Strix

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Director of Marketing & E-commerce in Lancerto. Lancerto is a premium men's fashion brand that has been on the market since 2008. The company offers formal and smart casual clothing (suits, jackets, trousers), and also specializes in tailor-made clothing, taking into account the dimensions of individual customers (made-to-measure system). The brand has a nationwide sales network with locations in shopping malls of the largest Polish cities (46 stores).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Strix?

We hired Strix to refresh the design of the website and improve the efficiency of the service by implementing Magento 2. Also, in our business, providing our customers with the best possible comfort and convenience when shopping is crucial. That is why we were also looking for a solution that allows our users to intelligently adjust the size of clothes when they're shopping online.

What were your goals for this project?

Firstly, refreshing the store’s website layout to make it more modern and user-friendly. Secondly, improving the customer experience by simplifying the checkout process.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Strix is one of the best companies providing e-commerce solutions in Poland. We have heard a lot of good things about it, so after presenting the offer we decided to start cooperation.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Strix' team of experts managed to move the store from Magento 1 to Magento 2 within 4 months. Strix has combined the native Magento shopping card function with a dedicated checkout solution. From now on, the user can verify the order faster and more conveniently. Until now, customers have used size tables in the form of a PDF opened in a separate card. To improve the selection of the right size, Strix has prepared its own mechanism "Size tables". It allows creating tables that are functional for the user, easy to complete (filters) and contain a practical guide on how to measure yourself. Strix has implemented a Fit Finder tool for us, making it easier for customers to find the right size. Also, they made bilateral integration with the ERP system – the shop sends information on status changes to the ERP system and receives data about products, inventory, statuses, showrooms from it.

What was the team composition?

The project team included two backend developers, two frontend developers, tester and project manager. We had daily contact with our project manager, who gave us update about the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

This multi-stage process has resulted in new functionalities in the online store, more efficient operation of the site and better shopping experience for the users. After the implementation of the new version of Magento, the store achieved 47% faster page loading and an increase in the number of transactions by 14%.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We worked with a project manager (Barbara Caban, Strix) dedicated only to our project. Barbara is an experienced project manager who kept her hand on the pulse, kept us informed about the changes introduced, the progress of work and was in constant contact with us by phone and e-mail. We could always count on her professional help.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Strix's team is open to new ideas, creative and not afraid to take on challenges. The project was already difficult at the start, such as migrating in 4 months or creating new functionality from scratch.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We are satisfied with Strix’ work, there is nothing to improve. We continue our cooperation.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the web development manager at Castorama Sp. z o.o. We’re one of the bigger players in the Polish DIY market, both online and offline.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strix?

Strix was hired to develop a custom Magento website for our business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strix developed our Magento 1 website from scratch. Since it revolves around 78 physical stores, it’s a bit complicated. Customers can look for the nearest store, check the availability, and look into the pricing. While the transactions happen in-person, they’re reflected digitally on the website.

The first functionalities added were “click and collect” and “click and deliver” for the customers. Right now, we have multiple delivery options using our own transport fleet.

What is the team composition?

The team has varied based on what requirements we had. We’ve had team members work on development and maintenance. At the moment, we’re employing around 16 people. We have three project managers.

How did you come to work with Strix?

We found a couple of options for Magento developers when searching the Polish market. One of them was one of our competitors, which we didn’t choose as a matter of company policy. In the beginning, Strix gave us a great price and had the skills for what we wanted in a website build.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Strix 3–4 years ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our ongoing collaboration is a sign of a great relationship. We’ve doubled the financial value of our transactions year to year, every year. Next year, we plan on upgrading from Magento 1 to 2, which will be a complicated task.

How did Strix perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m delighted with Strix. It’s important to work with people who understand business aspects.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Strix knows exactly what we want and how our business works. They’re not just looking for money; they’re the type of company that seeks to help the client and solve their problems. Their team can find useful business solutions while tackling large, complicated projects.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not at the moment.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

If the project is described accurately, the team at Strix will find a solution to build a competitive and innovative website or e-commerce platform.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a designer and the CEO of my own jewelry company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strix?

I wanted a big website that would wow my customers. I basically gave Strix two tasks—first, to design the visual identity of my brand, and second, to develop a modern online store in both Polish and English.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I explained to them what I wanted the brand to be like, and we brainstormed together. They showed me examples of other jewelers from Poland and the UK to give us a few ideas. We decided to work with a graphic designer who created a concept design. Then we hosted a photoshoot to create images that would look good in a fashion and convey the brand’s image.

Once we narrowed down how we wanted the brand to look, they created storyboards for the website. We met several times, and they presented 3-4 layout options for me to choose from.  They then developed the site using Magento. Finally, they provided training because my team and I weren’t familiar with the technology.

What is the team composition?

Borys (CEO, Strix) was my main point of contact, but there were three people, including a technical person, always on call. A few more people may have also worked on the project when we got close to launching the site, but I didn’t work with them directly.

How did you come to work with Strix?

I met Borys a long time ago at the Swedish Institute of Management, and I just thought he was brilliant. His team is very original, and they’re the kind of people I want to work with.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent about $40,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2015- 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Shortly after the site’s launch, the website won best little online shop from the Chamber of Commerce. We were also nominated for another award because of how well the site functions. Years later, I still use the same website because it has been so successful and I still receive compliments on the design. I’ve only made a few small changes like adding a comma or space somewhere.

