Accurate quotes and orders in the shortest possible time worldwide

With CREALIS® CPQ, Christ AG is achieving a high level of efficiency in the international distribution of its car wash systems.

Otto Christ Wash Systems

OTTO CHRIST AG

The Christ Group is a group of companies under the umbrella of Otto Christ AG — Wash Systems in Memmingen. Founded in 1963, the company is now one of the leading car wash manufacturers in Europe. The product range extends from the well-known gantry car washes and self-service systems in car wash parks to various car washes for commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses as well as rail vehicles. The international dealer network and its subsidiaries are the pillars of its worldwide distribution.

THE TASK

Otto Christ AG — Wash Systems offers the right gantry wash system for every requirement. In the past, Christ’s sales force used about 25 different price lists kept in Excel, which had to be regenerated regularly. However, the variety of combinations and the multitude of interdependencies under certain prerequisites such as technical feasibility and economic efficiency cannot be mapped in Excel in a usable way. The quote processes are to be made simpler and error-free using a product configurator and achieve an increased sales presence on the international market.

THE PROCESS

An extremely good response after a successful test phase prompted a roll-out across the worldwide distribution network After evaluating a comprehensive market analysis, Christ opted for CREALIS® CPQ from ORISA. A pilot project was initially launched in mid-2013. As a prototype, a selected gantry washing system was to be mapped and configured in the configurator together with the available wash programmes. This includes both determining the technical components required in each case and the layout of the wash programme steps. In addition, extensive calculations were integrated, for example, what consumption of resources (energy, water, chemicals, etc.) and what costs are incurred by the system operator when using the respective wash programme. After successful completion of the pilot project, the actual project started at the end of the year. The customer gradually undertook the modelling tasks itself. For this purpose, the modellers received the appropriate instructions from ORISA. The models can thus be developed and maintained independently of the software manufacturer. The internal IT department accompanied this project in an advisory capacity and with the provision of the existing IT infrastructure. In 2015, the foreign distribution started with the beta phase. The good response from the participants prompted a roll-out across the global distribution network, which was completed at the end of 2015.

Otto Christ Wash Systems Closeup

THE OUTCOME

Convenient use and exact results lead to high acceptance With around 200 users from fifty countries at present, about 30 to 50 configurations are made per day. This high acceptance is explained by the comfort offered. Clear formulations, faultlessness and overcoming possible language barriers play an essential role here. This allows the configurator to be used in the native language and the results to be generated immediately in the respective target language. A range of documents such as technical data sheets, price information, general terms and conditions, etc. are available in the respective languages. Traders can insert their logos and annotations into the Word documents. The visualisation in 2D shows the current configuration status at any time and lends a helping hand when selling products requiring intensive consultation. If a configuration is completed and meets the customer’s requirements, an order can be placed directly from the configurator. The clear and intuitive user interface allows the configurator to be used without lengthy familiarisation. The provision of a stringent selection of the desired components at any time facilitates the work to a great extent and provides security with regard to feasibility. In general, there are very high time savings when entering orders. The simplified process flow structure in order processing contributes significantly to this.

THE OUTLOOK

Offline functionality of the configurator as well as further features for visualisation in planning Already, almost 98 percent of orders are being placed via the configurator. It is planned to provide certain sales representatives and dealers with offline functionality for the configurator. For this purpose, they will receive a licence to use this offline version on their local PC. The results configured on site are then sent to the Christ server via a specially set up internet access. Data synchronisation will take place here so that the configuration always has an up-to-date status. There are also plans to use the advantages of 3D visualisation within the realm of sales support. Graphic details can be highlighted realistically and effectively. In future, this will enable the potential customer to be guided through the system to be configured even more clearly. Furthermore, making the configurator available to users, including terminal device compatibility, is under consideration. This mobility in the sense of responsive web design allows the configurator to be used in a wide variety of situations and enables a flexible way of working in sales. This results, for example, in even greater responsiveness to enquiries and change requests.

“Today, almost 98 percent of orders are placed via the configurator. As a result, a 50% time saving is achieved.”

- Simon Zettler, Area Sales Manager, Otto Christ AG

The Project in Figures

98%

processing of quotes via the configurator

50%

Time saving

55%

Export share

200

Users

50

Countries

The customer benefits at a glance

  • Support of international sales

  • Enormous time and cost savings in worldwide distribution

  • Rapid preparation of correct quotes

  • Reduced error rate in orders

  • Reduced order through put time

  • Available online on the internet

Otto Christ Product Configurator Screenshot