Products that explain themselves
3D product configurators and web apps for products that need explaining
We develop 3D product configurators, web apps and VR training that let your customers and employees understand and use complex products and processes on their own, in the browser, on a tablet or in VR. We also handle large data sets, from product logic in the ERP to the 3D model of an entire plant. After launch, we can continue to operate and monitor the systems for you.
Request an initial workshopWhich digital applications do we develop?
We develop product configurators, web apps and VR training, plus the technology behind your website – and operate everything after launch if you wish. Anything that runs in the browser can also be used on tablets and smartphones as a progressive web app (PWA).
3D product configurators
Customers configure their product in the browser, see it in 3D and only get combinations that can actually be built. Whether wheelchair, machine or plant: the product configurator knows the rules sales staff have to keep in mind today and passes the result on to your shop, CRM or quotation.
VR training and learning apps
Where mistakes are costly or dangerous, procedures have to be second nature when an emergency occurs. For such critical processes, we develop training apps and VR training in which your team can practise as often as needed, in the browser, on a tablet or with a VR headset.
Training apps: for the German Heart Center Munich, a 3D app that clinical staff use to practise working with the emergency trolley. Read case study
VR training: also for the German Heart Center Munich, VR training in which teams practise handling ECMO therapy. Read case study
Sales and process apps
Looking to have a web app developed that digitally maps a process within your team or with your partners? We build it for the browser, as a progressive web app (PWA) for tablet and smartphone, or for your own data centre, and support you from analysing the processes to operation.
Sales tools: internal applications for sales teams, for example for MacDermid Alpha.
Process applications: map collaboration with customers or partners in a single application.
Website technology and CMS
How your website looks is shaped together with your brand identity (corporate design). We also take care of the technology behind it: the content management system (headless CMS) in which your team maintains the content itself, accessible implementation according to WCAG, short loading times and connections to email delivery, analytics and image databases. For groups of companies, also as one system for several websites.
Operation and hosting
We monitor exactly the functions that matter to you and see outages before your customers notice them. We host most applications on servers in the EU. If you prefer, we also prepare them to run in your own data centre.
Hosting: via Railway on servers in the Netherlands, or in your own data centre right down to the intranet, as for the German Heart Center Munich.
Monitoring: end-to-end tests of the critical functions, such as whether forms arrive, job ads load from third-party systems and the site is reachable.
Transparency: a status page shows you at any time which services are running and whether there were any disruptions.
Response times: agreed according to how critical the application is, up to 24/7 on-call support.
Reference: the website system of the Auxilium group for 14 companies, with around 100,000 visits a month in live operation. Read case study
When is a product configurator or web app worth it?
Whenever a product, a process or a data set currently needs a lot of explaining in personal conversations. We take that conversation as our starting point and turn it into an application your customers can use on their own.
Many variants, a lot of consulting
Your sales team has to know which options go together and which rule each other out. A 3D product configurator checks this automatically.
Dry information, little attention
Material data or technical properties need to reach prospects who don’t read data sheets. An interactive presentation shows them in the context of use.
Large plants, hard to show
A plant doesn’t fit on a trade fair stand. A virtual showroom lets visitors walk through it in the browser.
Training on critical equipment
Practising on real equipment is expensive or risky. VR training and training apps make procedures repeatable.
Several websites, one content system
Each company maintains its own content, while technology, updates and operation are shared.
Selected projects
These projects are examples of how we develop product configurators, web apps and VR training: from analysing the processes to live operation.
Küschall Visualizer
Read case studyCustomers configure their wheelchair in 3D and arrive at the specialist dealer with a configuration that can be built.
Auxilium GmbH 14 companies, one brand
Read case studyA headless CMS system for 14 companies with around 100,000 visits a month, maintained by the companies themselves.
BASF Virtual Car
Read case studyA browser-based catalogue shows materials where they are used in the vehicle.
DHM ECMO-VR
Read case studyA VR training gives nursing staff a safe space to practise the high-risk ECMO treatment, regardless of location and shift schedule.
DHM Emergency Trolley Training App
Read case studyA 3D app simulates using the emergency trolley and trains clinical staff until every move is second nature.
Dürr Open House
Read case studyFor Dürr’s fully digital in-house exhibition, we created a walk-through 3D web app.
How does a configurator or web app project work?
