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The Voith Paper Webshop aims to simplify ordering of spare parts
Jul. 19, 2017 - Since January, papermakers around the globe have been able to purchase Voith products and services around the clock in the Voith Paper Webshop. But the new online platform promises to offer more than an easy way to purchase replacement parts — it also enables all information about a machine, from the original delivery to the order history and operating instructions, to be viewed at a glance, says Voith.
July 19, 2017 By P&PC Staff
Alain Gafner Initial customers, such as Perlen Papier and Papierfabrik Palm, were the first to gather experience with the platform during a test phase. On the basis of their experience, Voith said it continued to refine the platform in an effort to make it more user-friendly.
For example, customers can opt to search for the spare parts they need using a clearly arranged tree structure or the order number, which may also be a customer-defined internal part number. “A search based on our own part numbers makes the order process much simpler and helps us to avoid ordering the wrong parts,” said Christian Stocker, team leader technical purchasing at Perlen Papier.
A few clicks will access prices, delivery times and availability. “The Webshop shows me all information on component specifications and sizes — and also, exactly where the part is located in the machine,” said Michelle White, senior purchaser for the UK at Papierfabrik Palm. She believes that the benefits of the Voith Paper Webshop are much greater than those of other online shops she is familiar with.
“Thanks to order tracking the person placing the order can see exactly when a part arrives at the plant, allowing for highly accurate scheduling of maintenance works. Being able to see the current availability of parts also allows paper manufacturers to maintain a leaner spare parts inventory,” explained Michael Thoma, director global e-business solutions Voith Paper.
Integration of the Webshop into the customer’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system allows ordering and order processing to be realized without system interruptions, says Voith, adding that as a result, ordering history and tracking are rendered transparent for both parties, the ordering process is easier to plan and is much simplified for all participants.
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