Specializing in the production of small, fractional horsepower motors and related motion control products, Dynetic Systems historically marketed its products through published catalogs. However, the company was quick to embrace the concept of a web-based catalog for growing sales, generating leads, and extending market reach, according to Dennis Meemken, director of Sales and Marketing. Following an aborted attempt at creating an online catalog with a web-listing service, the company began looking for an online catalog solution that would support downloads of configurable 2D and 3D CAD models.
“Our general manager went to a meeting of the Small Motor Manufacturers Association and saw a presentation on 3D PartStream.NET® by SolidWorks Corp,” Meemken recalls. “3D PartStream.NET has the capabilities of a true online catalog, supporting configurable product models for download in all the leading 2D and 3D CAD formats. We believed 3D PartStream.NET would give us a capability that we otherwise could not support internally -- and at a very competitive price."
Dynetic Systems selected the 3D PartStream.NET online catalog service because it provided a complete solution, including configurable model downloads in all leading 2D and 3D CAD formats, easy-to-use reporting tools, as well as administration, hardware, and security maintenance.
“3D PartStream.NET not only enabled us to make our models available via the web,” stresses Meemken, “but also enhanced our company image, putting us at least a year ahead of our competition.”
Securing an Industry-Leading Competitive Advantage
Implementing a 3D online catalog enabled Dynetic Systems to new customers and transact business more efficiently.
“Essentially, there were no other small motor companies that made motor models instantly available over the web through an easy-to-use application,” notes Meemken. “3D PartStream.NET is helping us to grow our business, while at the same time building an industry-leading, technologically advanced image and reputation.”
Don Tarca is a product designer with Lindgren-Pitman, a manufacturer of commercial fishing equipment located in Pompano Beach, FL. By downloading motor models from Dynetic Systems, he cut four weeks from the development cycle for the S-1200 motorized fishing reel, and also reduced prototypes and development costs.
“I found Dynetic Systems by doing web searches and downloaded some motor models for use during conceptual design,” Tarca explains. “As development progressed, Dynetic Systems suggested some alternative, more affordable solutions that helped me to increase efficiency, improve heat-transfer performance, and reduce costs.
“I always prefer dealing with manufacturers who provide models for download,” Tarca adds. “That way, you get an accurate model and do not have to redraw the model yourself.”
Tripling Business with the Same Sales Force
Since its online catalog went live in 2004, Dynetic Systems has achieved annual sales increases of more than 30%. Customers and prospects downloaded more than 9,000 CAD models in just the first two years. Because the availability of online models condenses and automates the sales cycle, the company has been able to support its rapid growth with the same sales force.
“We have nearly tripled our revenue with the same number of salespeople,” Meemken points out. “Even though we have expanded our product line and added staff to support the increase in product development, our sales force has remained exactly the same. Because 3D PartStream.NET replaces much of the busywork that used to consume our salespeople, we are able to sustain the increased level of business with the same number of people. Today, our sales staff works with customers who are already using our models, suggesting alternatives and optimizing solutions, instead of starting from scratch.”
Reduced Lead Costs, More Efficient Operations
The impact of 3D PartStream.NET on Dynetic Systems’ operations is widespread. In addition to increasing leads by 250% each year and reducing the cost-per-sold-lead by 66%, the online catalog supports a new, simplified product-numbering system that impacts all facets of the company’s operations.
“3D PartStream.NET has helped us to improve operations and extend market reach,” Meemken says. “International requests have grown from around 10-50%, and we are selling motors to customers in countries where we had no business until now.”
Dynetic Systems’ models are also available through 3D ContentCentralSM, a free online service from SolidWorks Corp. For more than 500,000 design engineers worldwide who use SolidWorks® software, 3D ContentCentral provides instant access to downloadable 2D and 3D CAD parts from leading component manufacturers.
