Design Buy Build Issue 35 2018 | Page 32

Online And In Touch – The Digital Way Ahead Chris Goggin of Rinnai looks at the way to the future, for installers, specifiers and end-users, with an online and fully digitalised approach to trading in today’s world. Today’s world is driven by fingertip operation on a computer, Smartphone, tablet – or even a watch. ‘Digitalisation’ has interrupted and reset the way all businesses of all sizes operate. ‘Digitalisation’ is simply the integration of digital technologies into all seconds, minutes and hours of everyday life. It dictates, virtually all communications between installers and their customers – and suppliers. If a business chooses not to embrace the opportunities of digitalisation and remains in a state of denial then it is highly likely to be left behind and fall away from competitors. The evidence is here - the rise and rise of online purchasing has already accounted for major names in retailing going into administration and ceasing to trade. Online buying is now across multiple device formats, along with the streamlining of product or service information available to consumer bases. The leading manufacturing companies are creating online contact points, information and support services that are fully digitalised and accessible on any device. The world is now digital. Finding the ways of employing and utilising this new digital space is key in maintaining a competitive edge within your sector of plumbing and heating installation and contracting market. And the benefits? Time and cost efficiency dramatically increases in talking to anyone involved in the supply chain. It gives a platform to engage with manufacturers at any time of day and from any site. 32 Tailoring this information so that it is personalised to target customers, geographically and demographically, is a strong and advanced method of ensuring complete service offerings, in a streamlined and effective way.