Innovative Digital Experience Solutions with ELKA

ELKA-Torantriebe, a leading manufacturer of barrier systems and gate drives, has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and innovation for over 40 years. Based in Tönning, Germany, ELKA’s experienced team, with many members boasting over 20 years of service, consistently delivers customized solutions tailored to customer and market demands.

The project involved the comprehensive relaunch of ELKA’s website and the development of a B2B online shop. Additionally, the implementation of a PIM system was required for centralized product data management, along with the integration of an online configurator. The existing ERP system also needed to be seamlessly integrated. 

ELKA provides a wide range of high-quality products in numerous variants to a specialized global trade audience. The key challenge was adapting the website, B2B online shop, PIM system, and online configurator to meet the unique needs of the company and its diverse customer base. The project’s complexity was amplified by the need to develop and integrate the configurator, ensuring seamless communication between all systems involved.

Pimcore

ELKA leverages Pimcore Community Edition as the central hub for managing website content, product data, and digital assets across its online shop and configurator.

The new B2B online shop and website relaunch were built on Pimcore’s powerful data and experience management platform.

Based on the comprehensive CMS functionalities of Pimcore, numerous individual customizations were implemented. Some of the features implemented in this project include: 

• Enhanced CMS Functionality: Custom elements like a shopping cart integrated directly into product detail pages.
• Online Configurator Integration: Developed in partnership with GROW partner redhotmagma, the React-based configurator is seamlessly integrated into the shop and connected to the PIM system.
• Spare Parts Search: Customers can quickly find the right spare parts by entering a serial number, with information on installation location included.
• Advanced Download Area: Users can access Pimcore-managed documents related to ELKA products secured from the existing service center. 
• Custom Pricing Logic: Individual prices and discounts are managed through a separate pricing logic, with data retrieved from the ERP system.
• Product Filters: ELKA maintains customizable product filters within Pimcore
• ERP Integration: Orders, including complex configurations, are directly transferred to the ERP system with detailed production instructions.
• Digital Asset Management: Images and documents for the online shop are managed via Pimcore DAM.
• Configurator Logic: The online configurator’s complex logic is fully mapped in Pimcore.
• At launch, the system managed around 1,000 products, 40,000 data objects and 2,500 assets, with data exchanged seamlessly between Pimcore and the connected ERP system.

Online configurator

To enhance support for dealers and sales partners at the point of sale, an online configurator was integrated into ELKA’s shop. This tool offers extensive customization options for various ELKA products, enabling users to tailor configurations to their specific needs. 

The configurator was custom-built to handle the complexity of ELKA’s product range and the numerous configuration dependencies. It seamlessly exchanges data with the shop, ensuring that individual prices, discounts, and delivery times are accurately reflected in each configuration.

UX & UI

The new ELKA website stands out for its exceptional design quality, featuring a clear, modern aesthetic. Both the website and the online shop are designed not just for visual appeal, but also for consistent, user-centric functionality.

UI Services

• Developed a cohesive online CI, including fonts, colors, icons, and buttons, based on the existing website
• Created a comprehensive screen design using a mobile-first approach
• Designed the interface for the online configurator

UX services

• Conducted a target group analysis workshop
• Developed user-centered wireframes for the online configurator
• Addressed complex requirements and dependencies through thoughtful design
• Ensured user-friendly and intuitive operation across both mobile devices and desktop

Our collaboration with ELKA was marked by a strong and cooperative partnership. The ambitious web project successfully documented digital transformation in the B2B sector, with comprehensive technical solutions developed, integrated, and implemented using agile methodologies. The result is a compelling showcase of innovation and efficiency.

We are excited to continue our partnership with ELKA and provide ongoing support for the project’s future development.

Founded in 1979 as a family business, ELKA has steadily grown into a global leader. Today, the company operates from a 5,000 square meter facility, exporting its products to over 80 countries worldwide. By continually expanding and modernizing its production facilities, ELKA remains committed to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions for the future.