Japanese computer hardware manufacturer

Implemented our solution

1. The work on this project began at the end of 2017. ICL Services assigned two teams to the project. One team focused on portal development, while the other handled support for the existing application and associated systems.

   To develop the new portal, specialists selected technologies that enabled processing and storage of large data volumes, as well as ensuring system performance, which was crucial for the client. Special emphasis was placed on designing a functional and user-friendly interface.

   The first web portal prototype was developed within six months, followed by continuous refinements and feature additions every 3–4 months.

   The new web portal now operates much faster and offers a more convenient user experience, with several new features:
   

   • The portal is publicly accessible to everyone online, allowing potential buyers to configure their own computer, server, or other system without needing to invite a manager to come with their laptop, as was necessary with the desktop version.

   • Flexible functionality for working with partners was developed. Partners capable of distributing products are divided into categories, each with its own selling price and discounts. The portal determines the pricing group based on the user's country and the partner's category.

   • There is now an option to disable the display of prices, which can be hidden by a sales manager if the potential buyer is not yet ready to discuss them.

   • The portal enables calculating the upgrade for an already purchased product, allowing users to add or replace modules by selecting a saved configuration. 

   • Configuration wizards and dynamic recommendations during the configuration process were added to assist users, suggesting suitable components for a specific build and ensuring that all components are compatible. 

   • Users can instantly check if a component is available and how long they have to wait for it. As a result, users don't need to email managers to inquire about availability and delivery times, making the purchasing process quicker.

   • Automatic saving allows for secure configuration of complex systems, preventing users from losing configuration data, which can take hours to compile, in case of a sudden computer shutdown or internet issues.
     

   • A new collaborative configuration feature was added, allowing multiple people to be connected to a single configuration and assemble it collectively, making it easier for user groups to consult with one another and make decisions.

   • The newly launched portal is fully integrated with all the client's business processes. Once configured, the order is automatically sent to the sales support system, ERP system, and production order management system, where assembly begins.

   A seamless transition for users was made possible by importing and loading existing configurations into the new portal, while maintaining full backward compatibility.

   The support team worked alongside the development team. The experts on this team:
   

   • supported and optimized old desktop applications, enabling their data to be utilized by the new portal;

   • updated configuration rules and product catalog composition;

   • created databases for specific regions and pricing groups;

   • ensured continuous operation of the portal by quickly identifying and resolving incidents in the work of the new portal.

Products and technologies

• .NET

• ASP.NET Core
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Angular