The International Dental Show (IDS) has been the world's leading trade fair for the dental industry for over 100 years. The Association of the German Dental Industry recognized the shift towards digitalization and therefore founded IDS Online as a corporate startup. By founding IDS Online, the VDDI is pursuing the goal of creating a platform for digital innovations and making the dental industry fit for the future in the long term.
Michael Mollath, the Managing Director of IDS Online and an experienced digital expert, has been driving the company's digital transformation for around two and a half years. When he joined the corporate start-up, the digital journey initially began with a minimum viable product (MVP), a digital showcase based on Webflow and Airtable. This virtual showroom offered manufacturers the opportunity to present their products and services digitally - an important first step. However, it quickly became apparent that the existing solution was reaching its limits in terms of scalability and flexibility. The need for a more robust system led to the use of the no-code platform Bubble.io.
No-code and low-code technologies offer companies the opportunity to develop software without the need for extensive programming knowledge. This is particularly interesting for medium-sized companies and specialized industries such as the dental sector, as it can reduce development times and costs. For IDS Online, Bubble.io was the perfect solution to drive the digital transformation forward quickly and flexibly.
"Bubble.io gives us the flexibility we need to iterate quickly and try out new features," explains Michael Mollath in the Visual Makers Podcast. Bubble.io has allowed IDS Online to build a scalable, user-friendly platform without having to deal with the complexity and error-proneness of different tools. The system allows the team to make changes and test new features without having to go through the tedious process of traditional development cycles.
The first major project that IDS Online implemented with Bubble was the manufacturer portal. In this portal, manufacturers can log in, maintain their profiles and present their products. A key advantage of the portal is the ability to reach potential customers and enter into direct dialog. Integration with Webflow takes place via Make, which ensures smooth data synchronization between the two platforms. This means that information is always up-to-date and correctly displayed.
But IDS Online is not limited to this portal - further no-code projects are being planned or have already been implemented to support the dental industry in a variety of ways:
1. digital trade fair bag
The digital trade fair bag is a mobile portal that can be accessed via QR codes at the trade fair stands. Visitors can obtain information about the exhibitors directly on site and download digital marketing material. This solution simplifies the dissemination of information and is an example of how no-code can enrich the visitor experience.
2nd job portal for the dental industry
IDS Online wants to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the industry with a central job portal. Employers can post job vacancies here, while specialists can search specifically for relevant job offers. The portal offers the dental industry a central point of contact to meet the demand for qualified personnel.
3rd B2B store for dental products
IDS Online plans to offer manufacturers a B2B store based on Shopware that enables them to sell their products. The company is relying on a combination of no-code and traditional software development to meet the special regulatory requirements of the medical device industry. This shows that no-code is not necessarily sufficient as the sole solution, but can be ideally supplemented with traditional development methods in certain areas.
Michael Mollath is a great advocate of no-code and low-code and sees enormous potential in these technologies for SMEs. He calls on companies to be courageous and actively exploit the opportunities that no-code offers. In the podcast, he advises: "Find someone in the company who is keen on the topic - whether a working student, trainee or experienced employee - and give them the time to get to grips with no-code." This technology offers small and medium-sized companies in particular the opportunity to implement their digital initiatives quickly and cost-effectively.
No-code and low-code make it easier for companies to launch digital projects without having to rely on external developers. This promotes flexibility and makes it possible to respond directly to customer wishes and market requirements. This approach has also proven its worth at IDS Online, as it allows the platform to be continuously improved and adapted to the needs of the target group.
The experiences of IDS Online offer important insights for all companies that want to experiment with no-code and low-code. Here are the most important lessons learned in practice:
Start early: The sooner companies start using no-code, the faster they can benefit from the advantages and incorporate the experience gained into their digital processes.
Openness and flexibility: No-code does not mean that a single tool covers all requirements. A flexible tool mix, adapted to the respective needs, is crucial for success.
Conception is the key: Even with no-code projects, a solid concept is the basis for success. Technical implementation may be easier, but strategic planning remains essential.
Courage and agility: no-code offers the opportunity to experiment and test prototypes quickly. Companies should use this opportunity to develop MVPs and obtain feedback at an early stage.
IDS Online is an inspiring example of how a corporate startup with no-code and low-code can drive digitalization in a highly specialized industry such as the dental industry. The platforms and tools that IDS Online develops create new opportunities for manufacturers, retailers, dentists and dental technicians. This digital transformation will make the dental industry fit for the future and enable it to face the challenges and opportunities of a networked world.
The future of the dental industry is digital - and IDS Online is at the forefront of shaping this future. IDS Online's experiences and projects illustrate the importance of having the courage to digitize and the benefits that companies can gain from using no-code technologies.
IDS Online provides a strong role model for other industries and companies, showing that innovation and tradition can go hand in hand. The targeted and strategic use of no-code and low-code creates new business models that are flexible, scalable and sustainable. No-code is thus becoming a central tool for digitalization - not only in the dental industry, but in many areas of the SME sector.
