Data-Based Product Configurator for Automotive OEMs
- Client: International leading manufacturer from South Germany
- Sector: Automotive
Awarded as one of the international leading automobile manufacturers, the client stands for the largest supplier of premium cars and is the biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles worldwide.
- The Challenge
The client offers its customers an online product configurator which is used to constellate new automobiles individually. While the user is utilizing the configurator, data can be collected regarding how the he interacts with the configurator and in what customers are particularly interested in. The configurator - as well as other parts of the website - are host by the software of an established manufacturer, which also capture the interaction data. Several hundred million data points are collecting every day. However, the analysis possibilities of this software are limited and did not fulfill the requirements of our mandate. In particular he desires a better understanding of customer interests and an improvement in user guidance.
- Our Solution
After an intensive analysis of the needs and objectives in cooperation with our client, we developed the architecture for a data pipeline. With this pipeline the raw data of the configurator were processed and provided for further analysis. We had developed and extensively documented a software solution based entirely on open source for our client. We only used technologies that were established, well documented and regularly maintained during implementation. We also enabled our client to minimize future operating costs by implementing the project, in such a way, that a 24/7 operation of software (such as a database) doesn't occur. Our client was able to immediately transfer our software solution into a test run and to took it over into continuous operation within a short time.
As a subordinate part of the project, we developed evaluations and sample visualizations with the now easily accessible data from the configurator, which can be used for marketing purposes, product and production optimization and other purposes. - Why this case could be relevant for you
Products that can be completely or partially customized, are not a special feature today - rather a standard. However, this step isn't only a simple customer service for companies. Clever configuration management and the integration of the resulting data can contribute significantly to added value. Whether they are used to optimize production in a demand-oriented manner or to align future offers and product developments with existing demand. This case also provides an answer to the classic dilemma of many companies: They produce vast amounts of potentially valuable data, but in the absence of data pipelines, inadequate processing or format conflicts can only generate little or no added value.