Customer case voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands B.V.

Product configurator for voestalpine spare parts

In close collaboration with voestalpine, Orange Juice has developed an advanced configurator for spare parts. This allows users to reliably and visually navigate through the options and order the correct part.

Purchasing an NRG-joint involves multiple stakeholders, which previously required the exchange of numerous technical drawings. Our challenge was to streamline this entire process for everyone involved through the product configurator. Additionally, these are highly technical products related to rail infrastructure, with many specifications that needed to be incorporated into the configurator.

Before starting this project, we visited the location to gain a better understanding of the product and its specifications. Entering as outsiders posed a challenge. We had to create an integration within an existing e-commerce environment to place the configurator we developed into the shopping cart of the e-commerce platform. Although we frequently build products within another party's system, but it will always remain a challenge.

The goal of this project was to enable voestalpine's customers to automatically customize the NRG-joint, a technical and complex product.

The client wanted to provide their customers with the ability to automatically personalize the product. We eagerly accepted this challenge. The client had specific requirements, as the NRG-joint is a technical and complex product. Users need to be advised where necessary. The configurator includes extensive explanations and business logic, making it impossible to order an incorrect product. The configurator is not only an e-commerce product, but also a training tool.

Innovation and reliability in the railway industry
voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands (part of the global voestalpine Railway Systems) is the largest railway supplier in the Netherlands. They provide all products, services, and logistics for both new projects and maintenance and repair projects. They support operators and contractors in the construction and maintenance of rail infrastructure, specializing in "just in time deliveries." The electric insulated rail joint (NRG-joint) has been designated as the pilot product for this automation project.

Innovation and reliability in the railway industry

voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands (part of the global voestalpine Railway Systems) is the largest railway supplier in the Netherlands. It supplies all products, services, and logistical support for both new projects and breakdown and maintenance projects. It supports infrastructure managers and contractors with the construction and maintenance of rail infrastructure and specializes in "just in time deliveries". In addition to the configurator for switch components, the electrical insulating joint (NRG joint) was also previously developed as a pilot product.

The collaboration

The project was realized in close collaboration with voestalpine and an external partner that took care of the 3D part. While many involved parties typically require extra coordination, this trajectory proceeded smoothly thanks to short lines of communication and a transparent way of working.

Because prior knowledge of rail components could not be taken for granted, time was consciously taken at the start to thoroughly review the subject matter. During an on-site session with stakeholders from production, marketing, and sales, the technical requirements and necessary documentation were reviewed together. This provided a foundation upon which the entire project could build.

That collaborative approach ensured that expectations and implementation remained closely aligned throughout the entire process.

The result

The project has resulted in a configurator that is now in use. Users can download their configuration as a PDF or share it via a link or QR code, for example for review by a colleague. In addition, the tool is available in multiple languages and the search function handles typos, ensuring the correct part is found quickly.

The fact that the platform unlocks the full range of switch components does not mean that every product required the same approach. You can read more about what that looked like for the pilot product further down at the NRG joint.

Did you know that...

On the scale of an entire rail, the difference between a turnout branching off to the left or to the right is barely visible. Therefore, an animation was added that zooms in precisely on that point, making the branching direction clearly visible after all.

In practice, the NRG joint

While the platform unlocked the full range of switch components, the electrical insulating joint (NRG joint) required a slightly different approach. This pilot product of the automation project brought multiple parties together during the purchasing process, which previously involved technical drawings constantly being sent back and forth between them. This specific configurator was designed to streamline that process for all involved and was furthermore integrated with the shopping cart of an existing e-commerce platform.

De NRG-las was een technisch en complex product, waarbij de gebruiker regelmatig advies nodig had. Daarom werd er veel uitleg en businesslogica ingebouwd die een onjuiste keuze vrijwel onmogelijk maakte. Zo werd deze configurator niet alleen een bestelhulp, maar ook een opleidingstool. Ook hier kwam het resultaat tot stand dankzij korte lijnen tussen alle betrokken partijen, van voestalpine tot de externe partijen die bij de technische tekeningen betrokken waren.

Orange Juice asked a lot of critical questions, which gave me a lot of confidence. They understood what we were talking about and provided the space for creating animations and marketing, which really appealed to me.

Maarten Snijder Product Owner voestalpine Tracks Solutions