Shaping the digital future of the CNC industry ORDERFOX

SHAPING THE DIGITAL FUTURE OF THE CNC INDUSTRy

ORDERFOX.com is the largest global Internet platform for companies within the CNC industry, connecting manufacturers and buyers and highlighting new opportunities simply and quickly, by using intelligent filter functions. With this solution, community members can actively manage the challenges of the progressing digitalisation and Industry 4.0.

With ORDERFOX.com, the Liechtensteiner digital experts of ORDERFOX AG launched a unique, globally oriented online platform for the metalworking industry. The world´s largest CNC related database provides CNC manufacturers, buyers and their related industries with potential new business opportunities, while using intelligent filter functions to search for just the right buyers and CNC manufacturers that fit within their specified requirements. They can specify their search criteria by selecting areas related to materials, workpiece size, technology, certification requirements, location and even the type of delivery.

“Since we launched ORDERFOX.com at the beginning of June in 2017, we have had a very intense and exciting year,” says Mr Bernd Schuler, Managing Director of ORDERFOX AG. “We decided to ‘jump in’ and show the world who we are and what we do with a booth at EMO 2017 in Hannover. We knew right away we had something special, as the feedback from the market was extremely positive. As people started to realise through demos at the show what the ORDERFOX.com platform was about and what it was capable of, they got hooked.”

Currently ORDERFOX.com has more than 2600 registered users from 69 countries. It is the largest search engine specifically designed for the CNC industry, with more than 800,000 produced CNC parts to date. The platform continues to grow globally, with steadily rising attention from companies as both CNC manufacturers and buyers see the relevance and benefits for their operations.

“Since the start in June 2017, ORDERFOX.com has transformed the platform into 25 language versions, added a Global Tradeshow & Event Calendar, a Knowledge & Trends section, the Autodesk ForgeTM Viewer as well as the recently added Machinery Exchange for New and Used Machines to the platform,” explains Mr Schuler. “In addition, we are developing a Career Centre and an Innovative Communication Tool, all scheduled to be launched in 2018. ORDERFOX.com also just expanded into the Woodworking Industry, with additional industries to follow. This offers a lot of additional market potential for the CNC industry and related companies.”

unique of its kind

What make this particular platform so different from similar tools? “ORDERFOX.com has been developed based on many years of industry know-how and a sound understanding of CNC-related global markets. As mentioned earlier, the members can search for and find the right production partners and resources either locally or globally, with the biggest differentiator being that it is 100 per cent free to use,” explains Mr Schuler.

He further points out that the platform follows a global usability strategy, and offers localised versions in 25 languages, so each

user can work within their local language, as well as other countryspecific characteristics – such as the different measurement systems (imperial versus metric).

“ORDERFOX.com is the ‘Internet of the CNC Industry’ for a reason, and that is because what we offer to the CNC Industrial sector has not been done before. We make searching for specific information, partners and resources easy and efficient, without the unnecessary hurdles of basic and general web searches. With the addition of resources like our global Trade Show & Event Calendar for example, members have the ability to include in-house events viewable globally into the platform and publicise their events for free.”

Another specific feature is the Knowledge & Trends area, providing content through developed partnerships, related to important industry news, research and specialist articles. As Mr Schuler points out, new features are added on a regular basis. “In the Free Global Machinery Exchange that has just been launched members can quickly and easily find the right new or used machine with the help of the Advanced Search and Intelligent Filter functions. Members can not only search but also advertise their own machines within the latest free feature accessible on the platform.”

Valued partnerships

The majority of members are currently located in Europe, as this is where the platform was launched first, before expanding to Asia and the USA in late 2017. However, both of the latter regions are growing fast. “It is crucial that we provide a network for the industry on a global scale, as we see ORDERFOX.com as truly a borderless platform designed to connect manufacturing companies and the procurement industry partners around the world,” says Mr Schuler.

He confirms that effective cooperation is the way forward – as demonstrated by the recently signed partnership with the global player Autodesk. “For shaping the digital future of the CNC industry ORDERFOX.com offers great business potential and invites companies worldwide to become strategic partners. The global player Autodesk® has already recognised the endless possibilities, and this brings vast benefits to both parties – including added value for customers and users of both companies,” Mr Schuler comments.

“As mentioned earlier, we are the ‘Internet of the CNC Industry’ and welcome any industry participants that bring value to our members, regardless if they are buyers, CNC manufacturers, suppliers, associations, magazines or any other type of operators. If such partnerships bring value to our members, we are more than happy to entertain those,” he concludes.