Challenge:
Build an e-commerce system that avoids the typical pitfalls of complex apparel management. While many systems use confusing schemes to represent size/color availability, or set up oversized garments as different products due to variable color availability at different sizes, Hanco used a "Style Number" model that did not allow for any separation of products. In addition, Hanco needed a completely separate site with "catalog" pricing that their promotional products distributors could use to send their customers to. This site could not conflict with the main, wholesale site, which presents wholesale pricing and ordering capability to authorized users.
Solution:
Engineer a smart apparel management model and build two comprehensive product catalog sites for two distinct audiences, all on a short timeline? No problem. eBlox worked closely with Hanco to map out and define requirements, documenting the complex and sometimes conflicting apparel model, then developed an apparel modeling solution that supports nearly any possible configuration.
eBlox also developed an automated import capability so that prices could be quickly imported into the product model from a standard spreadsheet. The result is a product model that quickly and simply displays correct availability, pricing and sizes for any given product color. Product pages refresh automatically after selecting colors, and size availability is preserved accurately during the ordering process.
For the multiple sites, eBlox implemented storeBlox 2's new MultiStore system, which enabled the Hanco to simultaneously launch a list-price, industry-coded website for promotional products distributors. With MultiStore's capability to repurpose product data in multiple presentations for different audiences, Hanco's system automatically marks up prices for the retail audience, and presents the data in completely different branding at a separate URL.
Where Hanco's main site, http://www.hancotee.com, requires login and approval to view and order wholesale-priced products, a separate site, http://www.myimprintables.com, presents the same products under a different brand with retail pricing for distributors. No separate management is required.
Outcome:
With storeBlox 2, Hanco was able to launch two sites at once with deceptively simple apparel display and total control over what their different audiences see. 'When we examined ecommerce options, we considered both custom website development as well as "out-of-the-box" ecommerce hosted solutions,' noted Hanco's Craig Darlow. 'eBlox not only provided us with an existing, powerful e-commerce product designed for suppliers in our industry, but also worked closely with us to understand our business and customize it to our particular needs. It gave us the best of both worlds and a solution that was a perfect fit for our business.'
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Hanco
