New study shows that 80% of engineers' product selection is determined by the manufacturer's website and the quality of digital data
CADENAS USA has released the results of a survey of engineers from more than 500 companies that shed light on how industrial buyers select and specify the parts they purchase. The results of the 2017 Industrial Sales and Marketing Report provide discrete component manufacturers with valuable insights into the buying habits of their most important audience: design engineers. The results show how important the digital customer experience is for engineers specifying products for purchase.
"Engineers and buyers in the industry tell us they expect the same digital tools and experiences they have in their personal lives," said Jay Hopper, President and COO of CADENAS USA. "Manufacturers that provide the best digital customer experience will come out on top."
By providing user-friendly tools and on-demand access to rich digital product data, manufacturers can increase sales by ensuring their products are specified for purchase early in the design process, Hopper said.
An easy path to quality data is the key to success
Engineers were asked which website features influence them most when selecting supplier parts online. The results showed that the most important features are a "simple and user-friendly website" and "native CAD model downloads", as well as the quality of product data available. Engineers want an easy way to get the accurate product information they need and get back to work.
80% of engineers choose suppliers based on the quality of native CAD data
In the survey, engineers were asked, "If a supplier doesn't offer native CAD data, what do you usually do?" 43% of engineers said they would then go to another manufacturer's website, while 37% would draw a part themselves and leave the final product selection to their purchasing department. Only 20% would take the extra step of contacting the component manufacturer to see if they can provide the data they need. This means that 80% of engineers will simply abandon their preferred manufacturer's website if the data is not readily available.
When asked "Would you choose one vendor over another because they offer native CAD models?", 73% of respondents answered "Yes". I expect manufacturers to provide models of their parts and will choose a supplier based on the availability of high quality native models.
Over 700 manufacturers use the 3Dfindit eCATALOG platform:
More than 700 manufacturers rely on CADENAS' eCATALOG 3Dfindit platform to create and deliver their digital product data. It's fast, powerful and easy to manage. Engineers love it because it delivers the most accurate digital product data available, native CAD models in 150 formats with complete product metadata. eCATALOG 3Dfindit has become the industry standard because it gives engineers the digital data they need.
Manufacturers love it because it meets customer demand, reduces pressure on internal design and attracts highly qualified marketing leads, resulting in increased sales.
"It's quite simple," says Hopper. "Companies that embrace digital transformation secure their future and win markets. For those that don't, their demise is inevitable as customer demand for digital experiences becomes the de facto standard for competing in today's market."
Unleash the power of digital transformation with 3Dfindit
The needs of engineers and buyers in the industry are constantly evolving. Staying ahead in the market requires more than just great products - it requires a seamless digital experience. CADENAS USA's eCATALOG 3Dfindit platform enables manufacturers to meet these expectations by providing rich, native CAD data in over 150 formats that make it easy for engineers to specify your parts in their designs. Don't let your products be overlooked - make sure they're considered by providing the best digital experience in the industry.
Join the 700+ manufacturers who trust CADENAS USA to deliver the tools engineers need.
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