Update note: RDP hosting has been replaced by JTL-Wawi Cloud; status: 08.2021
If you want to use JTL-Wawi, originally a desktop application, as a hosting solution, you can use JTL itself or our partners. In this blog post, we use a case study to show you when the hosting solution from a third-party provider is particularly worthwhile. We would like to thank our service and hosting partner wnm for this best-practice example.
The initial situation: Several locations
BierSelect brings local breweries to the online business
BierSelect was founded as an online business of the North German brewery associations – with the aim of making local breweries known nationwide and opening up a larger sales market. Germany is a country of breweries and many breweries in this country are still family-run. BierSelect.de supports these brands and also sells unknown types of beer via its own online store.
Two warehouses and one office - 160 km apart
The concept proves to be a success: BierSelect’s figures are convincing and continuous growth soon sets in. A larger storage area is urgently required. For this reason, the main warehouse in Hamburg, which also houses the office, is soon joined by a second warehouse in the small town of Peine, 160 km away.
However, setting up a decentralized warehouse turned out to be a real challenge for the online retailer. Fortunately, wnm, JTL’s long-standing service partner and hosting provider, had a suitable solution at the ready. With this solution, customers throughout Germany can be supplied with regional beer specialties from the new warehouse.
The solution: Cloud server & RDP
The technical possibilities at a glance
JTL-Wawi can be operated as a single-user or multi-user solution. In the case of multi-user solutions, customers can choose between two variants: either to run only the database on a server or to operate the database together with the ERP itself. The latter is possible with so-called RDP hosting. RDP stands for Remote Desktop Protocol and enables the display and control of screen content on a remote computer.
In our case, this means that the JTL-Wawi software runs on a powerful, well-maintained server and the BierSelect employees operate the ERP remotely. Of course, this requires a solid Internet connection – because without the Internet, there is no RDP access.
RDP with a partner instead of ``self-administered`` option
Due to the distributed office and storage space as well as for cooperation withBierSelect therefore requires a multi-user solution. Employees should be able to access the shared database and the merchandise management system from the main office in Hamburg as well as from both warehouses.
BierSelect first buys its own serverto implement its multi-user solution – and the employees make every effort to set up the server correctly. However, the first problems soon became apparent: Because without the necessary specialist knowledge, setting up a server can be very time-consuming. Often not all optimization options are used or the setup of a professional, low-maintenance backup causes difficulties. If errors then occur during operation, the retailer is on his own.
In addition, setting up your own server incurs costs: for example, for electricity, administration and maintenance work, high-performance hardware or the appropriate infrastructure. For example, climate-controlled rooms may be required to securely house the technology in the long term.
Even for larger online stores, running their own server is therefore rarely profitable. In order to improve the cost-benefit balance, BierSelect went in search of a more cost-effective alternative that was also user-friendly. Hosting expert wnm advised the team to use a cloud server with RDP hosting. In this case, the server is not operated on site at the retailer, but in an environment administered by wnm – including a backup server in another data center.
Host a JTL-Shop with a partner
In addition to ERP, BierSelect also has its online store managed by wnm. JTL itself offers hosting of the JTL-Shop editions Community Free and Standard. However, if you use our Professional or Enterprise editions, have special hosting requirements or are looking for individual framework conditions, you will often find a more suitable solution in a partner offer.
In everyday life: Hosting with support & service
Full service and automated backup
JTL also operates its own servers and offers customers RDP hosting for JTL-Wawi. However, while JTL has so far focused on solid solutions for standard cases, partner agencies offer a more comprehensive range of services.
Thus, wnm is not only a specialist for hosting solutions, but also takes care of setup, installation, maintenance and support, maintenancebackup and support for almost all JTL products. BierSelect is therefore not only supported in hosting issues, but also in general when software problems arise in everyday life.
If, for example, the ERP and online store suddenly come to a standstill or exhibit unusual behavior, a full-service agency can investigate the problem on several levels. If performance problems are identified, the partner can clarify step by step whether the causes are to be found in the server, the software, a setup or even the data volumes.
