets, transfer them to the product finder's collection and, in the next step, request them directly from asecos. The configurator with 2D and 3D visualization is provided by our partner 4PACE (4PACE configurator).

Result

Thanks to the collaboration between asecos and crossbase, the new product finder boasts a modern design and optimized user guidance that quickly leads customers to the right product. A guided navigation is also planned for the future, which will make the selection process even more intuitive.

Thanks to the use of current technologies and complete integration into the crossbase PIM system, asecos benefits from consistent product information and flexibly customizable content such as searchbars at all times. With the Finder, asecos is strengthening its digital presence and creating a future-proof basis for an efficient and customer-oriented product experience.