In the shed-building industry, 3D configurators came about like most innovations—out of necessity.
New technology and a corresponding rise in customer expectations have made 3D software packages a literal must for manufacturers and retailers.
It’s what has led to a nationwide outcropping of new programs that can reside on any builder’s platform.
BUILD DEVELOPER
Eureka, Illinois-based Countryside Barns was looking for a 3D configurator and none of the products on the market did what they wanted.
“So, we decided to jump into it and develop our own,” says Caleb Braker, who markets the product.
He touts his 3D Structure App, released to market some three years ago, as a “premium product.” As such, his developers customize each application to match a customer’s exact lineup.
“Others might do something similar, but we try to be the best at it,” Braker says.
The application’s lead developer is adept at guiding shed builders through every step of the process, viewing a client’s product line in Zoom, and then relying upon an exhaustive list of specifications to model everything from the ground up.
“Our modelers will take the data from an intake sheet and model everything to those photos and specifications,” shares Braker.
Just how long that takes depends upon the size of the customer.
For elite builders, the process could take about two to three months. Smaller builders could take much less time.
“Following some testing on our development site, we’ll take it live once the customer is satisfied,” Braker adds.
The 3D Structure App comes packaged with a simplified customer relationship management (CRM) component for orders and quote tracking, e-commerce for online purchasing, and an inventory management system—all of which can be customized.
There are other differentiators, Braker says. His application is easy to use with minimal to no experience required on the part of the end user.
It also allows each customer to easily manipulate the design, such as moving doors and windows to different locations.
EASE, ACCESSIBILITY
The easier and more accessible a product is to use, the more customers will use it, says Matthew Black, developer of Lebanon, Tennessee-based MyShed, a multi-functional software specifically designed for shed builders.
As the owner of Blacks Buildings, he draws on his background in the shed manufacturing industry for the software.
“We saw the need for the 3D configurator and management software for the business, so we set out to create one,” Black says.
The program comes with a full back-end system to manage sales through delivery, including invoicing and lead generation. Eventually, Black plans to offer the 3D configurator as a stand-alone product.
By having his own shed manufacturing company, Black can beta test everything in-house.
“One big differentiator—smaller businesses can use our base version for free, then graduate to a paid tier as they grow their business,” he adds.
The MyShed program is geared specifically to large-shed manufacturers.
“It’s a top-down system designed for a shed manufacturing company to provide that configurator to their dealers but also manage the sales through the backend,” Black points out.
MyShed and other similar configurators play a vital role in transitioning online customers directly into a sale without ever visiting a store.
In turn, it can set a shed builder apart from its competition by giving customers a greater sense of control during the process.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, JOURNEY
Dan VanOrden, senior vice president of sales and co-founder of Boise, Idaho-based IdeaRoom, says the 11-year-old company’s business rapidly grew once they decided to directly service the shed industry.
He recalls the October 2017 Big Shed Show as a turning point.
“There were a lot of software providers at the show, and we were all getting mobbed at our booths,” VanOrden says. “Clearly the timing was good.”
Fundamentally and philosophically, IdeaRoom focuses on the customer experience and journey. The company strives to provide a simple user interface that guides the user through the entire experience, including financing, rent-to-own contracts, purchasing, and checkout.
Recently, they’ve focused on “enticing customers into the 3D design experience. A lot of folks simply have a button that says, ‘Design Your Building in 3D’ … but there are other ways to integrate a 3D configurator into your marketing, including multiple links on your website, social sharing, online advertising … and some of those aren’t always apparent.”
IdeaRoom has multiple service levels—IdeaRoom Standard and IdeaRoom Pro—and they’ve also added a social sharing button that makes it easier for users to post designs to Facebook or other social media.
There’s also improved augmented reality functionality that enables customers to visualize a shed design on their property using their phone, along with multiple 3D scene backgrounds from which to choose.
“We’re trying to push that experience further and give them more tools so that they have confidence in their purchase,” VanOrden says.
There’s more functionality than designing sheds. IdeaRoom uses analytics to measure the effectiveness of the 3D configuration, as well as to determine what customers are doing while in the configurator.
“In turn, it helps them determine just how much business they’re getting from the program,” adds VanOrden.
NO SHORTCUTS
Robert Oxley, the Phoenix-based founder of The Shed App, says his engineering background won’t allow him to take any “shortcuts.”
As such, The Shed App has an in-house checking procedure, whereby they examine workload and overall functionality to prevent system overload.
“Every decision, from where we’re hosted to the technologies that we use, are intended to make the final product more robust,” Oxley says. “Over $250 billion in orders have been run through our system without any slowdown.”
There are some new functionalities that enhance the customer experience.
“We’re working on both pre-sale and post-sale operations, and we’re excited about both,” Oxley says. “With respect to 3D viewer operations, everyone is building upon the same tech—webGL—the recognized industry standard for online 3D.
“Our system integrates with ad networks to track conversions and optimize ad spend, helping our clients get more sales for less cost.
“We’re also building out additional conversion event tracking for more nuanced feedback, and we’re about to release new functionality that connects to the Google Merchant Center for 3D and AR product listings, for both inventory and build-to-order units.”
The buy now, pay later option is rapidly becoming a standard for online purchases, so The Shed App will be integrating the functionality for a more seamless checkout experience.
Statistics show that businesses that provide the option have seen a 27 percent incremental uplift in sales volume.
“Is The Shed App good enough as it is? Perhaps as of yesterday,” says Oxley.
“But with the rapid advances in ad network technology, artificial intelligence, privacy concerns, and other evolving purchase options, the need to constantly re-evaluate and improve is not going away.
“And this is the best way to serve our clients.”
