Pedders Suspension
& Brakes is an Australian family-owned company that has been operating since 1950. Its 120
plus franchise and dealer store network prides itself on offering “No Bull” aftermarket
parts and tailored vehicle solutions in these key automotive aftermarket product categories:
Shock Absorbers, Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Wheel Alignment & Towbars.
Challenges
Despite their expertise and expansion, Pedders faced significant operational
bottlenecks:
1. Fragmented systems
Disparate systems across franchises hindered unified operations.
2. Manual processes
Reliance on paper-based workflows caused delays and errors.
3. Customer communication gaps
Limited functionality for effective follow-ups and engagement.
4. Lack of business Insights
Franchisees struggled with inadequate tools for data-driven decisions.
Goal and Scope
The project aimed to unify front-end and back-office processes into a seamless platform.
Key objectives included:
Real-time access to inventory, customer data, and vehicle history.
Improved customer communication and engagement.
Intuitive, tablet-first interface design for mobility.
Efficient data migration and minimal operational disruption.
Methods
To address these challenges, the team implemented a multi-phase approach:
Stakeholder interviews and System analysis
To identify pain points and workflow inefficiencies.
Integrated platform design:
Using Pronto Xi ERP for a centralised data source, coupled with a cohesive
digital design system.
User-Centric development:
Prototyping, testing, and incorporating real-time features
like PartsDB integration, vehicle assessment checklists, and CRM functionality.
Feedback loops
Regular focus groups and qualitative feedback from the Pedders community ensured
alignment with user needs.
Atomic design approach
Key features included
Consistent support for CRUD operations across all modules, despite the challenges of
a monolithic architecture.
The creation of a comprehensive UI kit and design documentation for Cognos
dashboards.
Enhanced datagrid screens, addressing a core usability component within the system.
A desktop-first approach that could be applied to mobile apps and POS systems as
collateral.
Outcomes
The redesigned system yielded transformative results:
Operational efficiency
Tablet-first design reduced paper dependency and improved data
accessibility, with seamless front-end and back-office integration.
Enhanced customer engagement:
Transparent communications via SMS, email, and detailed vehicle assessments
boosted satisfaction and trust.
Business growth
Comprehensive insights empowered franchisees to generate leads and close
deals effectively. The intuitive platform and training program ensured smooth adoption.
Key Metrics
90%
Active user logins
4.0
User satisfaction score
50%
Reduction in error rates
98%
Data accuracy
50%
Increase in customer bookings
< 3
Hours training time for new users
Conclusion
The eight-month initiative transformed Pedders’ operations by
addressing core
inefficiencies, fostering customer trust, and driving business growth. Continuous
improvement ensures the platform evolves with the company’s expanding needs, reinforcing
Pedders’ competitive edge in the automotive aftermarket industry.
Operator view - Bookings
Booking details
Customer management
Vehicle management
Project information
Industry
Automotive
Duration
Fixed - 8 months
Team
1 UX Designer
1 Senior UI Designer
2 Developers
Responsibilities
Design System
Prototypes
UI Floorplans
Users
Mechanics
Specialised-Technicians
Tools
"Working with Carmelo was a game-changer for us during a
critical time on large-scale projects. He excelled at transforming complex ERP data
into intuitive designs that aligned perfectly with our business objectives. He
consistently delivered high-quality work on time with minimal revisions, exceeding
our client's expectations even from vague briefs. His reliability, creativity, and
professionalism made them an invaluable partner."
Raymond Clifton-Dobing
Operation Team Lead
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