Germany’s largest digital marketplace for timber merchants: HolzLand relies on novomind software architecture

Introduction: HolzLand’s Unified Online Platform

Hamburg, May 31, 2023 – In line with its digitalization strategy, HolzLand GmbH, one of Europe’s largest associations of timber wholesalers and retailers, now offers a unified online platform for both B2B and B2C commerce. Powered by the software architecture provided by novomind AG, a longstanding technology partner, HolzLand has expanded its existing B2C online marketplace, www.holzland.de, to include the HolzLand B2B marketplace, creating the largest digital marketplace for timber merchants in Germany. With over 450 locations encompassing various types and sizes of timber wholesalers and retailers, HolzLand’s network caters to professional customers as well as end consumers.

Benefits of the Central Platform for B2B and B2C Commerce

Christian Haltermann, Head of HolzLand’s Digital Services Department, highlights the benefits of the new central platform, stating, “The migration of the B2B marketplace onto our existing B2C platform has optimized usability for our members and B2B customers, enabling fast data imports and updates across all e-commerce channels. Moreover, throughout the implementation process, novomind has provided expert advice and tailored solutions, as they have done for the past ten years with their modular iPIM solution, our central product information management system for all sales channels. This solution is well-suited for organizations and associations dealing with complex product and customer information.”

The Foundation: novomind iSHOP System

The novomind iSHOP system forms the foundation of HolzLand’s centralized online platform, offering different back-end settings for various customer groups. In addition, this simplifies trading among HolzLand members and enhances sales to end customers. Consumers shopping online can now view product availability at respective locations, thanks to the real-time transmission of customer-specific prices, availabilities, and stocks facilitated by the price stock service (PSS) embedded in novomind’s shop system. Christian Haltermann is particularly pleased that “the new interface enables us to import merchant files with daily updated information on prices and stocks ten times faster than before.” novomind seamlessly migrated all functionalities of the previously separate back-end system for members to the joint central platform, including the master data of HolzLand merchants, which members can now manage themselves.

HolzLand’s Marketplace for Merchants

HolzLand’s marketplace for merchants offers its members the unique advantage of an e-commerce platform that enables them to serve end customers through their respective merchant shops. The joint central platform caters to both B2C and B2B business and lays the technical foundation for setting up additional B2B merchant shops, specifically targeting professional customers such as trade businesses. HolzLand members gain access to the back-end system of their B2B merchant shop, allowing them to set individual prices for professional customers or import them directly via an automated interface.

The Importance of Powerful and Flexible Systems

Markus Rohmeyer, CPO – Product Management at novomind, emphasizes the importance of powerful and flexible systems for the digitalization of associations and their members. He states, “Our ambition is to develop the best possible solutions for each case, including adapting our software products and services for digital commerce and customer service to meet our customers’ needs. We value our longstanding and trusting cooperation with HolzLand and look forward to future joint projects.”

About HolzLand

HolzLand is a European cooperation that focuses on timber. With a centrally regulated gross sales volume of approximately €1.151 billion, it stands as one of the largest associations in Germany and the DACH region. HolzLand unites timber wholesalers and retailers under a single roof, supporting them with future-proof services in purchasing, digitalization, process consulting, product range development, and marketing. The central HolzLand marketplace, www.holzland.de, serves as the largest platform for timber merchants in Germany.

About novomind

novomind AG develops tailored software solutions for digital commerce and customer service across the world. The highest level of dedication, maximum customer focus and close collaboration across all levels are at the centre of its product development and implementation. Additionally, with their many years of ex-
perience, novomind experts understand the challenges faced by their customers in their industries and markets down to the last detail. This is how novomind’s solutions always offer precisely the right fit.

An owner-managed company, novomind is one of the market-leading providers of software and ser-vices from a single source – particularly for companies in the enterprise segment. Its portfolio for modern omnichannel commerce and customer service includes the standardized yet flexible-to-use software products novomind iSHOP, novomind iPIM, novomind iMARKET and novomind iAGENT. Through these, novomind combines inventive creativity with extensive experience in the targeted use of AI. In addition, novomind customers benefit from all the advantages of its international part-ner network.

Since 2000, corporations, medium-sized companies and institutions have been relying on intelligent solutions from novomind. A team of over 600 people in the novomind Group (novomind AG: over 500) currently serves around 250 customers, including C&A, CTS Eventim, EnBW, FALKE, Deutsche Post, Hawesko, Müller Drogerie, hagebau, OTTO, Sixt and Volkswagen AG.

In addition, to novomind AG, the novomind Group includes its subsidiaries novomind MEA, novomind APAC, novomind Egypt, novomind messaging and piazza blu².