In six steps from workshop to live operation. Typical projects take one to six months, depending on scope and how quickly data and approvals are available.
Define the goal In the initial workshop, we define what the application should achieve: spark a purchase decision, make information accessible or simplify a process.
Examine use and processes Using structured interviews, observation and, where needed, quantitative analyses, we examine how consultations, trade fair appearances or field sales work today and what can be simplified.
Design and test the interface A paper or clickable prototype shows how the application guides users. We discuss and test it with you before any programming starts.
Build data and logic We define how product data, dependencies and content are structured, often based on your ERP. Instead of a direct connection, we can also import exports.
Implement and launch We develop with regular interim reviews and, if needed, train your team in using the application and maintaining its content.
Operate and evolve Hosting, monitoring, security updates and new features as needed.
What sets our development apart?
Our applications are in use at clients such as Dürr, BASF, Küschall and the German Heart Center Munich. Our strength is large, complex data sets: we prepare them so that they run fast in the browser and stay understandable for everyone who works with them.
Large data volumes in the browser. We process not just individual components but the CAD data of entire production plants. We reduce and structure these data volumes so that they run smoothly in the browser via WebGL or in real-time renderings.
Thorough UX work. Before we develop, we examine how your customers and employees work today: with structured and qualitative interviews, observation and, where needed, quantitative analyses. The result is an interface that fits the actual workflows.
Software built for continuous operation. Clean architecture, tests and monitoring are a fixed part of every project. We also look after the applications after launch, which is why we build them to be maintainable.
How does a 3D product configurator work?
Your customers choose the model and options step by step and see the result in 3D immediately. The logic behind it hides anything that doesn’t fit together, so only configurations that can actually be built are created.
3D view: rotate the product, zoom in, check details.
Dependencies: options that rule each other out are hidden automatically. Your sales team no longer has to keep them in mind.
Live figures: for example the total weight of the configuration; prices where they can be stated in general terms.
A result to take away: a PDF with the complete configuration for the conversation with sales or a specialist dealer.
Data basis: your CAD data and product logic, often taken from the ERP.
We develop custom 3D configurators for B2B products that need explaining, for example in mechanical engineering or medical technology, not standard plug-ins for shop systems. If required, the configurator passes the finished configuration directly to your shop, CRM or other systems.
Which technologies do you work with?
We choose the technology based on your requirements and existing systems. Our standard tools are well proven, but we also work with other technologies if your project calls for it.
Headless CMS: Strapi and Directus, as well as Contentful and Storyblok
Development: Node.js, React and Next.js
3D and VR: Three.js, Verge3D, Unity
Analytics: Matomo or Google Analytics
Email delivery: Zoho, ZeptoMail or Outlook
Version control: your own Git or GitHub
We follow established standards for data protection (GDPR) and accessibility (WCAG). You can take over code and data in full at any time.
Let’s start with an initial workshop
A product is hard to explain, or a process generates too many questions? Then let’s work out in an initial workshop what a digital application can change.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a product configurator or web app cost?
That depends mainly on five factors: the number and complexity of variants, the quality of the CAD data, integration with back-end systems, maintainability requirements and training needs in your team. After an initial conversation, we can usually estimate the scope quickly and show which levers help you reach a target budget.
How long does a project take?
Typically one to six months. The duration depends on the scope and on how quickly data and approvals are available.
What data do we need to provide?
For a configurator, we need CAD data of your products and information on which options depend on or exclude each other. This logic is often already in your ERP. For demanding materials such as textiles, product samples help.
Can you connect the application to our ERP?
Yes. However, many companies prefer not to connect their ERP directly to the internet. In that case, we import regular exports so that changes still reach the application.
Where are the applications hosted?
By default via Railway on servers in the Netherlands, i.e. in the EU. Alternatively, we prepare the application for your own data centre, including operation on the intranet.
Do we own the code and data at the end?
If you wish, we hand over code and data in full. Many clients leave hosting and maintenance with us so that nobody has to take care of it internally.
Do you also design our website?
Yes. With us, the design, technology and operation of your website come from a single source: design system, content and implementation are created in the same project, and we continue to look after the website afterwards. Read more about the design side under corporate design.
What’s the best way to get started?
With a joint initial workshop. There we clarify what the application should achieve and take a real situation as our starting point, such as a sales conversation or a trade fair appearance.