Hydraulic Technologies eComm

When Hydraulic Technologies—an industry leader in hydraulic products and solutions—faced the imminent sunset of their existing eCommerce platform, they needed a robust replacement to handle the complexities of global B2B wholesale. ATAK Interactive stepped in to develop a customized solution that streamlined product discovery, simplified ordering, and catered to varied regional pricing and shipping demands. This case study explores how we helped Hydraulic Technologies seamlessly transition to a new eCommerce cart, boosting efficiency and enhancing their customers’ buying experience.

Background
Hydraulic Technologies has built a reputation for delivering high-performance parts and components, specializing in advanced hydraulic systems for a wide range of industries. Their global clientele ranges from local distributors to multinational corporations—each with unique pricing, shipping, and ordering needs.

Unfortunately, their previous eCommerce platform was scheduled for decommission, putting mission-critical sales operations at risk.
With a massive product catalog, intricate pricing rules, and international shipping requirements, Hydraulic Technologies needed an adaptable, feature-rich site. The platform had to offer user-friendly filters, flexible billing and shipping configurations, and advanced permission structures for corporate customers. Enter ATAK Interactive, ready to design and develop a custom B2B eCommerce solution from the ground up.

Key Challenges

• Platform Sunset: The existing eCommerce platform was being retired, leaving Hydraulic Technologies with limited functionality and no path for future growth.
  
  
• Complex Global Pricing: Hydraulic Technologies operates in over 25 regions, each with pricing tiers and discount structures.
  
  
• Extensive Product Catalog: Their wide array of products demanded a sophisticated filtering system for quick and accurate searches.
  
  
• Bulk and Repeat Orders: Many customers reorder the same SKUs and require easy ways to replicate past purchases—something the old platform lacked.
  
  
• Regional Shipping Rules: International customers faced shipping costs and regulations that varied significantly by location.
  
  
• User Hierarchy: Corporate buyers required multiple permission levels to manage approvals and purchasing limits across different departments.

Custom Design & Enhanced UX
To ensure customers could find and compare hydraulic parts effortlessly, we developed a brand-aligned, intuitive design that made product specs, images, and details clear and accessible. The user interface prioritizes smooth navigation and fast load times, both critical for B2B transactions.

Advanced Product Filtering
Rather than forcing shoppers to scroll through extensive product lists, we created a highly customizable filter system. Users can refine their searches based on brand, product line, family, series, model, and even eco-friendly status. This functionality quickly narrows down results, saving time for both new and repeat buyers.

Flexible Global Pricing
With more than 25 distinct pricing groups worldwide, the new platform needed a way to set custom pricing for each region or contract. We implemented a robust pricing engine that applies the correct price tier for every customer, ensuring consistent margins and accurate quotes regardless of geographic location.

Quick Order & Reorder Tools
Time is money in the B2B world, so we introduced a quick order feature that allows users to enter SKUs directly into a single form for speedy checkout. We also built a reorder tool that references previous purchases, allowing frequent buyers to restock with just a few clicks.

Saved Shopping Lists
Distributors and corporate clients who place the same orders frequently can save entire shopping lists for recurring use. This solution eliminates repetitive searches and streamlines the purchasing process.

Excel SKU Upload
For larger corporate buyers handling hundreds—or even thousands—of SKUs at once, we added an Excel upload capability. This lets customers generate orders by simply uploading a spreadsheet, reducing manual entry and minimizing the risk of errors.

Region-Specific Shipping
Shipping costs and regulations can vary widely from one country to another, so our team built a custom shipping rules system that automatically calculates the right shipping options based on each user’s location. This ensures buyers see accurate, upfront costs and timelines.

User Hierarchy & Permissions
Our multi-tier account structure allows administrators to define different permission levels for their internal teams. Buyers, managers, and accountants can each have tailored access, promoting oversight and efficiency in large organizations.

1. Streamlined Buying Experience
The combination of advanced filters, quick order forms, and saved shopping lists dramatically reduces the time it takes to search for products and finalize orders.

2. Reduced Order Errors
Bulk purchasers benefit from streamlined ordering tools, including Excel imports and reorder features, which minimize manual input and cut down on mistakes.

3. Scalable Global Operations
By incorporating flexible pricing rules and region-specific shipping, the new platform is prepared to handle Hydraulic Technologies’ future expansion into new markets.

4. Greater Efficiency & Control
User-based permissions allow corporate clients to manage spending limits and order approvals seamlessly, improving department transparency.

In the competitive world of B2B eCommerce, off-the-shelf platforms rarely keep pace with the demands of a complex, global wholesale operation. By partnering with ATAK Interactive, Hydraulic Technologies successfully migrated to a custom B2B eCommerce solution designed for scalability, accuracy, and streamlined ordering. This transformation not only preserves day-to-day operations but also sets the stage for continued growth across multiple regions and industries.

If your organization is grappling with a retiring platform or simply needs a more powerful solution for complex ordering, ATAK Interactive can help. Explore our work or contact us to learn how we can tailor a platform that meets your unique B2B eCommerce needs.