Clipsal prides itself on being the most advanced and skilled in the Australian electrical industry, providing the market with the most technologically-advanced electrical solutions.
The much used paper-based guide was as good as it could get in print form, but Clipsal wanted to harness tablet and smartphone technology to benefit tradespeople using their products. They then commissioned us to make an iPhone and iPad version of their Trade Product Guide.
It was not simply an exercise of jamming over 450 pages’ worth of information into a mobile app. It was about creating the best of its kind as well.
During the exploration phase, we worked closely with Australia’s largest brand in electrical accessories to identify the needs of the “busy tradesman.”
This group of people wanted a product catalogue that was not too bulky and could help them easily find information. Later on, this could also serve as a sales tool as tradespeople tended to show images of Clipsal products to their customers on the go.
At the same time, we also analysed Clipsal’s interactions with tradespeople to identify how their product distribution could be streamlined.
We worked on three versions of iCat (released in 2011 and 2013) with various updates along the way.
Enabled individually designed iPad, iPhone and Android versions making the most of what each platform can offer in layout and function. The app is also fully accessible without web access - handy for regional or basement work. At the same time, Clipsal is able to update the app with new product information, and tradespeople can download this update when convenient.
www.clipsal.com/icat
Enabled transformed Clipsal’s paper-based product catalogue into a portable, intuitive, and completely searchable mobile app. But it was not just the sleek design, iCat made the job of tradespeople – one of Clipsal’s most important distribution channels – much easier.
Users can tap and scroll through the user-friendly interface instead of flicking through hundreds of pages. They can also bookmark frequently used products, create job product lists to be referred to at any time, and easily send these lists to suppliers or clients (no more writing down product codes).
For the 2013 release, the opportunity was taken to rebuild the app from the ground up, re-inventing it from a catalogue app and transforming it into a true platform.
Enabled transformed Clipsal’s paper-based product catalogue into a portable, intuitive, and completely searchable mobile app. But it was not just the sleek design, iCat made the job of tradespeople – one of Clipsal’s most important distribution channels – much easier.
Users can tap and scroll through the user-friendly interface instead of flicking through hundreds of pages. They can also bookmark frequently used products, create job product lists to be referred to at any time, and easily send these lists to suppliers or clients (no more writing down product codes).
For the 2013 release, the opportunity was taken to rebuild the app from the ground up, re-inventing it from a catalogue app and transforming it into a true platform.
“The work they do for us in particular iCat has been the most well received software development and launches we've experienced.”
ANTHONY LOCKE
eCommerce Business Manager,
Clipsal by Schneider Electric
The positive response from the trade community reflected the true worth of iCat. If tradespeople can learn about, order and get support for Clipsal’s products at any time, why would they go anywhere else? That means end-user’s delight has translated into increased sales for Clipsal.
