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PLATFORMS AGENCYComplex processes deserve smart systems, not workarounds.

Retailer portals, product configurators, customer portals and internal tools. pechschwarz® builds platforms that make complexity manageable and integrate seamlessly with your existing systems.

Over 500 leading brands place their trust in our agency’s platforms

WHY PLATFORMS?

A website shows who you are. A platform works for you.

Many growing businesses reach a point where a traditional website is no longer sufficient. Retailers need their own portals, customers want to configure products themselves, internal teams need tools that integrate with the ERP system, and partners need access to assets and documents. Without a well-thought-out platform architecture, this results in isolated, siloed solutions that are expensive to maintain, inconsistent in appearance and create operational bottlenecks. pechschwarz® builds platforms that bring together UX, design and system architecture, rather than treating them as separate work packages.

Figures that matter

Platforms that pay off.

Manual processes

Average reduction following the platform launch.

-43%

The self-service rate

Average increase, on average.

+51%

The systems

Seamlessly integrated for each platform.

4+

The rating

Average project rating.

4.0/5

WHAT WE BUILD

Platforms for every level of complexity.

From individual portals to complete digital ecosystems. All provided by a single team, all tailored to your system landscape.

Retailer portals

Dedicated portals for your sales partners, featuring product catalogues, ordering functions and customised access rights.

Product configurators

Interactive configurators that bring complex products to life and enable customers to order them, whilst remaining on-brand and seamlessly integrated.

Service and Customer Portals

Self-service sections for documents, invoices, support tickets and training materials.

Internal tools & dashboards

Bespoke interfaces for internal processes, from content management to reporting.

PIM & ERP Integration

Seamless integration with PIM, ERP, CRM and other systems. For consistent data and automated workflows.

API development

Custom APIs that enable your systems to communicate with one another. Scalable, maintainable, well-documented.

CHECK POTENTIAL

Which of your processes are crying out for a platform?

Many companies underestimate just how many manual processes can be automated using a well-designed platform. In our free platform assessment, we analyse your current workflows and show you where a platform can have the greatest impact.

Our process

From the initial requirements to a fully functional platform.

1

Discovery & Scoping

We analyse requirements, user groups, existing systems and integration needs. The outcome is a clear scope and a realistic roadmap.

2

Architecture & Concept

The technical architecture, data model and integration landscape are planned before the first line of code is written.

3

UX & UI Design

User-centred interfaces for every target group. Retailers, end customers and internal teams require different functionalities.

4

Development & Integration

Headless architecture, API development and system integration. Built using a modular approach so that the platform grows with you.

5

Testing & Launch

Systematic testing across all user roles, devices and integrations. A launch without any nasty surprises.

6

Operations & Further Development

Post-launch support, new features and performance optimisation. A platform is never finished; it continues to evolve.

Our strengths as a platform agency

UX before tech

Platforms rarely fail because of the code, but because of unclear user guidance. We consider strategy and UX before making any technical decisions.

Brand-integrated design

Platforms often look generic because they’re built by developers. With us, the design comes from the brand system, not the framework.

Integration as standard

PIM, ERP, CRM, payments, logistics. Seamless integration with existing systems is not a bonus, but a prerequisite.

Headless architecture

Front-end and back-end are decoupled. Maximum flexibility for any future development, without lock-in or migration headaches.

Built to be scalable

What is a function today may be a module tomorrow. We build our system so that your platform grows in line with your requirements.

Long-term platform partner

A platform doesn’t end with its launch. We’ll support you with ongoing development, new features and optimisation.

Project enquiry

Ready for a platform that really works for you?

  • Free, personalised advice within <24 hours
  • Non-binding quote

Our experts are raring to go

Clients via our platforms – Agency

Daniel VölkerRantum Capital

»Wir haben lange nach einer Website Agentur gesucht, die nicht nur hübsche Seiten baut, sondern unser Business versteht. pechschwarz® war vom ersten Tag an der richtige Partner.«

Ziya CakmakSicatron GmbH

»Was als Relaunch startete, ist eine echte Partnerschaft geworden. Neue Landingpages, Kampagnen, ständige Optimierungen. Das Team denkt mit, bevor wir fragen müssen. So stellen wir uns Zusammenarbeit vor.«

Deniz DoganProtocast GmbH

»pechschwarz hat abgeliefert. Unsere Anforderungen wurden sofort verstanden, die Kommunikation war immer transparent und das Ergebnis spricht für sich. Klare Empfehlung als Website Agentur«

Questions on the subject of platforms

A digital platform is an application that goes beyond simply displaying content and provides functionality for various user groups. Examples include dealer portals, product configurators, customer portals and internal tools with system integration.

A website displays information. A platform enables interaction, processes and system integrations. Anyone who needs ordering processes, configurators, self-service or data integration is better off with a platform.

As soon as recurring processes are carried out manually, silos begin to form, or customers, partners and internal teams cannot be provided with information efficiently. Platforms are worthwhile when the level of complexity exceeds what a website can handle.

The costs depend heavily on the scope of functionality, the integrations and the scalability. Simple portals start in the low five-figure range, whilst complex enterprise platforms with multi-system integration are significantly higher. A detailed estimate can be provided following an initial discovery phase.

An API integration usually takes two to four weeks. A portal or configurator takes two to four months. Enterprise platforms with multi-system integration take four to eight months. The exact duration depends on the scope and complexity.

Headless architectures using React or Next.js on the front end, combined with headless CMS platforms such as Storyblok, Directus or Payload. On the back end, Node.js is frequently used, integrated with PIM, ERP or CRM systems via custom APIs.

Yes. PIM, ERP, CRM, payment providers, logistics systems and much more can be integrated. This usually requires an existing API. If one is not available, a bespoke integration can also be implemented via database connections or interface layers.

An architecture in which the front-end and back-end are technically decoupled from one another. The back-end provides data via APIs, whilst the front-end can be replaced or further developed as required without altering the back-end. This ensures flexibility and long-term maintainability.

A portal is usually a specific interface designed for a particular user group, such as retailers or customers. A platform brings together several portals, functions and integrations to form a complete digital ecosystem.

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Our awards as a web agency

Good work speaks for itself. Sometimes it even wins an award.

German Design Award Winner 2026

German Design Award

Winner
2024, 2026

German Brand Award

Winner
2024

German Web Award

Winner
2022, 2024, 2025

w3 Award

Winner
2025

Deutscher Agenturpreis

Winner
2023, 2024, 2025

Webstar Award

Winner
2023, 2024, 2025

Grimme Online Award

Nominated
2023