Interactive Online Spare Parts Catalog for Bosch Thermotechnology Streamlines Workflow for Professional Customers
Background information
For Bosch Thermotechnology, Kittelberger has developed an online spare parts catalog (WebETK) that enables professional customers to search for devices and their spare parts.
Detailed exploded views of devices and assemblies allow users to find the right part and place orders with just a few clicks—making both the identification and ordering process as simple and efficient as possible.
The online spare parts catalog was initially implemented for Bosch Germany. A rollout of the application for other countries and brands, as well as integration with Bosch eShops, is planned.
Key data
- Customer: Bosch Thermotechnik
- Live URL: https://www.bosch-thermotechnik.de
- Section: Database Service and Support
- Launch: May 2021
Fast research with Elasticsearch
The online spare parts catalog from Bosch Thermotechnology is a web application for searching and providing information about spare parts. The data processed in this application comes from the advastamedia® PIM, which is used by Bosch Thermotechnology. The database contains around 175,000 spare parts and 35,000 devices with valid bills of materials. This data forms the basis for the WebETK assortment for a brand or country.
A simple search field allows users to search for the device they need a spare part for, or for the spare parts themselves. An Elasticsearch engine accesses the data provided from the advastamedia® PIM in real time.
PDF generator creates a list of all spare parts for a device at the click of a button
For the individual components of a device's assemblies, a clear spare parts list can be generated with a single click. This is handled by the Kittelberger PDF generator, which has been project-specifically configured and implemented in the application. The PDF for an assembly is generated on-the-fly in the Bosch layout and contains both the exploded view and the list of all contained spare parts and other relevant information.
Clicking on the spare part shows which devices it is used in
Directly on the detail page of a spare part, the "usage reference" function shows in which devices the part is used. This feature also uses the Elasticsearch engine.
Interactive hotspot graphics lead easily to the required spare part
A special feature of the online spare parts catalog is the use of sensitive graphics: the exploded views of devices and assemblies (exploded views show the device disassembled and spatially separated for better visibility) are implemented as so-called hotspot graphics. This means that the numbering within these sketches is recognized by advastamedia® as sensitive areas during import and their positions are saved accordingly. At the same time, the associated article or assembly for each hotspot number is automatically determined and assigned.
The web application retrieves these coordinates and references accordingly, enabling users to jump directly from the exploded view to the required spare part and add it to an order list.
“This allows an installer, for example, to get exactly to the spare part they need in just a few clicks – without knowing its name or order number,” says Tanja Frank, who managed the project on behalf of Kittelberger.
These sensitive exploded graphics make the online spare parts catalog a practical tool for professionals such as installers and dealers, or for the field service team.
Here’s the workflow in action:
About Bosch Thermotechnology
Bosch Thermotechnology is a leading European manufacturer of energy-efficient heating products and hot water solutions. In the 2019 financial year, Bosch Thermotechnology generated sales of around €3.6 billion with approximately 14,500 employees, 66 percent of which came from outside Germany. Bosch Thermotechnology has strong international and regional brands and a diverse product range produced in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
More information at www.bosch-thermotechnik.de