Streamlining Software Procurement in the Automotive Industry
SDVerse is a groundbreaking B2B sales marketplace designed for the buying and selling of automotive software. Developed through a strategic collaboration between industry giants GM, Magna, and Wipro, SDVerse aims to revolutionise the automotive software sourcing and procurement process. Positioned as an independent, standard-agnostic platform, SDVerse offers a unique marketplace where Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, and other companies with relevant software offerings can connect and transact seamlessly.
The platform serves as a "matchmaking" marketplace that allows sellers to list their software products by various attributes, linking them to related or complementary offerings. Buyers, on the other hand, can search for software solutions, identify matching capabilities, explore detailed product data, compare attributes, and access on-demand media supporting the products.
SDVerse simplifies the entire process by enabling buyers and sellers to discover and evaluate software solutions efficiently, streamlining the connection and collaboration between parties in the automotive industry.
The Demand for In-App Chat: How SDVerse Identified a Critical Need
Despite its success in facilitating connections between buyers and sellers, SDVerse identified a critical gap in user experience: the absence of real-time communication within the platform. Once a connection was made, users frequently resorted to external communication channels for negotiations, risking platform leakage and lowering retention rates.
To address this, SDVerse recognized the need for an in-app chat feature that would keep users engaged within the marketplace. By integrating real-time messaging, SDVerse aimed to ensure that all discussions—from initial inquiries to complex negotiations—remained on the platform, boosting user retention and minimizing the need for external tools.
Given that SDVerse's transactions often involve detailed technical discussions, the platform required more than a basic messaging solution. Users needed to exchange sensitive information, share attachments such as product specifications, and discuss customization requirements. SDVerse sought a solution that could support these advanced communication needs while offering security, accessibility, and seamless integration into their existing platform.
How SDVerse uses cometchat
To meet the growing demand for integrated communication, SDVerse collaborated with strategy consulting firm Roland Berger, which recommended a comprehensive in-app chat solution to enhance user interaction. Following a thorough evaluation of available chat vendors, Roland Berger teamed up with Spryker, an IT consultancy firm, to conduct proof of concepts (POCs) for various options. CometChat quickly emerged as the leading choice due to its rapid implementation capabilities and flexible, feature-rich platform.
Spryker successfully integrated CometChat's intuitive widgets, enabling SDVerse to showcase a functional in-app chat within days. The smooth and quick setup demonstrated CometChat’s adaptability, making it the ideal solution for SDVerse’s communication needs.
Here’s how they transformed their marketplace into a more interactive and user-friendly environment:
1-1 chat
SDVerse users can engage in secure one-on-one conversations, facilitating private discussions tailored to individual buyer-seller interactions. This feature allows for personalized communication, ensuring specific questions, negotiations, or requests for custom solutions can be handled directly within the platform.
File sharing
Users can exchange relevant documents such as product specifications, technical data, and scripts directly within the chat interface. This feature allows for detailed, technical conversations that are necessary for software transactions, ensuring that all required information is readily accessible.
Message history
Message history retention allows users to refer back to previous conversations, access shared files, and maintain a record of ongoing negotiations. This is particularly useful for long-term discussions or complex deals, ensuring no critical information is lost or overlooked.
End-to-end encryption
To safeguard the proprietary and sensitive information often exchanged on SDVerse, CometChat employs end-to-end encryption. This guarantees that all conversations remain private, with only the intended participants able to access the content, providing peace of mind for users sharing technical data or intellectual property.
By integrating CometChat, SDVerse not only addressed the need for real-time communication but also enhanced overall user experience. Conversations, transactions, and collaborations now take place entirely within the platform, significantly reducing platform leakage, boosting user retention, and making SDVerse an even more efficient and engaging marketplace for automotive software.
