crossbase API Server for Typo3 Website at OASE GmbH

Hörstel 21 December 2017: Founded in 1949, OASE GmbH sets the standards for pump and water technology. Today, it is one of the leading global brands when it comes to water gardens and fountains. Its innovative, high quality products are designed to meet the exacting requirements of professional landscape designers, ambitious amateur gardeners and pond enthusiasts alike. Alongside drainage and irrigation, and aquariums, OASE provides an innovative range of exciting products and services for almost every possible house and garden application. The company is represented world-wide by numerous brands in more than 20 languages. Its 11 subsidiaries serve clients in Europe, Asia and the USA, with 50% of its revenues achieved from exports.

Central functions of the solution

Provision of data for Typo3 with API server

OASE's website was previously linked to the old PIM system. The interface has been customized by implementing the new crossbase PIM system.

The data for the Zeitspringer agency is provided from the crossbase database via an API server. For details of how the language-, country- and market-specific online catalogs are created.

Technically, the website has been implemented using the crossbase API server, which provides data via REST services and Typo3 CMS. OASE offers around 1,500 products on its website, currently in 8 languages (more languages to be added soon).

Users select products and the latest releases according to the application, and products are displayed with descriptive texts and tiles. Detailed information is displayed about the selected product, including product characteristics, detailed photos and videos, technical data and links to accessories, spare parts, user guides, etc. Items are displayed with their price (RSP), and they can be ordered from a selectable specialist dealer.

The technology behind it all

The crossbase API holds the data ready for use in a cache, to enable fast live access for the website. This is achieved with a service running on a server. This service can be called over defined ports, and the data can be returned when called via REST services. Here, the data is prepared using defined DTOs ("data transfer objects"), and then transferred in the required form. The DTOs are globally defined, and are also intended for use in other online applications. Typical DTOs include:

Output all relevant languages and countries for selection
Output the tree structure for navigation
Output an overview of all items offered for sale, for comparison and selection
Output media and text information about the tree structure and items offered for sale
Output price information about the items offered for sale
Return the results of industry-specific and non-industry-specific searches, for search engine optimization