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Häfele GmbH Co KG, based in Nagold, is a manufacturer of hardware technology, lighting and electronic locking systems. Since 1923, the company with over 8,000 employees today has been a strong partner for the best possible design of living and working spaces. Customers from over 150 countries around the world rely on Häfele’s expertise.
CUSTOMER: Häfele
INDUSTRY: Hardware technology, lighting, and electronic locking systems
PROJECT:Configurator for wardrobes and cabinet systems
SOLUTION: Product configuration, 3D visualization AR
TECHNOLOGIES: CADClick®
From planning and concept to implementation and market launch, a comprehensive concept for future configurators was developed jointly. Using KiM’s CADClick® software technology, the Häfele configurator “DressCode” was successfully implemented. This step was necessary due to the increasing global requirements within the Häfele Group and the resulting diverse market needs.
The new generation of the product configurator improves and optimizes the implementation of customer requirements in the areas of design and usability, functionality, interfaces and supplier connection. In terms of design and usability, the focus is on simple and fast operation. In order to guarantee the best possible usability for the user, wireframes and interactive mockups were created, which were analyzed and validated in several tests with the help of the target group.
Users are guided through the configurator in just a few steps. Additionally, the result is displayed live in a 3D stage that is used interactively for configuration. To facilitate configuring for users, all product-relevant details are automatically integrated into the process, excluding errors and enabling end customers to configure without product detail knowledge.
With the “Share” and “Save” functions, planned configurations can be sent by end customers to carpenter customers. The recipient can open the configuration, modify it, and order it in the Häfele webshop.
The configurator was designed and technically integrated by KiM to be usable on both stationary and mobile devices. This allows secure planning directly at the customer’s site. Via a login in the Häfele webshop, prices and availability of the items are displayed. Ideally, the Häfele customer completes the sale within an hour—from measurement to planning, visualization, and pricing — and orders the required parts directly in the shop.
To visualize the planned products, the configured furniture can be displayed directly in the real installation space via the CADClick® Augmented Reality interface. The space is measured using the camera in the app, and the furniture is inserted into the space in the correct proportions. This works either via automatic transfer from the configurator to the app or by scanning a QR code. The end customer experiences a wow effect through the realistic visualization, significantly increasing the chances of closing the sale.
On the technical side, the CADClick® Augmented Reality interface is based on an engine that supports Apple’s ARKit on iOS and Google’s ARCore on Android natively. This allows optimal tracking performance across platforms, utilizing all hardware sensors like depth cameras and position sensors.
Compared to traditional quotation methods, Häfele customers save between 70 and 80% of planning time with this new configurator. After configuration, various outputs are provided to the logged-in user to either manufacture (wood) parts themselves or integrate the configuration into existing room plans.
The data outputs include 2D and 3D CAD data for download or viewing in all common formats. Additionally, a parts list, a cutting list with all processing dimensions for wooden parts, a configuration overview with an integrated parts list, and an exploded view of the configuration, which also serves as an assembly instruction for fitters, are available.
With this new generation of configurators using CADClick® technology, Häfele customers benefit from the following advantages:
