SQLI et Rubix: working together to meet the challenges of B2B m-commerce
Rubix, a leading french and european specialist in b2b industrial product and service distribution, called on SQLI’s mobile development expertise to design a m-commerce app.
Since 2017, SQLI has been engaged in the development and continuous improvement of Rubix’s industrial product restocking app, designed for its business customers. The app enables users to scan, explore and order a range of more than 200,000 products.
A new stage in Rubix's digital strategy
Its collaboration with SQLI opened up a new stage in Rubix’s digitalisation strategy, aimed at meeting its customers’ changing needs and strengthening its e-commerce position.
In an environment where e-commerce is growing in importance, Rubix is looking to increase the proportion of its sales online. While the majority of its sales are made through its 650 physical points of sale, located in 23 European countries, the company does have 20 web shops. It would like to encourage the adoption of its online platforms, particularly through its personalised customer account ‘MyRubix’.
In view of the significant growth of mobile uses, Rubix wanted to expand its existing digital ecosystem with a m-commerce app. The app supplements the e-commerce website by offering functions designed for mobile use, which were not available in the desktop version.
A transition to mobile for an optimised user experience
Using React Native, the m-commerce app was built around the central function of product QR code and barcode scanning, which was made technically possible by the smartphone camera sensor and a linked library. The scanner is a service that was designed specifically for Rubix's industrial customers, which have rapid restocking needs. It revolutionises the journey for these users by enabling them to instantly consult product details, prices and availability, and add items to their basket seamlessly, in just a few clicks.
SQLI worked on enhancing the search experience with intuitive suggestions. It also introduced a search history and a function to easily find recently consulted products. Product pages and the favourites list were redesigned, while ergonomics were improved with the addition of a categories menu.
The release of this native search function marks the app’s transition to a fully-fledged m-commerce app, with an experience designed specifically with mobile use in mind. Rubix has since recorded a significant increase in the number of active users, beyond the use of the scanner which was previously the app’s main function. Search result pages now have a higher add-to-basket rate (42.8%) than the product scanner (23%).
A long-standing support for Rubix's mobile challenges
Since 2017, SQLI has worked closely with Rubix to develop and improve the app:
“SQLI’s expertise in developing mobile apps, combined with its clear understanding of Rubix’s needs and challenges, ensured the success of this project and the establishment of a trust-based relationship. SQLI has always managed to meet Rubix’s requirements and contribute an effective work methodology,” stated Léa Davoine, Product Designer at Rubix.
Timothée Devaux, Head of Mobile and Dev-Front at SQLI, added: "The m-commerce mobile app project for Rubix is an excellent example of constructive collaboration over time! Over the years, our respective teams have worked hand in hand to maintain the app and develop technical improvements. More than a project, it’s a partnership where trust, the pleasure of working together and continuous improvement are the watchwords.”
2024 will be a productive year with the introduction of new functionality, including a new version of the scanner, a major update of React Native, the introduction of notifications and an overhaul of order tracking pages.