24/7 ABEX (AT)
Materials supplied around the clock. GC-GRUPPE ÖSTERREICH is working with Wanzl to create the first Austrian ABEX warehouse with a 24/7 concept
Customers can find more than 4,000 products kept in stock for installation, heating, plumbing, civil engineering and industrial technology at the 24/7 ABEX in Regau. The shop therefore covers around 95% of items needed on a spontaneous day-to-day basis. The store is a hybrid solution. Herbert Aichinger, Managing Partner of WAGNER HAUSTECHNIK KG in Regau, one of nine GC enterprises throughout Austria, explains: “With the 24/7 ABEX, we want to offer our customers a unique service. During regular opening hours, you can get advice and support from our specialist staff as usual. In addition, authorised customers have the option of using the 24/7 staff-free service – be it early in the morning, late in the evening, over weekends or on public holidays.”
From check-in to the backend
As a technology partner, Wanzl Austria was responsible for both delivering all 24/7 shopfitting components and providing the cloud infrastructure. At the heart of the concept is the wanzl connect® software platform, which controls the technical processes in the store. The customer journey begins when they enter the building. Customers log into their personal GC ONLINE PLUS account using their smartphone and receive a unique QR code, which they scan on an external wall-mounted stand. They then enter an entrance area that is effectively and transparently separated thanks to Wanzl Railix Security room dividers made of ESG safety glass elements. Here, customers authorise themselves for a second time for controlled access to the sales area using the QR code at the Wanzl Colour Gate entrance system with LED-illuminated ESG swivel arms. They can then move around freely in the store. GC ONLINE PLUS is used to register the barcodes of the required articles and enter their quantity. After shopping, the customer goes to the exit, where the QR code is scanned again at a Wanzl exit gate. The value of the goods is automatically debited from the customer's account and they can then leave the store.
“The 24/7 ABEX concept developed in conjunction with GC-GRUPPE has already established itself in Germany. Customer-friendliness and accessibility are key components here. Controlled entry and exit should have as little impact on the shopping experience as possible. For this reason, GC-GRUPPE ÖSTERREICH also opted for Wanzl products, which have proven successful in Germany,” explains Daniel Elsner, project manager and sales employee at Wanzl Austria. Ceiling sensors for counting customers and the implementation of interfaces to the sliding doors and alarm system round off Wanzl’s service portfolio.
In-depth project management
For Wanzl, best possible customer proximity and support are crucial factors for the success of projects. In particular, the implementation of a 24/7 store requires close cooperation between the different trades and continuous coordination with the customer. Daniel Elsner emphasises: “We supported the 24/7 ABEX project in Regau from a very early stage. Just under nine months passed from the initial construction meeting and clarification of the product requirements through to the coordination of IT, network and preliminary electrical services to the final installation and commissioning. In order to achieve this quickly and cleanly, we also worked very closely with our colleagues from Wanzl headquarters in Germany.” The 24/7 concept and the successful project implementation in Regau won over everyone involved. “We are very happy with the cooperation. Wanzl’s access solutions, network technology and services have met our high standards in every respect. And our customers are also embracing the format. That’s why we are already planning more Austrian 24/7 ABEX sites,” says Herbert Aichinger.