How did Strix perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re so nice to work with. It’s clear that the staff is comfortable with their boss because they freely share ideas. They also looked for ways to save me money, which I really appreciated. Whenever I had a question, they came up with several solutions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They treated my business like it was theirs. Meaning, I could ask their opinion and trusted that they would provide me with the best option. While they respected my ideas, they brought enough expertise to the table that they could combine our ideas to present the best solution.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Maybe their timeliness, even though it never interfered with my project. Their team has grown significantly since I worked with them though, so I think they’re capable of managing more clients now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as open as you can, don’t force your opinions, ask questions, and ask for advice.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are part of Inter Cars S.A., a leading Central and Eastern European B2B company. We import and distribute spare auto parts for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Our product range includes garage equipment, including tools for servicing, repairing, and maintaining cars as well as motorcycle spare and tuning parts. 

I’M Inter Motors is the B2C brand of Inter Cars S.A. I'm the e-commerce and marketing director of the motorcycle division there. We have 40 retail stores and a website that sell motorcycles clothes, accessories, spare parts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strix?

We hired them to develop a new e-commerce platform that would fulfill the requirements of omnichannel direction. We'd had an existing e-commerce site for five years, but we decided to change things as we took on more B2C transactions. The new platform needed to be more agile and ready for fast scaling to enter other markets and sales channels.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built an omnichannel platform on Magento 2 Enterprise Edition (EE). The team started with an MVP, after a few months they moved into the development of the core application to work out of Poland. In the following three months, they built cross-border versions to include three additional countries and create a marketplace. They developed this website from scratch and supported us as we rebranded in 2018.

They created an importer to batch and feed the information from our ERP and other services to Magento 2 because there wasn't a direct connection between the sources.  

We integrated external partners like YourCX, Centuria, SMS API, SALESmanago, Feedlink, Claudinary, Carriers, PayPro(Przelewy 24), Allegro, and more. Strix has skilled frontend development, so they helped us build banners and all the visual aspects of the brand. That were used as well in retail communication.  

We have extended versions of the retail stores on the website. Users can look at our stores, find out who is working at each location, and view store maps and reviews. The website caters to motorcyclists, and there are product breakdowns for each style of driver. We also have specialty versions of customer accounts, and a variety of clients have options for invoices, store preferences, and tailored newsletters.

What is the team composition? 

A project manager acted as our direct contact. There were also two backend developers, two frontend developers, and one tester. During the foundational stages of the project, we worked with an engaged strategic director and a system architect.

How did you come to work with Strix?

There are five good Magento technology companies in Poland, and we sent briefs to each. Strix's price was 5%-8% higher than the other companies. They had previous experience in complex omnichannel projects on Magento, and they had a few motorcyclists on their team as well. They already had a plan when we met for the first time. Compared to other vendors, they were concrete.

How much have you invested with them?

The first 13-month development phase cost about $400,000 USD.

What is the status of this engagement?

We spoke with them during the last quarter of 2017 and signed a contract in December 2017 for 13 months. We agreed to have an MVP of the website before March 1, 2018—for the start of the motorcycle season. The platform needed to show and sell our full range of products through a nice design. Before the end of the year, we'd add other custom features for the core application's development. We planned on implementing an extended customer account, loyalty program, custom product page, check out functionalities, internal search for tires and parts, extended “my store page”, integration with the marketplace, and more. After finishing the core application website in Q1 2019, the product will open for cross border and another marketplace.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The MVP was delivered on time. Our new platform tripled our 2017 product turnover rates in 2018, and we expect to double 2018's metrics by the end of 2019. Our mutual transmission on retail business has grown 30% compared to the previous year.

During the 2018 E-commerce Awards by the Poland E-commerce Chamber, our platform took home first in the Best in Omnichannel category and second in the Best Design and Usability category.

How did Strix perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very professional in guiding the project and providing clear feedback. We cooperated through two-week sprints, and the collaboration was a real partnership. We found ways to work together that were mutually beneficial. They were willing to work over weekends, and the website was really successful. We used Jira and Confluence to manage the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a positive attitude and always find a solution. Their experience in the automotive industry set them apart. They also have contacts in the other countries' markets we hope to break into in the future. Their biggest advantages were in their straightforward approach and reliability. Their suggestions were much stronger than any other company we considered, and they were always realistic and responsible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their offices are about 500 kilometers from ours, but it would be nice to have more in-person contact with them. Everything else was top-level.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Speak with their Borys (CEO, Strix). He will help you find a tailored solution and give you a clear answer.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of TOUS Polska. Founded in 1920, TOUS is a luxury lifestyle brand offering high-quality jewelry, handbags, and accessories within 54 boutiques located in Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. In early 2015, we decided to go with Magento Open-Source to start our e-commerce journey.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strix?

We were having issues with our Magento 2 website. We hired Strix to migrate our site to a Magento 2.3 version and develop a new frontend.

At that point, we'd worked with Magento 2.0 for two years. Along with the development of our e-commerce platforms, our expectations began to increase. We realized that we needed more advanced solutions, particularly for user experience and stock management.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strix built our website on Magento 2.3 and implemented a fully operational MSI Solution. We were one of the first in the world to use the technology. At the same time, they developed a new frontend for the platform. They chose a template for our shop and customized it to meet our preferences and e-commerce standards.

What is the team composition?

Our initial contact was the CEO, but we now work with a dedicated project manager.

How did you come to work with Strix?

Strix is a highly popular agency in Poland, so I had known of them before. I chose them because of their Magento expertise and they were a smart partner for us.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2018 and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

All of the issues we were having with our site were solved with the support of Strix. Our customers can place orders without a problem and our sales have improved. Additionally, our site is very modern and we’re thrilled with it.

How did Strix perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication between our teams is strong. We talk over phone, email, and occasionally in person. They deliver everything we ask for under deadline and answer our questions quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve been a great choice for my business—they’re flexible and open to change. When we have issues, they quickly react and find solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they could do better for us.