Project Overview
As the region’s largest supplier of cabinets and fabricator of granite countertops, Sims-Lohman is one of the fastest growing companies in America. Sims-Lohman has four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, they are focused on providing reliable service to industry professionals and their clients. OmniSpear has been tasked with updating their order processing system by providing a web based solution that is robust and scaleable in order to keep pace with this fast growing company.
Services Provided
Content Management
User Experience
Web App Development
Case Study
Case Study: How OmniSpear Built the Web Platform That Fueled Sims-Lohman’s National Expansion
Introduction
Sims-Lohman Fine Kitchens and Granite, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest providers of kitchen cabinetry and countertops. Known for its one-stop shop model, Sims-Lohman serves builders, remodelers, interior designers, and architects with premium cabinetry and countertops on a large scale.
As the company expanded, its legacy terminal-based system and manual processes began to limit efficiency. To sustain growth, support acquisitions, and scale operations across multiple states, Sims-Lohman turned to OmniSpear to design and deliver a modern, scalable web application.
The Challenge
- Outdated Legacy Systems: Sims-Lohman’s proprietary database was difficult to maintain, slow to adapt, and risky for long-term scalability.
- Operational Bottlenecks: Manual workflows in warehousing, order entry, and distribution created inefficiencies and errors.
- Supplier Connectivity: Sims-Lohman needed seamless integrations with multiple national cabinetry suppliers to reduce delays and automate ordering.
- Accounting Integration: An outdated tech-stack, data structure, and disconnected systems created financial reporting inefficiencies, not allowing integration with the company's accounting and other back-end operations.
- Scalability Needs: With rapid expansion and acquisitions, Sims-Lohman needed technology to unify business processes across multiple regions.
OmniSpear’s Approach
OmniSpear partnered closely with Sims-Lohman leadership and staff to modernize the company’s digital backbone. The project rolled out in phased stages, ensuring minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
Phase 1: Discovery & Strategy
- Mapped all existing, legacy functions and business processes.
- Designed a centralized API layer to connect the new web-based system with existing legacy systems as well as external supplier systems, and internal accounting workflows.
- Produced workflow maps, UI mockups, and a migration plan for a scalable web app.
Phase 2: Core Web Application Development
- Built a new relational database and a Web-Based UI for long-term scalability.
- Developed reusable infrastructure for order entry, customer management, warehouse workflows, and barcode systems.
- Integrated supplier APIs to automate electronic ordering and acknowledgments.
- Connected the web application to Sims-Lohman’s in-house accounting application to unify order, billing, and financial reporting.
- Delivered barcode scanning for receiving, storage, loading, and delivery, with mobile features including image capture and geo-stamped proof of delivery.
Phase 3: Rollout & Expansion
- Conducted real-time testing, training, and support to onboard teams across multiple locations.
- Expanded barcode automation to multiple product types in multiple warehouse locations.
- Provided a scalable infrastructure to quickly onboard acquisitions into Sims-Lohman’s operations.
The Results
Massive Operational Efficiency
- Barcode automation eliminated errors in warehousing and distribution.
- Supplier API integrations reduced order delays, eliminated manual entry, and improved supply chain visibility.
- Accounting system integration eliminated duplicate data entry, assisted reconciliations, and decision-making across the business.
- Mobile delivery tools reduced customer disputes and improved service with proof-of-delivery photos, and allowed real-time updates of when products were received and delivered.
Growth & Acquisitions
- Enabled Sims-Lohman to rapidly integrate multiple acquisitions, bringing new distribution centers and showrooms onto the platform with minimal downtime.
- Provided a scalable architecture that grew with the company as it expanded into new markets nationwide.
Market Leadership
- Sims-Lohman became one of the largest distributors of cabinetry and countertops in the nation, serving builders and designers at scale.
- The company grew into one of Cincinnati’s largest privately held businesses, powered by a modern digital backbone built by OmniSpear.
Conclusion
By replacing legacy systems with a scalable, barcode-enabled web application — complete with supplier API integrations and accounting system connectivity — OmniSpear helped Sims-Lohman transform into a national leader.
What began as a technology modernization effort became the engine of growth that allowed Sims-Lohman to expand its footprint, acquire competitors, and become one of the largest privately held companies in Cincinnati.
OmniSpear’s role: not just a development partner, but a growth enabler.
What Our Clients Say About Us
-
OmniSpear helped our company set up and configure, then migrate our websites onto new dedicated servers. They went above all expectations, working quickly and efficiently to accomplish this goal. During the whole process, every question or concern I had was addressed and answered with care and professionalism. I really cannot recommend OmniSpear enough.
Kat W.
-
The best. OmniSpear provides the perfect blend of capabilities and cost consciousness. Big or small, they do it all. I've worked with them for decades and it has always been a great, consistent experience. My current project with them has involved UI, website, web app, multiplatform, and the full stack behind it all. From all aspects they really understand what it takes to make a project SUCCESSFUL and vest into it as concerned partners!
Scott A.
-
Our business is centered around the application that OmniSpear built and on their ability to quickly respond when issues arise. OmniSpear has listened to the needs of our customer base and developed a user-friendly and reliable service that our customers use every single day, multiple times a day. When issues do arise, OmniSpear’s maintenance team is quick to respond and resolves the issue within hours.
Brian S.