Henri Petitet, Regional Director, Asia-PacificThis adage by Scott M. Graffius, a multi-award winning author, project management practitioner, and international speaker aptly resonates with the eCommerce industry. In a world of continual technological disruption and market turbulence, business transformation today revolves around the need to generate new value—to unlock new market opportunities, drive growth, and deliver efficiently. Businesses need to transform completely to become more responsive, agile, and competitive. Corroborating the idea of Scott M. Graffius is a global business transformation agency Valtech, delivering innovation with a purpose.
Valtech has been working in the trenches of digital innovation for more than two decades now, and they have made it their mission to escort companies through this era of digital transformation. ‘Transform by doing’ continues to be the aim of this eCommerce solution provider. “We enable clients to anticipate tomorrow's trends and connect directly with consumers across their digital touchpoints while optimizing time-to-market and ROI. We do that with our ideology—transform by doing,” remarks Henri Petitet, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific at Valtech.
Valtech engages with multiple service offerings and orchestrates them through ecosystems using ‘transform by doing’.
The company’s business transformation services include CX strategy, Digital Experience and Commerce platforms, Connected Experiences, Marketing Services, Transformation consulting and Data Transformation.
In addition, innovation drives Valtech to constantly look out for what’s next. This is consistent with the firms' commitment to the MACH (Microservices, API-first, Cloud, Headless) Alliance and the development of Future Studio—built with an aim of tackling complex problems and creating a better future via thought leadership, ideation, and experimentation. The first Future Studio initiative launched by the enterprise brings the brightest minds to innovate, ideate, and experiment on what future innovations could be like in the sphere of B2B and B2C in retail and luxury.
Valtech was a part of the founding members of the MACH Alliance—a group created to demonstrate how a shift to microservices, headless, and cloud-based technologies will not only keep brands in business but also generate new opportunities and revenue streams during one of the most disruptive periods in human history. This Composable approach puts flexibility, agility, and the pursuit of better business outcomes at the forefront of technical solutions.
As a global company focused on business transformation, the effectiveness of Valtech’s commerce offering can be seen in their work with MAC Cosmetics. Working extensively with the Valtech connected experience team, both MAC and Valtech sought to reimagine the retail experience, shifting away from the traditional physical store functions of inventory and transactions to a richer digital experience that encourages learning, loyalty and a seamless omnichannel journey – in store or at home. The connected experience begins with the customer checking in to the new Concept Store in Queens, New York via MAC Pass by scanning a personal QR code at one of the stations. This then creates an engagement profile (Mac Pass Studio) which collects information about consumers’ favorite products and saves the information for the customer to easily access later. The eventual goal is to build out a full consumer profile by connecting any offline engagement with online engagement. This huge engagement story, referenced by Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft in a recent Keynote speech, is among many others scripted by Valtech.
Hence, with innovation at its core, Valtech is pushing boundaries when it comes to transforming businesses. The organization plays a key role in engaging with clients who work with them; knowing that they can help them to shape the future.
In addition, innovation drives Valtech to constantly look out for what’s next. This is consistent with the firms' commitment to the MACH (Microservices, API-first, Cloud, Headless) Alliance and the development of Future Studio—built with an aim of tackling complex problems and creating a better future via thought leadership, ideation, and experimentation. The first Future Studio initiative launched by the enterprise brings the brightest minds to innovate, ideate, and experiment on what future innovations could be like in the sphere of B2B and B2C in retail and luxury.
Valtech was a part of the founding members of the MACH Alliance—a group created to demonstrate how a shift to microservices, headless, and cloud-based technologies will not only keep brands in business but also generate new opportunities and revenue streams during one of the most disruptive periods in human history. This Composable approach puts flexibility, agility, and the pursuit of better business outcomes at the forefront of technical solutions.
We enable clients to anticipate tomorrow's trends and connect directly with consumers across their digital touch points while optimizing time-to-market and ROI and we do that by our term -- transform by doing
As a global company focused on business transformation, the effectiveness of Valtech’s commerce offering can be seen in their work with MAC Cosmetics. Working extensively with the Valtech connected experience team, both MAC and Valtech sought to reimagine the retail experience, shifting away from the traditional physical store functions of inventory and transactions to a richer digital experience that encourages learning, loyalty and a seamless omnichannel journey – in store or at home. The connected experience begins with the customer checking in to the new Concept Store in Queens, New York via MAC Pass by scanning a personal QR code at one of the stations. This then creates an engagement profile (Mac Pass Studio) which collects information about consumers’ favorite products and saves the information for the customer to easily access later. The eventual goal is to build out a full consumer profile by connecting any offline engagement with online engagement. This huge engagement story, referenced by Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft in a recent Keynote speech, is among many others scripted by Valtech.
