Siemens Rapidly Develops a Complex Ordering System with Low-Code

Siemens Digital Industries Group is a pioneer in industrial automation, electrical automation, Industry 4.0, and smart manufacturing.

The organization faced the challenge of creating a localized, fast-ordering system for China while maintaining the advantages of a global system to stay competitive in the industrial market. Utilizing the Mendix low-code platform, Siemens developed the Quick Order Processing (QOP) system.

The new system includes:

• One-click ordering
• Automated data synchronization across five systems
• Clear and efficient order tracking

With Mendix, development time was reduced by 50%, order efficiency improved by over 50%, and customer satisfaction reached an all-time high.

Sell What We Use, Use What We Sell

As a major manufacturing enterprise, Siemens provides multiple electronic ordering options like Mall, ERP2Mall, and ERP2ERP to its clients, achieving 99% electronic order rates. However, while its global unified order management system offers excellent versatility, it lacks critical localized functionalities for China.

On the other hand, the locally developed DIomis system addressed many gaps but lacked an electronic ordering platform. For SPR-type orders, clients previously had to manually prepare and upload Excel files, match prices, and verify accuracy, making the process time-consuming and prone to errors.

To address these inefficiencies and align closer with Chinese market demands, Siemens needed to develop a faster, more intuitive ordering system. Guided by the principle of “using what we sell and selling what we use,” Siemens chose Mendix, its in-house low-code development platform, for the Quick Order Processing (QOP) system.

Siemens chose Mendix to develop the QOP system, as it would:

• Support the BizDevOps model with visual and model-driven development, enabling seamless communication between business and application development.
• Facilitate agile development across the lifecycle with DevOps, rapidly adapting to system changes.
• Provide a wide array of standardized components, including technical (e.g., microservices) and business components (e.g., reporting tools with built-in logic).

Architecting for Function & Scale

The project required handling Siemens China’s complex business operations, including over RMB 40 billion in annual sales spanning diverse sectors like distribution, system integration, direct sales, and spare parts. Mendix had to meet high compliance standards, manage large data volumes, integrate multiple systems, and support cloud deployment.

After feasibility analyses, Mendix was deemed capable of addressing these challenges. The project began in May 2022 and user acceptance testing was completed by October, saving 50% of development hours compared to traditional methods.

The Quick Order Processing system comprises four micro-applications: SLC Orders, SFAE Orders, Master Data, and Foundations, integrated with eight upstream and downstream systems. Key features include:

• Order processing
• Product management
• Pricing
• Uer access management

The one-click order feature for SPR-type orders eliminated manual steps like uploading products and matching prices. Customers now simply select the SPR number and place orders instantly. Siemens processes tens of thousands of such orders annually, significantly reducing order time and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Additionally, order validation features check product lifecycle, packaging, and logistics requirements, enabling real-time compliance checks and reducing post-order correction costs.

User-Friendly and Future Ready Ordering

Since its launch, the Quick Order Processing system has received widespread acclaim from users across China:

• “The one-click SPR order feature is incredibly convenient and saves a lot of time!”
• “Transparent export reports and clear order tracking make it easy to monitor progress.”
• “Minimal customer operations save so much time.”

Buoyed by its success, Siemens has further enhancements planned for the system:

1. Enhancing order logic, including intelligent material searches, maximum order quantities, and control processes.
2. Optimizing system connections, such as SPR integration, single sign-on with DIomis, and API improvements.
3. Improving user interfaces to expand customer reach and enhance experience.

The Quick Order Processing system demonstrates Mendix’s potential for developing complex, localized applications. Siemens Digital Industries Group – supported by Mendix’s robust features and ecosystem – is committed to continuing its digital transformation journey.