Introduction
Paper-based ordering systems can be inefficient and error-prone, and it might not always be obvious what role the cloud can play in modernizing your set-up as a manufacturer. Our involvement with Fogia, a Swedish furniture company, began with addressing these issues and demonstrating how serverless development can form the core of an effective cloud-based ordering system.
About Fogia AB
Fogia is a Scandinavian furniture company with a focus on simplicity, functionality, and quality. They design and manufacture furniture for the home, office, and public spaces.
The Challenge
One of the first and most obvious aspects of the requirements at Fogia was to do something about their existing, paper-based ordering system. Traditional systems using physical documents have several well-known drawbacks, from incorrectly entered customer information and product codes to order problems that can take time to be communicated back to the consumer.
The physical documents involved were also sent manually to the factory and there was no centralised storage facility for them, slowing down the manufacturing process and hindering document identification and retrieval.
Another clear requirement was to create an admin interface for creating orders and to provide effective, visual representation of product options for customers. In a similar way, there was also an obvious need to establish an online presence that would help Fogia expand beyond the existing network of traditional retail outlets and distributors.
The Solution
A central feature of the solution was the establishment of a serverless environment using AWS services. There are many benefits to using this type of technology, such as faster deployment times and lower costs. Additionally, serverless environments can be more secure because there is no need to worry about vulnerabilities in the underlying infrastructure.
Amazon S3, AWS Lambda & AWS CloudFront form the core of the technology for various reasons. Amazon S3 is a reliable, secure, and affordable storage solution, while AWS CloudFront ensures that it integrates with other Amazon Web Services products to distribute content to end users around the world in the most efficient way possible. Meanwhile, the serverless environment relies heavily on AWS Lambda, which takes care of everything required to run and scale it, including provisioning capacity, monitoring resources, and restarting of functions.
Another important part of the solution was the integration with Salesforce as the CRM and main data source for client and product information, including steps triggered by Salesforce events for a semi-automated sales flow. Salesforce was also implemented to allow synchronization with Fortnox for payments and invoice management.
Solution Summary
- Serverless environment
- Amazon S3, Lambda & CloudFront form the core of the technology
- Salesforce as CRM and main data source
- Step functions triggered by Salesforce events for a semi-automated sales flow
- Synchronization between Salesforce and Fortnox for payments and invoices
Architecture diagram
Fogia Architecture Diagram
Results and Benefits
Experience suggests that businesses with better quotation, order and customer management see a significant increase in profits. The solution designed for Fogia aims to improve these areas by using visual representations of available options, which helps customers understand the products and services on offer, as well as making it easier for them to place orders. The solution also helps with keeping track of inventory and customer information.
Additionally, the solution resulted in increased order accuracy and reduced order time, which both lead to several benefits for the business. Most obviously they help improve customer satisfaction, as customers receive their purchases faster and are less likely to receive incorrect orders. However, both aspects also help improve efficiency and productivity, as employees spend less time correcting errors. Furthermore, they can also reduce costs, as less inventory is required, and fewer mistakes lead to less waste and fewer returns.
Similar benefits in efficiency and productivity are also encouraged by the automated processes for payments and issuing purchases orders, invoices, and receipts, along with the creation of a centralized storage place for all documents. Customers can now order customised furniture online, resulting in a drastic improvement in user experience and convenience for them, whilst also significantly expanding the accessibility and geographical reach of the business.
Summary of benefits
- Increased order accuracy
- Less time needed for placing an order
- Better quotation, order, and customer management with visual representation of options
- Automated processes for payments and issuing documents
- Centralized storage place for all invoices and documents
- Swedish customers can now order customised furniture online
About PCG
Public Cloud Group (PCG) supports companies in their digital transformation through the use of public cloud solutions.
With a product portfolio designed to accompany organisations of all sizes in their cloud journey and competence that is a synonym for highly qualified staff that clients and partners like to work with, PCG is positioned as a reliable and trustworthy partner for the hyperscalers, relevant and with repeatedly validated competence and credibility.
We have the highest partnership status with the three relevant hyperscalers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft. As experienced providers, we advise our customers independently with cloud implementation, application development, and managed services.