GWA Group, a leading Australian bathroom and kitchen supplier listed on the ASX 200, partnered with Net Solutions to execute a full-scale digital transformation. The primary challenge was modernizing a legacy technology infrastructure while maintaining compliance and integrating a diverse portfolio of brands (Caroma, Methven, Dorf, and Clark). The comprehensive initiative involved migrating from AWS to Azure, modernizing eCommerce platforms, and integrating CRM and PIM systems.
This transformation had two major outcomes:
All this helped position GWA as a forward-thinking leader in digital infrastructure. Read on to know the complete story.
GWA’s core operations were constrained by an outdated technology infrastructure. As an international entity with industry-leading brands, their challenges were specific and acute:
The greatest challenge was not just migration, but ensuring that the new Azure-based PIM and modernized front-end systems could seamlessly interface with the 20-year-old legacy system. This required deep reverse-engineering and custom API development to create a unified ecosystem without data loss or operational disruption.
GWA and Net Solutions formed a joint partnership to co-develop a multi-pronged transformation strategy. The approach was not to simply “lift and shift” but to fundamentally re-architect GWA’s digital core. Rich Evans led the GWA team in this process, where both teams worked to ensure that every modernization effort supported long-term scalability and operational resilience. Our strategy focused on three key pillars: modernizing the technology backbone, innovating the sales process, and developing new IoT-based value propositions.
This strategy was designed to unify systems, accelerate sales enablement, and strengthen GWA’s leadership position as a digitally advanced organization ready for the future.
The solution was delivered across three primary workstreams:
We revolutionized GWA’s retail experience by developing interactive kiosks that allowed customers to scan product tags for detailed information, specifications, and wishlists. A virtual store walkthrough added an immersive 360-degree digital experience for shoppers.
A dedicated iPad application was developed for GWA’s field sales teams, allowing representatives to showcase products, configure selections, and generate instant proposals during meetings. This tool simplified sales workflows and bridged information gaps.
We built a robust Magento 2-based B2B eCommerce solution connecting customers directly with authorized retailers and distributors. This platform streamlined the purchase process and optimized inventory visibility.
As GWA’s flagship innovation, Smart Command represented a leap forward in commercial water management. We developed the visualization interface using Highcharts, processing thousands of IoT data points to display real-time water usage analytics. This IoT-based platform enabled commercial facilities to monitor and manage water consumption efficiently.
We partnered with GWA to migrate from AWS to Azure, aligning GWA’s infrastructure with modern cloud capabilities and improving performance standards. Before migration, the existing AWS MySQL database was upgraded for stability and performance optimization, followed by a complete transition to Azure with MySQL 8, ensuring improved scalability, reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Multiple brand websites were migrated to Magento 2. This upgrade enabled GWA to:
To enhance product and customer data management, we implemented a custom Azure-based pseudo-PIM solution integrated with inRiver PIM and D365 CRM.
This dual integration:
The initiative successfully unified systems and modernized 4 key sales processes to align kiosks, virtual walkthroughs, sales apps, and B2B platforms.
GWA showcased Smart Command at the World Plumber Conference in Melbourne, Australia, where it was recognized as a benchmark for smart-office solutions.
GWA chose Net Solutions for our expertise in headless commerce and our proven ability to handle complex, large-scale migrations involving legacy systems. Our partnership approach ensured that GWA’s internal teams were co-creators of the solution, building a sustainable, scalable platform for future growth.
We have partnered with Net Solutions for nearly a decade. During this time, they have supported and modernised many aspects of our digital ecosystem. The team is excellent to work with, consistently taking ownership of challenges, paying meticulous attention to detail from the client’s perspective, and having a clear understanding of the outcomes we needed. Their technical expertise has been invaluable through multiple iterations of our digital platforms, designing and delivering solutions that made sense for the business. They are an excellent choice for a collaborative, long-term partner. We would gladly recommend Net Solutions to organisations seeking a partner who brings accountability, technical depth, and a collaborative spirit to the table.
Every organization’s legacy systems and digital ambitions are unique. We specialize in analyzing complex infrastructures and building bespoke solutions—from cloud migration to custom IoT platforms—that drive measurable business outcomes.
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