www.sbsonline.net – Phase Two Award Winning Success

We at Smith Brothers have taken our now award-winning online customer portal (www.sbsonline.net) to the next level with our phase two launch, which incorporated new key features including:

• Enabling online ordering for same day collections and next day deliveries
• Real time depot stock information
• SKUs populated with helpful information and documents

Why we continue to invest in our digital infrastructure?

With emerging digital technologies and since the Covid-19 pandemic, customers thirst for real-time information, accessible 24/7, has driven the demand for businesses to offer an increased digitalisation service.

This is why we launched our unique online portal to our customer base in 2022, an additional service designed to offer customers a more effortless business experience. Until the platform was developed, customers could only deal with the business during working hours. Whereas now, the portal allows users to access their account information, pay invoices and with phase two’s release, place orders online, whenever it is convenient for them. Providing our client base with a business experience without boundaries.

Why our portal is different?

To date, Smith Brothers are the only commercial lightside merchant to show so much live data to the general public, such as companywide and branch location stock information, for example large-size weld fittings, cast iron drainage and 6.5m steel tube.

Many of the products available to view and purchase are also populated with helpful information to assist customers to make a more educated purchase. This data can also help share vital information to the wider construction industry, wanting to check product quality and standards. Code information such as; MPN, Gtin/EAN and TSI are available. Links and documents to Luckins, literature, WRAS certificates, data sheets and much more are also available. Examples of these features can be seen within the links below:

• https://sbsonline.net/15nb-core750-ball-valve-blue-lever-wras
• https://sbsonline.net/15mm-xpress-copper-elbow-s12
• www.sbsonline.net/cast-iron-drainage
• www.sbsonline.net/viega

How our supply chain utilises our portal?

Manufacturers are also benefitting using the platform housed on the front end to track where their products are located within the national SBS branch network. Ultimately, the introduction of the SBS Portal has prompted even closer working relationships between Smith Brothers Stores, manufacturer supply chain and customers, all through the power of digital technology.

Another innovative feature is the customisation available for each user within their account. Depending on seniority, customers wanted different access levels for staff, ensuring confidential information was only available for the relevant personnel. Therefore, SBS developed specific roles and permissions that were fit for purpose, adequately fulfilling the customer demand. Depending on account level access approved, users can access anything from accounts information and POD’s, through to ordering and paying invoices.

Industry Recognition

New technology can often be a challenge to gain traction within the industry, however the growth of user numbers has shown no sign of stopping. The platform is regularly used out of hours, with both payments and orders continuing to be actioned at evenings and weekends. The service has recently gain recognition at the Construction Excellence awards, winning the 2023 Innovation Award for East Midlands, a real HVAC success story!!