Brochures are no longer flying
The solution offered by Majer’s technology is also available for sellers and traders who utilize physical spaces for their activities. The need to rent or own premises could one day disappear forever thanks to virtual and augmented reality. Or it could at least be minimized: "We do not force our customers to completely transform into the online space. We think about how to expand the possibilities of existing showrooms."
Not only can this way save up to tens of percent, but sellers can also more easily connect with the customers themselves. And literally. "Instead of large spaces outside of Prague, they can find much more lucrative ones somewhere in Karlín. Maybe the size of 50 to 60 meters," states the founder, adding that this step also has a positive impact on the environment to a certain extent, as a more modest operation and limited logistics can reduce the carbon footprint. Moreover, the number of necessary employees in these halls can also be reduced.
An additional plus is also the fact that for example, engineering companies do not need to have their products physically in stock, as they sell them based on a digital twin. "One room can be shared by multiple companies. And given that it will be intelligent in itself and guide the customer through the entire purchasing process, you can have a designed bathroom or selected car in just 20 minutes," Major points out.
From cars to construction machines
The purchase of a new vehicle was not mentioned by Major by chance. He originally wanted to focus solely on the automotive sector. However, the deeper he immersed himself in the area of 3D e-commerce, the better his idea of the real potential for other possible industries became. And although he initially aimed his hardware more at companies, it turned out that the product is also lucrative for sales representatives, who are able to serve customers in a significantly more efficient way using it. "They don’t carry brochures and samples with them; instead, they have a sleek tablet," explains the head of iShowroom.cz.
One of his fundamental requirements was for the hardware to be accessible even on a smartphone costing five thousand crowns. "I try to look at it from the customers' perspective; I certainly do not want to push anyone into costly hardware," he says. The starter package, which includes roughly three months of work, his company currently offers for about 50 thousand euros (1.2 million crowns), but depending on the complexity and volume of the order, the price can rise into the hundreds of thousands.
As for profitability, iShowroom.cz has been in the black practically from the first month of its three-year operation, despite the high costs, which are, according to the founder’s words, quite unusual for a startup.
"We need to have top-notch people at the company and they come at a price," he comments, noting that they have not yet had to draw on the investment of 300 thousand euros (approximately 7.3 million crowns) that the company received at its start. This year, they also expect a turnover of around 15 million crowns. "Our EBITDA is relatively high, amounting to two million crowns last year," he concludes.
