Website: http://www.pfingstco.com/
Key Features:
- Searchable online catalog of over 6,000 items
- Clean design with strong branding
- Dynamically generated PDFs for product pages
- Custom website framework meets the client’s unique needs
- Custom database tables for industry-specific data fields
- Administrative back-end allows client to make updates
- Connect via social media
- Easy to navigate
Case Study:
Pfingst & Company, Inc. is the sole North American distributor for Busch Burs, a German manufacturer of high quality rotary tools. Pfingst & Co. also distributes diamond burs from Horico, polishers from Edenta, and a broad range of dental instruments and tools.
Prior to our development of their current website, Pfingst & Co. relied on printed catalogs and an outdated website which lacked any ability to filter or search for products effectively. Important details about their products, such as bur shape, material, and size, were combined together in one data entry field in their accounting system. With no content management system driving their website, many current products were completely missing from their online catalog. Different products were grouped together in single web photos with no way to programmatically determine product numbers and details for comprehensive search functionality.
Our first step to develop a new website for Pfingst & Company was to gather all of the product data from their accounting database. We also collected copies of relevant printed catalogs and brochures, including those produced by Pfingst & Company, Busch, Horico, and Edenta. In addition, we accessed PDF files online for additional Busch, Horico, and Edenta products. Upon analyzing all of this information, we determined a relational database structure to handle product numbers, shapes, sizes, shank types, grits, cuts, materials, and manufacturers. Next, we programmatically extracted information from their accounting database, splitting it into appropriate fields. We gathered photos for over 1,000 products and created a naming convention to link each photo with the product in the database. We also processed about 3,000 size photos to display in tables alongside the burs. In the rotary tool industry, ISO numbers have become more and more prevalent for determining standards for bur material, shape, size, cut, grit, and shank type. In order to recognize this move toward standardization, the five components for bur ISO numbers were integrated into the database and website as well.
Upon organizing the product data, the navigational structure for Pfingst & Company’s new website became clear. Existing categories from their accounting database were used to determine the first and second levels of navigation. They requested that bur shape be used as the next level for Busch, Horico, and Edenta burs. Upon selecting the desired bur shape, users are presented with the appropriate products. A regular search box as well as an advanced search feature help visitors find products quickly.
Each category and product page on Pfingstco.com is driven by PHP and a MySQL database. Each product page highlights a product photo, description, and a table containing the Pfingst item order number(s). The tables containing multiple bur sizes meet the current standards for responsive design. As the page narrows, sizes drop down to the next row and the visual keys at the start of each table row are dynamically updated. Visitors to the website can also access a dynamically generated PDF of each product, which draws current information directly from the database.
The staff at Pfingst & Company can make updates through a custom coded administrative area, including adding and removing products, specs, sizes, photos, and other product information. They can also mark products as “Available”, “Discontinued”, or “While Supplies Last”, giving their customers an easy way to check what is in stock. (A full inventory system was outside the scope of this project.)
In addition to developing a new website on Pfingstco.com, we also set up several social media pages for Pfingst & Company.
Pfingstco.com was developed in collaboration with our content creation and SEO partners.
Popular pages on Pfingst & Company include:
