Case Study
1a Medizintechnik
June 07, 2022
Rescuers of the Rescue Stations: How 1A Medizintechnik Digitalized the Distribution of Emergency Equipment with Shopmacher and Underwent Its Own Digital Transformation
Just before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1A Medizintechnik launched its first online shop for emergency medical equipment. The initial investments paid off within a year, but the company has also benefited from its first steps toward digitalization in other ways.
Shopware
Shop system
Founded
Employees
Turnover (2019)
ABOUT 1A MEDIZINTECHNIK
For over 20 years, the family-owned company 1A Medizintechnik in Bocholt has been equipping rescue services, emergency medical professionals, and occupational safety sectors with high-quality first aid products. With over 30 employees, many of whom have worked in emergency services themselves, they understand the industry’s needs first-hand, providing expert advice and custom solutions tailored to specific requirements. The company now processes over 200 orders daily, maintaining close relationships and direct communication with customers.
Challenge
To expand beyond their core target of fire departments and rescue stations and reach the private sector for their emergency equipment, company owners Annette and Markus Nieuwenhuis decided in the fall of 2019 to digitalize their sales. The COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out just months later, became the first real test for their newly launched shop.
Implementation
The core target group of fire departments and rescue stations remains highly analog. Available computers are often outdated, and some warehouses still lack Wi-Fi. The standard ordering process involved calling the sales team or sending a fax.
For this reason, 1A Medizintechnik approached digitalization step-by-step, closely listening to the market. The process began with an online ordering tool where companies could enter their order numbers, which would then generate an email to the B2B supplier. However, customers soon requested the ability to see alternative products with prices when an item was out of stock. They also wanted clearer information about delivery times and packaging units, as well as additional product information.
With the help of Shopmacher, the B2B shop on the Shopware 6 platform was continuously expanded. One specialty is the dynamic product lists, which allow users to create tenders using tags and filters.
Another innovation is a PWA (Progressive Web App), enabling rescue station staff to record needed products on-site without internet access. QR codes were placed on warehouse shelves for each product, allowing for quick scans to place orders. Once the mobile device connects to the internet, the order is processed. This saves staff time by eliminating the need to walk from the warehouse to the office to reorder products manually. 1A Medizintechnik’s vision is to fully automate the reordering process, integrating it with the rescue station’s inventory management systems.
Brief overview of the steps of the ordering process in the PWA:
Step 1: Login
Step 2: Scan QR code
Step 3: Adjust quantity
Step 4: Place order
In parallel with the shop expansion, B2B customers were trained extensively on how to use the shop, through training manuals and on-site presentations. This has been well-received at the rescue stations, especially since time-consuming ordering processes are now well-represented online. Additionally, during the pandemic, acquiring new customers via Google became almost effortless. 1A Medizintechnik’s core products—masks, disinfectants, and other essentials—were among the most in-demand items during COVID-19.
Result
1A Medizintechnik’s initial investment of €500,000 was recouped within just one year. Twenty-five percent of new customers found the shop through Google searches, and many existing customers are increasingly ordering digitally. Moreover, the introduction of the online shop also led to process automation within the company. Orders now go straight to the warehouse without needing to be manually processed. Sales staff also benefit from the webshop by being able to share product suggestions with customers via a simple link to the product detail page.
CHARACTERISTICS
Customer:
1A Medizintechnik
Result:
B2B online store
Web:
1a-medizintechnik.de
GoLive:
2020
Performance modules:
- Concept & design
- Implementation frontend and backend
Technologies:
- Shop system: Shopware 6