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 design to realization and market launch, an overall concept for future configurators was jointly developed. Using KiM’s CADClick® software technology, the Häfele configurator “DressCode” successfully implemented. This step became necessary for the company due to the increasing global requirements within the Häfele Group and the resulting different market demands.
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.
The user is guided through the configurator in just a few steps. The result is also displayed live in a 3D stage, which is used interactively for configuration. To make configuration easier for users, all product-relevant details are automatically included in the process. This eliminates errors and allows the end customer to configure without detailed product knowledge.
The “Share” and “Save” functions can be used to send planned configurations from end customers to joinery customers. The recipient opens the configuration, is able to change it and order it in the Häfele webshop.
The 3D product configurator was designed and technically embedded by KiM (now part of the parent company 4PACE) in such a way that it can be used on both stationary and mobile devices. This enables secure planning directly at the customer’s premises. Prices and availability of items are displayed via a login in the Häfele webshop. 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 room via the CADClick® augmented reality interface. The room is measured using a camera in the app and the furniture is inserted into the room in the correct proportions. This works by means of automatic transfer from the configurator to the app or by scanning a QR code. The end customer experiences a wow effect thanks to the realistic visualization, which increases the chances of closing the sale immensely.
On the technical side, the CADClick® augmented reality interface relies on an engine that can map the native support of Apple’s ARKit on iOS and Google’s ARCore on Android. This enables optimal tracking performance regardless of the platform, including all hardware sensors such as depth cameras, position sensors, etc.
Compared to conventional quotation processes, Häfele customers save between 70 and 80% planning time with this new configurator. Once the configuration has been completed, the logged-in user is provided with various outputs so that they can either produce (wooden) parts themselves or incorporate the configuration into existing room plans.
The data outputs include 2D and 3D CAD data for download or display in all common formats. In addition, a parts list of the individual parts, a cutting list with all machining dimensions for wooden parts, a configuration overview with integrated parts list and an exploded view of the configuration, which also serves as assembly instructions for fitters, are available.
With this new generation of configurators using CADClick® technology, Häfele customers benefit from the following advantages:
