Case
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FLUX
FLUX-GERÄTE GMBH is a B2B manufacturer primarily of pumps, but also of product systems made up of pumps, motors, flow meters, accessories and much more, which markets its products through its own sales channels and a spare parts ecosystem. Together with Y1, the outdated, fragmented system landscape was replaced by a modern, integrated Digital Experience Platform based on Pimcore – with central product and content management, seamless ERP integration and a scalable architecture for future international markets.
FLUX's existing system landscape was technologically outdated and consisted of isolated individual systems with unstructured data flows. Specifically, the following problems existed:
Fragmented data storage: Product and content data were maintained decentrally and inconsistently – a central “single source of truth” was missing entirely.
No automation possible: Inefficient, manual data flows prevented the business model from scaling and blocked automation potential.
Architecture difficult to maintain: The existing system architecture was complex, hardly extensible and tied up a disproportionate amount of resources in maintenance.
Lack of integration capability: No end-to-end connection between the ERP (proALPHA), website, spare parts shop and other systems.
Limited user experience: The platform offered neither external customers nor internal users a contemporary, consistent experience.
No multi-tenancy: The system was not designed for international markets and multilingual requirements.
The pressure to act arose from the combination of growing market requirements, increasing competition and the realization that the existing platform could support neither the current product strategy nor future scaling scenarios (international markets, new sales channels).
From data silos to a Digital Experience Platform – one source, one system, unlimited scalability
Technological foundation
Introduction of Pimcore as an integrated DXP – combining PIM, DAM and CMS in one platform
API-first architecture for maximum integration capability and future-proofing
Connection of the ERP system proALPHA via OpenAPI (JSON upsert with error handling, retries and monitoring)
PIM – product data management
Development of a complete data model with defined mandatory attributes, value lists and relations
Central maintenance structure as the basis for consistent, high-quality product data
Automated, script-based product release after data migration
DAM – Digital Asset Management
Design of a metadata schema incl. defined renditions (output formats for images and documents)
Structured media management for consistent reuse of assets
CMS – website & content
Development of an MVP website with prioritized templates and areabricks
Implementation of SEO (structured data, XML sitemap, robots.txt, hreflang strategy)
Tracking setup via Google Tag Manager, data layer, User Centric (GDPR-compliant), Google Analytics
Newsletter integration via Rapidmail (embed script as an areabrick)
Spare parts search interface (Spareparts.live)
Partner portal bundle
UX & design
User-centered UX concept: sitemap, low-fidelity wireframes, moodboard (Figma)
UI design based on the validated UX concept
Involving business users early (early user involvement) to avoid endless theoretical discussions
Governance & processes
Content governance concept: language/region matrix, translation and approval processes, roles & permissions
Clearly defined workflows and SLAs for internal and external collaboration
Principle of “standard before custom development” (80/20): customizing only where absolutely necessary
The project was implemented in an iterative, modular phase model:
Phase 1 – Scoping
Analysis of the initial situation, system landscape and business processes
Workshops to gather business requirements (PIM, DAM, CMS, ERP integration)
Definition of the MVP scope, data model and system architecture
Creation of process diagrams, decision log, SEO/tracking plan
Phase 2 – Pilot (proof of concept)
Validation of technical and functional feasibility based on Pimcore
Building a working PoC for PIM, DAM, CMS and ERP integration
Creation of a low-fidelity UX concept (wireframes, moodboard)
Review of the Pimcore licensing strategy (Community vs. Professional Edition)
First ERP interface to proALPHA tested as an example
Early user involvement: business users enter the first products and content themselves
Phase 3 – Implementation of the overall project
Iterative implementation of all defined work packages in sprints
Regular review meetings, Q&A sessions and close coordination with the customer
Methods & tools
Workshops (scoping, requirements engineering, review)
Figma (UX/UI design)
Decision log & open issues tracking
OpenAPI specification for ERP integration
Agile development in sprints with defined milestones
