Linum enhances efficiency with Hive CPQ integration for Business Central
Linum, a leading wholesaler, specializes in the development and sale of high-quality accessories and installation materials across various industries. Their product range includes refrigeration components such as door seals, locks, and profiles; HVAC systems like cooling pipes, condensate pumps, and cable ducts; and cold insulation products such as PUR foams and glass door systems. They also provide solutions for catering and catering technology, including shelving, blenders, and kitchen equipment, as well as intralogistics products like isothermal containers and transport containers.
Additionally, Linum offers shop fitting solutions, including aluminum profiles and stainless-steel rinsing tables, along with residential kitchen construction materials such as stainless-steel sinks and mixer taps, embarked on a transformative journey to streamline their complex operations. The integration of their extensive product catalog into a scalable, efficient sales process was a priority. As a forward-thinking organization, Linum sought to optimize internal workflows and prepare for advanced e-commerce capabilities.
Introduction
A visionary partnership: Linum and Hive CPQ collaborate for seamless integration
Linum, a leading wholesaler of gasket solutions and shelving systems, has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, customizable products. To sustain growth and operational excellence, Linum partnered with Hive CPQ and delaware to implement a robust configurator solution integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. This collaboration laid the foundation for streamlined processes and scalable innovation.
Problem
Managing a complex product catalog
Linum’s extensive catalog of configurable products required precision, and while their PIM system, Inriver, effectively managed base product data, it lacked the flexibility needed for complex configurations. Hive CPQ complemented Inriver by providing advanced configuration capabilities, ensuring more reliable product updates and faster processing.
Centralizing quoting and BOM processes
As Linum transitioned to a new digital landscape with a PIM system, a new ERP, and Hive CPQ, they faced challenges with quoting and BOM generation. Since BOM generation is not natively supported in Business Central, Linum required an automated system to handle this process efficiently, ensuring synchronized data across multiple entities and reducing errors.
Preparing for future scalability
Linum aimed to develop a scalable system to incorporate external configurator access via their webshop. This would ensure streamlined operations and enhance customer interaction in future phases.
The goal: achieving operational excellence
Linum’s overarching goal was to centralize operations, minimize manual workflows, and ensure data consistency. By addressing these challenges, the company aimed to establish a robust foundation for customer-facing configurators and long-term digital transformation.
Solution
Tailored integration solution: meeting Linum’s needs
Hive CPQ was implemented by delaware as part of Linum’s transition to a new digital ecosystem. Alongside Hive CPQ, delaware also integrated a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and linked Linum’s webshop with Business Central. The integration seamlessly connected Linum’s internal processes with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, enabling smooth data synchronization and workflow efficiency.
Pricing was streamlined through a sophisticated engine that synchronized list prices from Business Central, ensuring consistent and accurate pricing across the system.
In addition, Hive CPQ’s single-level Bill of Material (BOM) generation process integrated directly with Business Central, guaranteeing data reliability and reducing manual efforts. This integration simplifies BOM creation, ensuring every component aligns with operational needs. The flow of master data is expertly managed by delaware through the PIM system, Inriver, facilitating precise and efficient product configurations for Linum.
To enhance usability, Hive CPQ introduced interactive 3D visualization tools, enabling accurate configuration of complex products such as gaskets. These visualizations significantly improved user engagement and ensured precision in the sales process.
Process
From pilot to full implementation
Linum began the project with a Seeing Is Believing phase, where they tested the initial setup and confirmed its success before transitioning to a fully integrated solution. This approach allowed Linum to validate the configurator's functionality and ensured alignment with their operational needs.
Following this successful trial phase, Hive CPQ implemented the full solution. After extensive testing, Hive CPQ conducted comprehensive training sessions for Linum’s team, empowering them to manage and optimize the configurator effectively. The internal configurator launched successfully and continues to benefit from ongoing fine-tuning and enhancements to improve usability and performance.
Future
Expanding to customer-facing applications
Plans are underway to extend Hive CPQ’s configurators to Linum’s webshop, enabling customers to customize and order products effortlessly. Discover more about our experience configurator and how it transforms customer interactions.
Exploring new B2B solutions
Linum is considering adopting Hive CPQ’s dealer portal to enhance B2B interactions and drive efficiency. The dealer platform is designed to simplify complex sales processes, offering intuitive features that streamline communication and ordering for dealers. These initiatives align with Linum’s vision of becoming a fully digital enterprise, capable of delivering seamless and efficient service to its partners.
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Key benefits of Hive CPQ for Linum
Increased efficiency
Automation of quoting and BOM processes significantly reduced manual effort, improving accuracy and saving time.
Enhanced precision with 3D visualization
Interactive tools empowered teams to handle complex configurations confidently.
Data consistency and real-time updates
Integration with Business Central and Inriver ensured reliable and consistent data flow.
Scalability for future growth
The scalable architecture supported multi-company operations and positioned Linum for long-term digital expansion.
