It may be the most exclusive meeting in the world of customer experience: the "Rendezvous with a Pioneer" event format, hosted by Sybit and SAP. On March 21, 2023, the Swiss heritage company Kistler opened its headquarters in Winterthur for an intimate gathering. This small group of 15 participants enjoyed a unique behind-the-scenes look at how Kistler is pioneering the future of B2B e-commerce.
Dave Stucki, Head of BU Test & Measurement and Head of BU E-Business at Kistler Holding AG, was especially pleased with the opportunity for professional exchange: "Few event formats allow for such quick, personal connections with like-minded individuals. I’m thrilled we could engage in such in-depth discussions about B2B e-commerce."
The event's highlight was Kistler Group’s success story, which formed the basis for the day’s discussions. The world market leader in dynamic measurement technology for capturing pressure, force, torque, and acceleration faced the ambitious challenge of launching a new website with a fully integrated catalog and shop in a single "big bang" rollout — worldwide, including China. Their approach was to leverage a unified technological foundation for both website and e-commerce functions. Together with Sybit, they implemented the SAP Commerce Cloud as a comprehensive technical backbone. Key project highlights include:
- Fully integrated shop within the website
- New UX and design
- Product configuration options in the shop
- Headless UI
- Centralized system for managing country-specific differences through an advanced permissions model
- Extensive integration with supporting systems (image data, CAD data, SAP ERP, marketing activities)
- Comprehensive SEO management pre-launch
Following the case study presentation, an intensive roundtable discussion took place, moderated by Peter Dußling, Head of Sales at Sybit, who reflected on the day's insights: "What impressed me most from among the many success factors is the consistency demonstrated throughout this multi-year journey. The team’s ability to quickly align the organization with emerging needs, and their measured approach with KPIs when goals are missed, truly stand out."
The day concluded with a tour of Kistler's production facilities, a fitting close to the formal part of the visit. Participants then moved seamlessly into an informal evening of networking and an Apéro to wrap up the experience.