More control on customer journey with integrated commerce platform
ThiemeMeulenhoff is the market leader in educational materials for exam preparation. The existing Examenbundel website has been quickly and smoothly transformed into a D2C ordering site using Propeller’s headless and API-first commerce platform.
B2B Commerce
The Challenge
Visitors to the Examenbundel website – owned by educational publisher ThiemeMeulenhoff – could previously only find information on the site.
You could only place orders on partner websites. As a result, ThiemeMeulenhoff had no control over the entire customer journey, because data on the last part of the purchase process in particular was missing.
Research among users off the site – especially students in the final exam year and their parents/guardians – also showed that they did expect to be able to order directly from Examenbundel.nl.
To this end, ThiemeMeulenhoff decided to set up a direct sales channel in addition to the indirect channel.
The approach
From mid-March 2022, customers can also order exam bundles directly on www.examenbundel.nl. A web shop has been added to the existing website, developed by Oberon, using innovative architecture. With Propeller’s APIs, Oberon was able to easily add the functionality to the technical infrastructure. We used the following tools and technologies:
The headless CMS Contentful as a data source connects seamlessly to Propeller’s Headless platform, without disruption or changes to the existing site
On the front-end of the site (developed with VUE framework Nuxt), Propeller’s commerce functionalities are easily added with VUE Storefront and VUE SF plug-in
GraphQL API’s
Propeller uses GraphQL APIs instead of REST APIs. This not only ensures faster implementation, but also the retrieval of data from the back-end runs more smoothly. Developers can compose requests to retrieve data from Propeller in a single API call. In addition, GraphQL API administrators can add or remove fields without affecting existing queries.
I like working with Contentful because it is stable and intuitive. With Propeller I can continue to work with this CMS, even if I want to show products and prices in any desired place on the website.
Sjanne de Haan, Product Owner at Examenbundel.nl
Why Propeller
Propeller fits with the headless commerce concept in the IT vision of ThiemeMeulenhoff and thus Examenbundel.nl. In addition, the educational publisher has previously worked successfully with Propeller in setting up a B2B ordering platform for schools.
The advantages of Propeller at a glance
Due to the headless commerce architecture, you disconnect the front-end from the back-end, so that there is maximum freedom of choice. Choose your favorite CMS (Contentful in this case) and all desired sales channels
Propeller technology offers maximum flexibility and is future proof
Maintaining powerful B2B functionalities, such as Self-service Portals, Sales Portal and modules such as Pricing
Easy integration between the commerce platform and core systems, such as ERP and CRM, but also externally with the systems of logistics service provider Centraal Boekhuis (CB) using GraphQL APIs
The collaboration
Oberon was involved in the preliminary research, concept, UX and visual design for this project. In addition, the implementation partner advised on a technical level. Propeller not only provided the platform, the VUE SF plugin and GraphQL APIs, but also actively contributed to a seamless integration.
The result
Now that customers can order directly on the Examenbundel website, ThiemeMeulenhoff has more control over the customer journey. The new D2C channel offers the publisher the following benefits.
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