Clipsal by Schneider Electric has launched its new and improved mobile application, iCat, which enables electrical trade customers to purchase directly from their preferred Australian wholesalers.

“iCat is leading the way for digital innovation in the electrical industry by changing the way wholesalers and tradies interact, all while supporting local Australian businesses,” says Schneider Electric’s eCommerce business manager Anthony Locke.

“Thanks to iCat, electricians can now select from more than 17,000 Clipsal and Schneider Electric products via the app and add them to their shopping carts. Once they are ready to purchase, the contents of the cart will be submitted to their selected wholesaler for payment processing, ultimately saving time and reducing paperwork.”

The app is the electronic version of the Clipsal Trade Product Guide and is free to download. It provides electricians with a simple and fast way to view product details, including pricing, colour options and real-time stock availability.

“Before we first started developing the app, we understood that tradies spent a lot of time catching up on paperwork, particularly when it comes to completing order forms but with iCat they will be able to reduce that paperwork by managing a job onsite or after hours all with the help of their smart phone or device,” says Anthony.

“Most importantly, we understand that an electrician’s relationship with their wholesaler is extremely important, which is why iCat allows them to purchase directly from them via the app.”

The app has been developed in partnership with Enabled, which Clipsal by Schneider Electric has worked with since 2011, when Enabled first developed iCat. Through various iterations, the app has evolved from a one-way communication platform to a one-stop-shop for electricians today. Enabled has also worked on projects that enhance the customer experience for Clipsal’s homeowner segment, such as interactive touch and augmented reality.

“Throughout this long-term partnership, we have taken a holistic approach that includes the business, technical and user experience factors. We want to build innovations that deliver lasting value for our client and iCat is no exception,” says Enabled chief executive Grant Hull.