Traceparts

Engineers and designers want to save time [survey]

Do you know what your customers want? Would you be able to define scientifically a number of benefits that they would be particularly keen to have?

If you can answer these questions, it means that you have a great head start over your competitors because while they are speculating about these things (“I think…”), you can take precise action without any margin of error.

This is also what a 3D online cataloging platform can also be used for, in other words, for obtaining the answers without the need to ask the questions. This is because observation is the best way to understand what engineers and designers are looking for when they have to develop a project.

Obviously, it doesn’t do any harm to ask. And this is precisely what TraceParts has done recently with a survey that it sent out to the 4,122,000 registered users who regularly use TraceParts to acquire components.

71% of those interviewed were definite in their responses: they use TraceParts to save time. In fact, saving time is one of the benefits that is immediately tangible for a designer switching from the conventional method of working (using paper-based catalogs or company sites with individual online catalogs) to the TraceParts platform.

Because you find it helpful saving time

The benefit of being able to perform the same operation in less time is not restricted to saving time being an end in itself. It also has a direct impact on the entire production and organizational phase. In fact, harnessing the benefit of speed offered by online catalog systems automatically converts to:

  • greater accuracy (fewer distractions and greater focus)
  • a reduction in margins for error
  • the option to delegate some tasks that are almost automated (saving more time)
  • the chance to earmark more resources for strategic phases (R&D or marketing)

Generally speaking, saving time is not just about the simple benefit of completing a task using fewer resources. It can become a very powerful tool by making your company more competitive.

By learning from the replies collected as part of the survey, TraceParts’ thoughts have been on not just being complacent. In fact, the new features it has developed have focused specifically on the time aspect.

Making the right choices is easy when you have all the information available

A few simple thoughts have been taken into consideration on this point:

  • many of the designers registered with and active on TraceParts are regular users
  • they are very familiar with the companies developing products in their sector (internal mechanisms, mechanical components, electrical components, etc.)
  • even though the TraceParts catalog is huge (100 million 2D and 3D designs), they work in clearly defined sectors
  • being able to find at a glance just the new products in their sector would save them even more time

This inspired the idea of devoting a monthly newsletter only to catalogs that have recently been added.

The aim of this was to:

  • spotlight the new products immediately (products added recently)
  • divide them by category for a first quick pass through them
  • provide users with immediate download access
  • deliver to their mailbox only details of the new products, organized in a logical manner

A path was established, designed for those who already use the platform (downloading 2D and 3D models and purchasing them later), and who therefore need to quickly understand what is new compared to the previous month.

Become the resource your customers are looking for

Generating sales in the mechatronics sector means becoming a valuable resource for your customers. This is done by carrying out R&D aimed at creating products capable of performing increasingly efficiently, while also allowing those who design and buy these products to do their job in a simple way by reducing any waste of time and distractions to a minimum.

This is the area that the continuous innovations made to the TraceParts platform have focused on and this is what companies can offer their customers, as they enjoy a multilingual platform that eliminates distances, compatibility and format issues, and any unnecessary waste of time for those involved in selling and buying.

How could you put your traditional catalog online and what benefits would it bring? This is the challenge that I’ve been dealing with for more than 10 years. Contact me [HERE] and I will be happy to talk to you about the figures involved by presenting an analysis of what you could achieve thanks to an online catalog system.

About the Author

Gian Paolo Lodi
Gian Paolo Lodi

Sales Account Manager Part Catalog Services, TraceParts

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