Originally published in Äripäev’s Tööstusuudised.ee
Saku Metall kicked off the year with a digital leap by adopting the Wenture visual product configurator for selling their products. Integrated into both the sales and production processes, the configurator helped generate nearly 30 quote requests in its very first month.
According to Hans Villemi, product manager at Saku Metall, selling complex lifting solutions used to be time-consuming, as customers often struggled to determine which option best fit their space and needs:
“Previously, it could take days of back-and-forth to finalize an order.”
To streamline the process, they implemented a web-based product configurator – a tool that allows customers to define product parameters, check compatibility, visualize their selections in real time, and place orders within minutes. The configurator bridges the gap between sales and production, improving efficiency in handling complex products.
From Excel Sheets to an Interactive Saku Metall Configurator
Before this digital transformation, Saku Metall relied on a basic Excel spreadsheet for product information and options.
“While we had the data internally, it wasn’t easily accessible to customers,” Villemi explains. “As a result, the product often remained unclear – especially for more complex projects. We needed something intuitive, even on first use.”
Saku Metall turned to the Wenture visual configurator – a ready-made platform adapted to their product range and implemented with a modern 3D graphics engine. Now, customers can choose door sizes, window placement, colors, and additional features in real time – and instantly see how the door opens and moves.
Wenture project manager Mihkel Jaaniste said the goal was to build a tool that is fast, reliable, and error-free:
“Watching the product update live – in shape, price, and appearance – is a completely different experience than reading a static spec sheet.”
Orders Go Straight to Production
Since its launch in March 2025, the configurator has significantly changed how Saku Metall operates. It now enables customers to place 90–95% of orders independently, without having to consult a sales engineer about every detail.
“Previously, much of our time went into answering repetitive questions and confirming standard options,” says Villemi.
Today, the workflow is much faster and less prone to error – only accurate, validated data reaches production, automatically generated based on the customer’s selections. All necessary drawings and technical data are created at the same time.
The digital solution also reduces dependence on a large sales team:
“More questions are now resolved directly in the configurator, which frees our people to focus on high-value tasks like developing the sales process, nurturing client relationships, and managing complex custom projects,” Villemi explains.
The Industry Is Moving Toward Visual Tools
Saku Metall’s experience reflects a broader trend in manufacturing: the growing adoption of visual and interactive tools. Villemi notes that customer expectations are evolving too – people want a faster, clearer, and more self-guided buying journey.
“Manufacturers are shifting toward direct sales and away from manually controlled processes,” Villemi notes.
However, he emphasizes that successful digital development also depends on having well-managed product data.
Jaaniste adds that a visual product configurator lays a solid foundation for the future – enabling automated quotes, AI-driven design suggestions, and faster production planning. Similar tools can be customized for other manufacturers to simplify sales and ordering processes.
Companies looking to offer a faster, smoother ordering experience – while reducing their sales team’s workload – can take inspiration from the Saku Metall configurator.
Try the Saku Metall configurator: https://cfg.sakumetall.ee/configurator
See if a similar configurator would suit your business: https://wenture.io/en/configure/