Hence, with innovation at its core, Valtech is pushing boundaries when it comes to transforming businesses. The organization plays a key role in engaging with clients who work with them; knowing that they can help them to shape the future.
Valtech News
Valtech Appoints Suzanne Schroder as Chief Collaboration Officer to Drive Team Engagement
B2B manufacturing: The rise of the composable manufacturer 3/4
The manufacturing sector is undergoing profound changes driven by digital transformation, as companies of different maturity levels embrace composable architectures to enhance flexibility, innovation and adaptability in their operations.
In our ongoing blog series “Customer portals: The next big thing in B2B Manufacturing,” we’ve dissected the current challenges many manufacturers face as... s well as the driving forces behind the need for digitalization. This third installment will explore the concept of the composable manufacturer. What does this approach entail for manufacturers, and what are the benefits of “componentizing” challenges within your IT landscape?
When manufacturers aim to provide services through customer portals, the initial impulse often leads towards off-the-shelf software solutions. However, these solutions are typically designed for a broad audience and may not differentiate your offerings from competitors. Let’s explore why adopting a best-of-breed composable solution allows you to stand out by offering a customer portal tailored to your business processes.
Tailored solutions vs. One-size-fits-all
Many industrial manufacturers opt for commercial off-the-shelf platforms hoping for a one-size-fits-all solution. Yet, they often discover that these solutions are more limiting than universally applicable. Monolithic solutions come with broad, inflexible functionalities that can mismatch features and user experience. Alternatively, a composable architecture offers a “fit for purpose” approach, focusing on the customer and their specific needs. By integrating components that directly address operational challenges and customer requirements, composable solutions result in efficient, user-friendly customer portals that can adapt to changing market demands and preferences.
37% consider rising customer expectations a threat to their organizational success.
- The Voice of Digital Leaders in Manufacturing 2024 report
Consider the scenario of aftermarket spare -part ordering – a common task for many manufacturers. Often, they invest in large commerce platforms to digitalize this process. However, these platforms typically come loaded with an array of features, many of which are irrelevant for this specific customer journey. More importantly, they often lack robust functionalities for visualizing assets, which are crucial for identifying the correct spare parts. A fit-for-purpose solution, in contrast, would precisely cater to this need by integrating service/support features with efficient asset management and a streamlined ordering process. A user experience tailored to distinct user roles, such as a field service engineer or a procurement officer, is a pivotal offering. This “fit-for-purpose" approach, enabled by a composable architecture, ensures that the solution is not only more efficient but also more aligned with the actual needs of the users, instead of forcing the users to align to the one-size-fits-all platform.
In service, we need data and it is scattered, so why not embrace digital transformation to support the transition?
Challenges of integration with existing systems
For industrial manufacturers, integrating new technologies with existing systems is a significant challenge. The IT landscape is often scattered throughout the organization, with multiple ERP systems integrated with highly customized legacy commerce solutions. This results in tightly coupled and inflexible solutions that don't scale. Composable approaches tackle this challenge in three unique ways:
• Modularity: Composable architectures are inherently modular, allowing seamless integration with existing legacy systems without requiring extensive overhauls.
• API First: Designing and developing with an API First approach ensures that new components can easily connect to existing ecosystems, minimizing downtime and integration costs.
• Cloud-Native: Developing components as cloud-native applications enhances integration capabilities, leveraging scalability and flexibility for easier management of interconnected systems.
The data tells us that too many companies are stuck keeping the upgrade wheel turning. If you add the cost of time and business stand-still, the absolute cost is much higher.
- Casper Rasmussen, MACH Alliance President, quoted in the MACH Global Research 2023 report
Accelerating feature delivery
Traditional monolithic systems often hinder manufacturers from delivering timely updates and new features due to prolonged development lifecycles. Composable architectures enable agile, independent component development, speeding up the release process and ensuring rapid adaptation to market demands.
The table below illustrates a clear comparison of how composable architecture transforms the development process compared to monolithic systems.
Gradual data quality improvements in composable systems
The decision that I regret in retrospect is not starting with data quality first, which we missed out on in the beginning.
Many manufacturers struggle with data quality. Composable architectures excel in environments where data quality is variable. By adopting a modular approach, companies can channel high-quality data into certain components, ensuring peak system efficiency and effectiveness. As data quality improves over time, these systems can transition to automated data feeds, continuously improving capabilities without a complete transformation.
Overcoming entry barriers for going composable
There's a common misconception that composable architecture is only suitable for digitally mature companies. However, manufacturers at all digital maturity levels can benefit from a composable approach:
• Emerging/Reactive: Focus on a smaller project or proof of concept together with a strong technology partner.
o Manufacturers at this stage lack a clear digital vision and address digital needs on a case-by-case basis, often lacking in-house expertise for customization.
o Gain experience with managing a single-vendor relationship for a smaller project and build out over time.
