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For the Garden + Hobby division of AL-KO, we created a spare part identification and ordering system with added value, based on the PlusParts frame work. The system, which is available either on the Internet or via a CD-Rom, allows service centres and specialists to quickly and easily locate the correct spare part needed to repair any AL-KO product and then order it directly on-line or by fax.
The system includes all products manufactured in the past five years,
including gardening equipment from other AL-KO-owned brands like
the premium Concord brand, AL-KO Powerline and numerous other OEM
products produced by AL-KO.
AL-KO partners currently have on-line access to parts diagrams of over 5,000
products with over 25,000 spare parts.
This spare part system was primarily created and designed to be used online.
There is also a CD-Rom version available for those who do not already have
access to the Internet; the microfiche system that AL-KO previously used for
identifying spare parts will soon be completely phased out.
The AL-KO online spare-part system has an integrated search and classification
function that allows you to clearly identify the piece of equipment you want to
repair, even if you do not know the article number or product name.
You can zoom in on any part shown in the selected exploded-view diagram and
enlarge it enough to be able to see it clearly enough to correctly identify it.
This makes it very easy to find the particular screw or lawnmower blade that
you're looking for. By simply clicking on the required spare part, the part is
added to your shopping basket and you can then either order it online or, if
using the CD-Rom version, print out the order form and send this on to AL-KO
by fax.
In order to provide AL-KO service representatives with even more possibilities,
the AL-KO online spare part system offers interesting additional features. Firstly,
it facilitates the warranty application process with AL-KO and secondly, the
integrated quotation generator lets you quickly draft a presentable quotation,
based on the spare parts ordered in only a few steps. This can then be printed
out and presented to the end customer or sent by e-mail.
AL-KO hopes that this new service will get a positive response, especially due
to the inclusion of these additional features that were developed during workshop
sessions with AL-KO service partners. They will help specialists to deal
with routine daily administrative tasks more efficiently.
The on-line ordering system was first presented to the industry at Gafa 2000
and then integrated into the partner sections of the AL-KO on-line catalogue.
A CD-ROM in five languages is available for a nominal fee. The online catalogue,
however, is free. A B2C view-only parts catalogue, accessible to all ALKO
customers, has been available since 2003 in addition to the B2B system.´
This was integrated into the service section of the AL-KO website and enables
end customers to identify the part they need for any AL-KO product. In the
interests of service partners, it is not possible to order directly from the site.
The system requirements for the envisaged target group, ,specialists' have purposely
been kept to a minimum; the CD-ROM version runs on a PC with just 300
MHz and the Internet version requires an Internet connection, a web browser
and Java Virtual Machine.
The system was initially available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
In 2004, Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Russian were also added.
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