Tech Debt: We Need a New Extranet!

In this project, an extranet that is over 15 years old must be replaced. The monolithic architecture will be replaced, and “tech debt” will be eliminated.

In this case study, you’ll learn how we approached the project at FEGIME Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG and why workshops and close coordination with the client’s project team are crucial to the project’s success.

Who is FEGIME Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG?

The abbreviation “FEGIME” stands for “Fédération Européenne des Grossistes Indépendants en matériel électrique” (European Federation of Independent Electrical Wholesalers).

FEGIME Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG (FEGIME) comprises approximately 45 family-owned electrical wholesale businesses. FEGIME Deutschland has evolved over decades through mergers of medium-sized market associations. The year 1958, when the first association was founded, is considered the year of its establishment.

The shareholders generate approximately 2.4 billion euros (2023) in revenue in Germany and are represented at over 160 locations. FEGIME’s headquarters are located in Nuremberg and employ approximately 60 people. The staff consists of marketing specialists, master electricians, business professionals, and IT specialists.

Beyond Germany, FEGIME is part of the FEGIME Group, which includes more than 260 other family-owned businesses and wholesalers from 20 European and South American countries.

FEGIME by the Numbers (Highlights)

1958

Year Founded

Family-Owned Businesses as Shareholders (As of 2024)

3,500

Employees

2.4

Shareholders' Revenue in billions of euros (2023)

What exactly does FEGIME do?

FEGIME is a market consortium for electrical wholesalers—mostly family-owned businesses or wholesalers—that centralizes key services to reduce costs for its members and achieve a unified position in the global market. Its core areas of focus are procurement, marketing, and IT.

For example, FEGIME Deutschland GmbH offers its members the ability to connect their systems to automatically update the product master data. Using a centralized EDIFACT solution, invoices, purchase orders, order confirmations, and shipping notices can be exchanged with suppliers and customers electronically. Members thus have access to a state-of-the-art inventory management system as well as an online store featuring their own custom design. The system is based on Europe’s largest database for electronic products, containing approximately four million items.

Through the partnership with FEGIME, the goal is to establish IT standards and drive the digital transformation of the member companies. In doing so, FEGIME focuses on creativity and providing impetus for further development.

Through the FEGIME Group, FEGIME Germany is connected to 18 other market associations, which are organized into 19 regional associations. The focus is on Europe and South America.

Tech Debt: A 15-year-old extranet needs to be replaced!

FEGIME reached out to us based on our EURO-Baustoffe case study from 2023. After initial discussions about FEGIME’s existing extranet and our experience in implementing customized client requirements, we were able to convince FEGIME to hold an on-site workshop with us in Nuremberg. These workshops are particularly important for new projects to ensure a precise understanding of the requirements and to prepare an appropriate proposal.

Even before the workshop, we already knew that a tried-and-true, legacy extranet—which had been developed in-house—was to be replaced. The existing extranet was based on a monolithic architecture and was already 15 years old. Over the years, many features had been developed, some of which were no longer needed. The user interface (UI) was also showing its age.

Long loading times, a confusing menu structure that had evolved over time, and an outdated search function made day-to-day work difficult for FEGIME’s employees and shareholders. In addition to technical and user issues, it also became apparent that the extranet’s developers would be retiring in the foreseeable future, necessitating a transfer of knowledge. FEGIME’s “tech debt” had become too large. It was clear to everyone involved that a new solution had to be developed.

Off-the-shelf solutions were out of the question due to the many custom features that had to be preserved. The new extranet was designed to meet the following clear objectives:

Centralized information management
Efficient communication (internal, external)
Strict access control system to meet regulatory requirements (antitrust law)
FEGIME’s core values should be reflected in the new extranet
Structured document management
Cost reduction through simplified processes and scalability
An intuitive design with optimized UI and UX that simplifies working with the extranet

Tech Debt: A 15-year-old extranet needs to be replaced!

Until now, the old extranet was often used only because it was necessary for certain tasks within the market community. That should change fundamentally. Users should enjoy using the new extranet and view it as a tool in their daily work that makes their jobs easier.

After our workshop in Nuremberg, we felt confident—both for the project and for our client, FEGIME—regarding the requirements and core values, and in turn, we were able to effectively convey our values and our focus on open source and custom development. Armed with the insights we gained, we were able to prepare a proposal for a new extranet.

The New Extranet - From the MVP to the New Extranet

Already during the first workshop—in which the project was introduced and the requirements for a proposal were clarified—it quickly became clear to everyone that a significant amount of conceptual work would be necessary in the initial phase to reduce the complexity of an extranet that had grown over more than 15 years and to determine which functions should be retained, removed, or redesigned.

To achieve this, the processes of FEGIME and its shareholders must be efficiently documented and evaluated. punkt.de GmbH has extensive experience in these areas. For years, we have been conducting standardized workshops for this purpose in collaboration with our partner agency for design, UI & UX (“made in”). We guided FEGIME and its shareholders in reflecting on their own processes and integrating them effectively into the new extranet to achieve the goals outlined above.

In parallel with the conceptual work with the individual departments (suppliers, purchasing, marketing, IT, etc.), the new technological foundation was established.

The new front end is being implemented using React. For the complex access controls—which must also comply with antitrust regulations—we are relying on the TYPO3 authorization system, which has proven to be very reliable and powerful in many projects.

The development of the new extranet began with an MVP, which was then to be expanded step by step (continuous relaunch). In addition, a “soft launch” for the new extranet was agreed upon to help users get accustomed to it. During this phase, the old and new extranets will run in parallel until all functions are available in the new extranet. This will increase acceptance of the new extranet.

Achieving Project Success Through Agile Work

At punkt.de GmbH, we rely on agile project management and development for our projects. Not all clients are comfortable with this approach from the start. The client must actively and continuously communicate with us about project progress during daily stand-ups and regular meetings. This is the only way to work efficiently and ensure the project’s success.

This approach allows us to quickly adapt to new requirements without jeopardizing the entire project plan. This worked exceptionally well with the FEGIME project team. Additionally, the client is very open to new technologies and ways of thinking. This is a key part of this project’s success.

Partners on Equal Footing!

In a project with many stakeholders—such as shareholders—it’s important not only to have highly efficient, agile collaboration but also for the agency and the client to work in unison, drive the project forward internally, and present a united front. For us as an agency, this meant supporting the client even at internal events with its shareholders. As a result, a very collaborative relationship has developed over the past few years between us as an agency and the FEGIME project team.

Continuous Relaunch - Step by Step Toward the New Extranet

In the first phase, the focus of the new extranet was on the “Purchasing Area,” a key core area with a range of complex functions. Building on this area, additional sections are now being developed step by step.

Together with our partner agency madein, which is responsible for the design and UI/UX, and the client’s IT service provider, “Geneon,” we are driving the new extranet forward and, in doing so, further strengthening our partnership.