• Optimizing/Proactive: Gradually transition to a composable architecture while optimizing digital initiatives across departments.
o Manufacturers at this stage have a clear digital strategy and optimize processes across departments, although they may still operate in silos.
o They adopt a hybrid approach, using enterprise suites for core functions and incorporating composable elements for flexible functionalities.
• Innovating/Leading: Embrace composable architectures for flexibility and innovation, leveraging in-house expertise for effective management of diverse components.
o Manufacturers at this level are industry pioneers and leaders.
o They adopt a fit-for-purpose approach, selecting suitable technologies for each function and integrating them seamlessly.
As we reach the end of our exploration into the composable manufacturing landscape, it's clear that flexibility, scalability and innovation are more than just buzzwords—they're essential components of a thriving industrial future. A composable approach proves invaluable for enhancing customer experiences with customized solutions. It allows for seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies and enables agile responses to market shifts. This strategy fosters nimble decision-making and operational adaptability previously reserved for industry pioneers.
By embracing composable solutions, manufacturers prepare to meet today's demands and pave the way for a resilient tomorrow. Keep in mind that the transition to a composable system doesn’t happen with a simple flip of a switch. It’s a journey of continuous improvement and adaptation, ultimately leading to a robust, future-proof manufacturing system.
In our final installment of this blog series, we’ll explore practical steps to implement a composable infrastructure using Valtech’s B2B customer portal accelerator GEAR, based on commercetools. Stay tuned for actionable insights to transform your knowledge into tangible results.
Interested? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about the possibilities for customer portals in industrial manufacturing.
Read more
In our ongoing blog series “Customer portals: The next big thing in B2B Manufacturing,” we’ve dissected the current challenges many manufacturers face as... s well as the driving forces behind the need for digitalization. This third installment will explore the concept of the composable manufacturer. What does this approach entail for manufacturers, and what are the benefits of “componentizing” challenges within your IT landscape?
When manufacturers aim to provide services through customer portals, the initial impulse often leads towards off-the-shelf software solutions. However, these solutions are typically designed for a broad audience and may not differentiate your offerings from competitors. Let’s explore why adopting a best-of-breed composable solution allows you to stand out by offering a customer portal tailored to your business processes.
Tailored solutions vs. One-size-fits-all
Many industrial manufacturers opt for commercial off-the-shelf platforms hoping for a one-size-fits-all solution. Yet, they often discover that these solutions are more limiting than universally applicable. Monolithic solutions come with broad, inflexible functionalities that can mismatch features and user experience. Alternatively, a composable architecture offers a “fit for purpose” approach, focusing on the customer and their specific needs. By integrating components that directly address operational challenges and customer requirements, composable solutions result in efficient, user-friendly customer portals that can adapt to changing market demands and preferences.
37% consider rising customer expectations a threat to their organizational success.
- The Voice of Digital Leaders in Manufacturing 2024 report
Consider the scenario of aftermarket spare -part ordering – a common task for many manufacturers. Often, they invest in large commerce platforms to digitalize this process. However, these platforms typically come loaded with an array of features, many of which are irrelevant for this specific customer journey. More importantly, they often lack robust functionalities for visualizing assets, which are crucial for identifying the correct spare parts. A fit-for-purpose solution, in contrast, would precisely cater to this need by integrating service/support features with efficient asset management and a streamlined ordering process. A user experience tailored to distinct user roles, such as a field service engineer or a procurement officer, is a pivotal offering. This “fit-for-purpose" approach, enabled by a composable architecture, ensures that the solution is not only more efficient but also more aligned with the actual needs of the users, instead of forcing the users to align to the one-size-fits-all platform.
In service, we need data and it is scattered, so why not embrace digital transformation to support the transition?
Challenges of integration with existing systems
For industrial manufacturers, integrating new technologies with existing systems is a significant challenge. The IT landscape is often scattered throughout the organization, with multiple ERP systems integrated with highly customized legacy commerce solutions. This results in tightly coupled and inflexible solutions that don't scale. Composable approaches tackle this challenge in three unique ways:
• Modularity: Composable architectures are inherently modular, allowing seamless integration with existing legacy systems without requiring extensive overhauls.
• API First: Designing and developing with an API First approach ensures that new components can easily connect to existing ecosystems, minimizing downtime and integration costs.
• Cloud-Native: Developing components as cloud-native applications enhances integration capabilities, leveraging scalability and flexibility for easier management of interconnected systems.
The data tells us that too many companies are stuck keeping the upgrade wheel turning. If you add the cost of time and business stand-still, the absolute cost is much higher.
- Casper Rasmussen, MACH Alliance President, quoted in the MACH Global Research 2023 report
Accelerating feature delivery
Traditional monolithic systems often hinder manufacturers from delivering timely updates and new features due to prolonged development lifecycles. Composable architectures enable agile, independent component development, speeding up the release process and ensuring rapid adaptation to market demands.