Full-service contracts also allow the online retailer to concentrate on its core business on a day-to-day basis – while the agency keeps the business running in terms of software technology.
Differences to the hosting offer at JTL
Server maintenance is largely different for partner agencies than for JTL:
As a technology provider, JTL ensures that the hardware used for its in-house hosting providers is redundant and fail-safe. However, with JTL, hosting customers must keep the applications on the server up to date themselves, such as the operating system or the ERP. The customer remains the sole decision-maker and executor here.
Partners, on the other hand, often offer what is known as managed hosting, where, for example, certain adjustments such as Windows or security updates are carried out regularly by the partner after consultation. Customers can also have additional software installed on their server or order updates to the latest version of the ERP. JTL does not currently offer such individual services.
In contrast, wnm offers individual hosting packages and root servers. Customers can also receive admin access on request. The solutions are scalable so that both start-ups and large companies can be served. For many customers, 24-hour emergency telephone support is also important.
A bonus of RDP: access during business appointments and when traveling
RDP hosting brings another advantage: sales figures and other statistics are now also available to BierSelect during external business appointments, when traveling or abroad. RDP allows access via smartphone, tablet or notebook. All you need is the Microsoft Remote Desktop application and a good internet connection.
Growth: scalable solutions
A new idea: fulfillment listing for breweries
After the warehouse was set up and the hosting operation was easily managed by wnm, the BierSelect employees quickly came up with ideas for expanding their business. In addition to operating the online store, they would like to expand the business model with a fulfillment listing.
BierSelect sees potential here, as smaller breweries often face risks when entering the online business. The team would therefore like to lower the barrier to entry by providing this target group with a platform for sales including shipping. Excitingly, even well-known breweries were interested in the listing.
So that they can manage the new fulfillment customers well, BierSelect would like an interface to the warehouse management system used by JTL. This should facilitate the integration of stocks and the management of fulfillment customers.
The service partner as a supporter in fulfillment relationships
As a multi-certified service partner, wnm can set up theJTL-WMS warehouse management system for online retailers in addition to hosting, online store and ERP. This is because the additional business model of fulfillment places high demands on BierSelect’s logistics. The warehouse of a fulfilment service provider must be smartly organized to ensure a smooth workflow and quick access to every item. Without a professional software solution, fulfillment providers quickly reach their limits.
In the fulfillment context, qualified service partners can also advise their customers, i.e. set up the ERP systems of retailers or manufacturers who want to store with the fulfillment service provider. At present, wnm has still created its own interfaces between the ERPs; in future, this will be possible in a standardized way via the JTL-Fulfillment Network. However, the partners are dependent on the progress of JTL development and the official release.
The bottom line: everything from a single source
The partner as a contact who keeps an eye on everything
Quite a few online retailers work with several agencies – each of them specialists in their field. However, this means that the customer can have a large number of contact partners: JTL’s in-house customer service helps with errors in the JTL products, while the service partner can answer both support and operating questions. For other problems, the customer service of the hosting provider must also be consulted.
Finding a solution where all areas work well together can be a major hurdle for retailers. Many customers praise the extensive support and fast cooperation with wnm, which focuses on the customer – and thus the full-service listing.
Hosting as a solution for many challenges
Experts agree that the workplace of the future will no longer be location-bound and that employees will want flexible access to important programs and data from any location. With RDP hosting, software that has been established and mature for years and relies on the Microsoft operating system can be used in today’s mobile world.
Cloud hosting is an exciting option for enabling growth for online retailers. This is because the service can be scaled individually and flexibly according to the requirements of the retailer or fulfilment service provider.
Generally speaking, hosting by experts allows existing working time to be used even more efficiently and the focus to remain on the Company’s core business.
Kevin Walke, Managing Director of wnm, draws a personal conclusion:
We are pleased to be able to offer online retailers a highly functional solution with our RDP hosting. The success of customers such as BierSelect.de encourages us to continue working on optimizing our listing. We will therefore continue to focus on maximum user-friendliness and the highest level of service in order to provide our eCommerce customers with the decisive advantage and enable an even greater number of merchants to use JTL products.
