With everything going on in the world it seems like 2021 just flew by, at least it felt like that for me anyway. However as fast as it seemed to go, the Samtec Web team managed to create a lot of really cool upgrades for its users.
Here is a list of some of the coolest upgrades we pushed out to Samtec.com in 2021. Enjoy!
When We Created a Bulk Add to Cart Tool
We started off with a nice addition to our Cart tool which allows users to add up to 25 products in bulk by using a copy and paste command from a spreadsheet.
Users can copy and paste up to 25 products and quantities and add them all to the cart with a single click. This is a huge time saver for procurement users who have a list of parts to buy quickly.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/you-can-now-copy-and-paste-part-numbers-in-bulk-into-your-samtec-shopping-cart/
When We Partnered With Octopart to Upgrade Our Search
Prior to this upgrade, a drawback of our keyword search was that most keywords outside of part numbers resulted in the user landing on a series, then needing to configure that series to move forward. It was useful, but needed more.
Through a partnership with Octopart, we rolled out the ability for users to search by keyword and get a list of full part numbers returned. Users can even take advantage of parametric filters to narrow down their results.
This now allows users to get to a direct part number in just a few seconds from the Samtec search.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/samtec-keyword-search-gets-a-major-improvement-powered-by-octopart/
When We Made It Easier to Find Alternative Packaging Options and Similar Parts
Samtec has literally trillions of different possibilities of part numbers that you can create. Some of those part numbers will modify things like the packaging your product arrives in, or the cable length of the product. These are small details but definitely matter.
To help with this, we rolled out a tool that users will find on each relevant product page that shows a grid of part numbers that are similar to the one the user is currently viewing. This grid will show packaging differences, cable length differences, whether or not the part qualifies for our Reserve program of stocked parts, and more.
This is another feature that can save users a lot of time to make sure they get the exact product they need online.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/need-a-different-packaging-option-were-making-it-easier/
When We Built a New Video Search Experience
With hundreds of videos to choose from across all types of different subjects, Samtec has an extensive and deep video library. Earlier this year we upgraded the search to allow users to open all of our videos in a new tab and play each one on a dedicated page. This was a nice upgrade vs the modal they played in previously.
This allows users to open several videos at once and view them one by one, as well as save and share the links more easily.
We also did some cool behind-the-scenes performance upgrades with this update, which made this application much faster and virtually automated the entire video upload process to Samtec.com. Very cool.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/try-the-new-videos-experience-on-samtec-com/
When We Created a Product Applications Section of the Website
Samtec serves dozens of different industries, from Automotive, to Military, to Testing, to Industrial, and more. Customers often ask which types of products will work best in these types of applications.
With this section of the website, we’re now answering that question. There are currently 8 different pages that will direct users to content on how we support these specific industries. We’ll show you current applications of products that are already in use, and we’ll show you what products to look at on our website for your needs in these industries.
We’ll also make sure you’re able to get in touch with our product support experts along the way.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/samtec-launches-new-applications-based-microsite/
When We Upgraded Your Online Profile to a New System
The previous version of our profile system was built over 10 years ago. This new system replaces that legacy code and paves to way for many useful new features for users.
We’ve already added better address management, login credential and email preference management, shipping options, and currency options to this profile, as well as the ability to set preferred distributors and model types.
We’ll be adding a lot more to this system to support our users in 2022.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/welcome-to-your-new-samtec-com-profile-system/
When We Built a Dedicated Tool for Searching Flexible Stacking Products
Samtec has more ways to stack two or more boards together than any other connector company. Our manufacturing process allows us to position the plastic body on the terminal pin in increments of .005” (0.13 mm) on standard dual-body stacking connectors and on standard terminal strips (“headers”). Designers can create standard part numbers for very precise, non-industry-standard-board stacking heights.
While this flexibility is an incredible offering, it can make it difficult to sort through all of these.
Fortunately, we’ve solved this problem with our Flex Stack Solutionator that we released in 2021. Using this tool users can answer a few very simple questions in a visual manner, and filter results down from hundreds of thousands to just a few, all in under a minute.
The result is a mated set that will fit your application exactly as you requested.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/new-connector-search-gives-you-a-mated-connector-set-in-seconds/
When We Completely Rebuilt Our Product Detail Page
Our Series and Product Detail Pages are some of the most heavily used on our website. These pages are responsible for allowing users to configure, sample, model, and purchase Samtec products.
Prior to this upgrade, we had been running the previous version for about 5 years. With all of the new features and capabilities we added over time, it was time for an upgrade.
We rolled out these pages to create a cleaner widescreen layout, moved the configurator and call-to-action buttons, rolled out a new combined eCAD / mCAD configurator, upgraded the pricing display area, and much more.
The result is a page that is much easier to use and easier on the eyes.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/upgraded-product-page-designs-makes-samtec-products-even-easier-to-configure-sample-and-buy/
When We Created a Brand New RF Cable Builder
Samtec’s RF offering has been growing at a rapid rate over the last few years. From Board Connectors to Cable Connectors, to Cable Assemblies, and a variety of creative problem-solving Original Solutions, as well as our industry-leading customer service and support, Samtec is well-positioned to be your RF partner.
With this new application that we released in the fall of 2021, building an RF cable is easier than ever before. The RF Solutionator allows users to start with an end option, pair it up with a valid cable option, and then allows the user to configure the rest of the cable using our configurator tool.
From there users can see technical data, and take actions on the part that was configured.
You can read more about this upgrade here – https://blog.samtec.com/post/build-your-custom-rf-cables-on-samtec-com-with-our-new-rf-solutionator/
Coming Soon to Samtec.com
That does it for 2021! Thanks for reading.
Here is what we’re currently working on, and a few other updates that are coming soon!
- Continued upgrades to our e-commerce experience throughout the website
- Updated capabilities to manage profiles online
- Upgraded checkout features
- An update to our Quotes system
- A new way to find High-Speed Board-to-Board mated sets
- And more!
Keep an eye out for these updates and more coming soon.
Drop your email address in the form below if you want to stay in the loop with these updates, and as well as the rest of our blog content.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for our web team, feel free to send an email at eHelpDesk@samtec.com.
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