The table below illustrates a clear comparison of how composable architecture transforms the development process compared to monolithic systems.
Gradual data quality improvements in composable systems
The decision that I regret in retrospect is not starting with data quality first, which we missed out on in the beginning.
Many manufacturers struggle with data quality. Composable architectures excel in environments where data quality is variable. By adopting a modular approach, companies can channel high-quality data into certain components, ensuring peak system efficiency and effectiveness. As data quality improves over time, these systems can transition to automated data feeds, continuously improving capabilities without a complete transformation.
Overcoming entry barriers for going composable
There's a common misconception that composable architecture is only suitable for digitally mature companies. However, manufacturers at all digital maturity levels can benefit from a composable approach:
• Emerging/Reactive: Focus on a smaller project or proof of concept together with a strong technology partner.
o Manufacturers at this stage lack a clear digital vision and address digital needs on a case-by-case basis, often lacking in-house expertise for customization.
o Gain experience with managing a single-vendor relationship for a smaller project and build out over time.
• Optimizing/Proactive: Gradually transition to a composable architecture while optimizing digital initiatives across departments.
o Manufacturers at this stage have a clear digital strategy and optimize processes across departments, although they may still operate in silos.
o They adopt a hybrid approach, using enterprise suites for core functions and incorporating composable elements for flexible functionalities.
• Innovating/Leading: Embrace composable architectures for flexibility and innovation, leveraging in-house expertise for effective management of diverse components.
o Manufacturers at this level are industry pioneers and leaders.
o They adopt a fit-for-purpose approach, selecting suitable technologies for each function and integrating them seamlessly.
As we reach the end of our exploration into the composable manufacturing landscape, it's clear that flexibility, scalability and innovation are more than just buzzwords—they're essential components of a thriving industrial future. A composable approach proves invaluable for enhancing customer experiences with customized solutions. It allows for seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies and enables agile responses to market shifts. This strategy fosters nimble decision-making and operational adaptability previously reserved for industry pioneers.
By embracing composable solutions, manufacturers prepare to meet today's demands and pave the way for a resilient tomorrow. Keep in mind that the transition to a composable system doesn’t happen with a simple flip of a switch. It’s a journey of continuous improvement and adaptation, ultimately leading to a robust, future-proof manufacturing system.
In our final installment of this blog series, we’ll explore practical steps to implement a composable infrastructure using Valtech’s B2B customer portal accelerator GEAR, based on commercetools. Stay tuned for actionable insights to transform your knowledge into tangible results.
Interested? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about the possibilities for customer portals in industrial manufacturing.
Read more
In the current dynamic business environment, enhancing employee engagement holds great significance. The engagement of employees also translates into cohesive teamwork, yielding substantial benefits for both the company itself and the partners it associates with. Hence, in order to thrive in a competitive market, enterprises must ensure the unity of team engagement, fostering a sense of collective action and operation.
This is precisely where the role of a Chief Collaboration Officer becomes vital. The impetus for employee engagement originates from upper management. It is of utmost importance that leaders furnish appropriate tools and resources to bolster employees and establish a link between their tasks and the attainment of organizational triumph.
Suzanne, as Valtech's inaugural CCO, will assume a pivotal responsibility in promoting trust and collaboration, both within the organization and in its external dealings. Integrating collaboration at the executive level will empower the agency to align itself with the current economic and societal challenges confronted by businesses today. Simultaneously, this approach will address the obstacles related to the transformation of businesses holding leadership positions worldwide.
Suzanne Schroder, CCO at Valtech, commented: “The pandemic accelerated significant societal change: the rise of hybrid working and a redefinition of the relationship between our home and work lives.
“As trends like ‘quiet quitting’ take hold, the pressure is on for businesses to make sure every individual employee, from the top down, feels a sense of belonging and proud to come to work every day. It’s my goal to make sure that Valtech continues to engage employees and make them feel connected across teams.
“I’ll put the guide rails in place to protect this, troubleshoot any frictions, and critically evaluate our approach to collaboration on an ongoing basis to remain accountable. Not only will this allow us to continue delivering great results for clients and retain talent, but it’ll also empower our people through meaningful work.”
Olivier Padiou, CEO of Valtech, said: “We’re already a company where collaboration forged on trust and respect is at the essence of our culture and the change we want to make in the business transformation space.
“But by creating the CCO role, it’s now all about how we prioritise and enhance collaboration amongst our global workforce and with our clients to propel the business and our industry forwards.
“Culture and collaboration is tough to teach, but with 27 years of working for Valtech under her belt, Suzanne is the perfect person to uphold and share these values with our team as it grows internationally.”
Read more