Overview of Web Catalog with Advanced Part Finder Tools
In early 2024, Gabriel Marketing faced unexpected hurdles while planning to launch a new, modern website. The biggest challenge? Their essential website part finder tool was no longer available, and their chosen website developer did not offer a desirable alternative. With time running out and a critical function missing, Gabriel needed a fast, effective solution.
The Challenge
Gabriel had initially planned to launch a new website with a different vendor in 2024. However, two significant problems quickly surfaced:
1. Loss of Part Finder Tool: The part finder, a core function of their website, was quoted with another vendor in December 2023. By January 2024, it was no longer available. Their newly selected website developer also lacked a viable alternative, leaving Gabriel without a critical feature.
2. Urgency to Launch a New Website: The need to replace their existing site became more urgent due to multiple reasons. Their previous developer estimated a best-case scenario of four months for website completion—far too long considering the circumstances.
Adding to the complexity, Gabriel’s product catalog spans Class 1 through 8 vehicles, covering everything from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. Many vendors struggled to provide a solution that could manage both ACES data for automotive applications and custom databases for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Most part finders could only handle one or the other—not both.
The APA Engineering Solution
In late January, Gabriel was introduced to APA Engineering. After an initial discussion about catalog data and part lookup functionality, follow-up meetings quickly confirmed that APA could offer a centralized part lookup solution that met Gabriel’s needs.
APA’s Approach Included
⮞ Delivering a comprehensive part finder that could handle both ACES and custom database formats.
⮞ Accelerating the website launch timeline to an unheard-of two months (compared to the four-month estimate from their previous vendor).
⮞ Providing full collaboration and support from Gabriel’s marketing team to ensure a smooth implementation.
Before making a final decision, Gabriel gave their original website vendor a last chance to propose a competitive part lookup solution. However, after thorough vetting, the proposed solutions were found lacking in functionality and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation and Results
Gabriel swiftly selected a new website layout, and once brand standards and content were in place, APA began working behind the scenes. The implementation process included:
⮞ Design and Development: APA worked closely with Gabriel’s catalog data manager to structure and display part information effectively.
⮞ Ensuring Accuracy and Usability: The Gabriel team rigorously vetted website previews with technical support and internal teams to guarantee optimal results before launch.
⮞ Speed and Efficiency: Despite the challenges, Gabriel successfully launched their brand-new website—including a fully functional part lookup—within just two months. This represented a 50% time savings over their original best-case scenario!
The new site is not only fully functional but also secured with all necessary certifications, future security upgrades scheduled, and multiple goals achieved within a compressed timeline.
Looking Ahead
Gabriel Marketing considers APA Engineering not just a vendor but a long-term partner. Their ability to deliver tailored solutions under tight deadlines has made them a trusted resource for future projects.
Would Gabriel work with APA again? Absolutely! Gabriel highly recommends APA Engineering to any company seeking high-quality, reliable website solutions.
Need a cutting-edge website solution tailored to your needs?