ABOUT PROJECT
MaterialsNow is a modern digital marketplace created to make the process of sourcing and procuring specialty materials easier. Launched in August 2021, it embodies over 50 years of industry experience, starting from a small materials distribution business founded in the 1970s in upstate New York. Over time, MaterialsNow has grown into a global solution that connects buyers and suppliers with efficiency, transparency, and trust.
MaterialsNow powers the core by delivering an effective RFQ tool, an extended source pool, and quote management overall to find the best pricing and delivery options for material needs within a business. The platform continually expands its network of vetted suppliers, ensuring users gain access to reliable sources for specialty materials worldwide. Backed by decades of buying and selling experience, MaterialsNow brings an intuitive, easy-to-navigate marketplace where procurement is not only painless but competitively priced and on time. By leveraging the depth of industry expertise in combination with innovative technology, MaterialsNow remains at the edge in the transformation process of how materials are sourced globally.
Key Challenges
Building MaterialsNow was a deep dive into the intricate world of specialty materials procurement, wrapped in layers of technical and financial complexities. From the outset, we knew this platform needed to be a seamless, reliable, and highly efficient solution for buyers and suppliers worldwide. But, as with any ambitious project, we encountered our fair share of challenges – two of the biggest being ACH payments and tax calculations through Avalara. ACH payments proved to be a maze of regulations, security requirements, and banking intricacies. ACH transactions required us to navigate compliance hurdles, ensure seamless fund transfers, and guarantee transaction security – all while maintaining an intuitive user experience. Integrating this into the marketplace without friction was a puzzle we had to solve piece by piece.
Then came tax calculations with Avalara, an entirely different beast. Given the vast and varying tax regulations across regions, accurately applying the right taxes to each transaction was no small feat. Avalara offered automation, but integrating it into MaterialsNow in a way that worked flawlessly for every buyer and seller was a challenge. We had to ensure that every calculation was precise, every compliance box was checked, and every user interaction remained effortless.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Solution Highlights
We built MaterialsNow on Sharetribe Open Source to create a fully customized experience. This stack gave us the flexibility to mold the platform to the specific needs of buyers and suppliers while ensuring scalability for future growth. Handling payments in a B2B marketplace is no small feat, and that’s where Stripe Connect came in. This allowed us to automate payouts, split payments between multiple vendors, and provide a seamless experience for all users. Whether it’s standard credit card transactions or bank transfers, Stripe ensures payments flow smoothly while keeping everything compliant and secure.
For a platform like MaterialsNow, supporting ACH payments was a must. Many B2B transactions rely on direct bank transfers, so we integrated ACH to provide a cost-effective and secure alternative to card payments. The challenge? Making it feel as effortless as a regular checkout process. By refining the flow and optimizing the UX, we made ACH payments an integral, user-friendly feature. Tax calculations can be a nightmare, especially when dealing with different jurisdictions and regulations. To make things easier, we integrated Avalara, which automatically calculates taxes based on location, transaction type, and product category.
THE PROCESS
01
Initial requirements and estimation: The project kicked off in February 2021 with the client providing a detailed set of requirements for the MaterialsNow platform. After reviewing these, we conducted an estimation to assess the scope and resources needed for successful delivery. Our team meticulously broke down the requirements and presented a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to outline the tasks and deliverables. After review and agreement, we proceeded to align with the client on the next steps.
02
Design and development: With the framework in place, we began the design and development phase. Our first priority was to implement the designs provided by the client. These designs were the foundation for our user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), ensuring an intuitive and professional feel for the platform. Once the initial designs were set, we started gathering feedback from the client. This was essential for refining our approach before diving deeper into development. With feedback in hand, we moved forward.
03
Release and final testing (August 2021): After following a structured, two-milestone approach, the project was officially released in August 2021. We conducted final testing and addressed any issues to ensure the platform was ready for production. This stage lasted for about 3 weeks.
04
Additional feature implementation: After the initial release, we continued refining the platform and implemented additional features and improvements based on user feedback. This post-release phase lasted until October 2021, taking around 2 months to fully implement and finalize the additional features.
05
Ongoing communication and collaboration: Throughout the project, our team maintained open and efficient communication primarily via Slack. This ensured that all team members – from design to development – were aligned and that any issues were quickly addressed.
Main Features
Streamlined user onboarding
A clean Landing Page Navigation guides users toward three key actions – submitting a Request for Quote (RFQ), signing in, or registering as a buyer or seller. Buyers initiate their First RFQ Submission Without Sign-Up, with a mandatory Sign-Up Prompt Before Submission ensuring marketplace engagement. Returning buyers have the convenience of RFQ Submission Without Prior Login, being prompted to sign in only before finalizing their request.
Effortless search & bidding
Buyers benefit from Advanced Search Filters, allowing them to refine options based on price, estimated delivery date, and seller reputation. The Bid Selection Interface makes it easy to evaluate and choose the most suitable offers. Sellers receive Keyword-Based Seller Notifications for new RFQs matching their selected keywords, ensuring they never miss a relevant opportunity.
Secure seller verification & bidding system
Seller registration includes Document-Based Identity Verification, requiring a government-issued ID and a bank statement for compliance. The Automated Bid Markup System simplifies pricing, automatically factoring in MaterialsNow’s Transaction Commission to ensure clarity. Sellers provide Detailed Bid Submissions, including pricing, delivery estimates, and additional details or questions for buyers.
Optimized payment & order management
Once a buyer selects a bid, the system assigns an order number and provides shipping details to the seller. Payments process securely through Stripe Connect, with safeguards in place to ensure transaction reliability.
User profiles & order history
Both buyers and sellers access a Customizable Public Profile View and Profile Management Dashboard to update personal and business details. Buyers track transactions through RFQ & Order History Management, while sellers monitor their bids and completed orders.
Automated notifications & reviews
Key events trigger Email Notifications & Engagement Prompts, including Post-Purchase Review Reminders, encouraging buyers to provide seller feedback. Real-time RFQ Submission Alerts ensure that sellers remain informed about marketplace opportunities.
Customer support & admin oversight
A Customer Service Query System allows users to submit issues, with the option to link an Order Number for Issue Resolution. Admins maintain control over platform integrity through Seller Approval & Account Suspension Management and Manual Payment Overrides to handle disputes.
RESULTS
The collaboration between MaterialsNow and Roobykon Software brings to life a dynamic and highly efficient reverse marketplace, redefining how buyers and sellers engage in the industrial materials sector. What begins as an ambitious vision to streamline procurement through an intuitive, automated platform evolves into a fully operational system that empowers businesses with speed, precision, and trust. Behind this simplicity lies a carefully engineered reverse marketplace, where suppliers no longer wait passively for buyers to come to them. Instead, the system actively notifies sellers when relevant RFQs match their offerings, ensuring real-time engagement and reducing response times. This feature revolutionizes the competitive landscape, allowing suppliers to bid dynamically while giving buyers greater control over pricing, delivery timelines, and vendor selection.
The Roobykon team ensures that every element of the platform operates with seamless efficiency. Secure buyer and seller verification adds a crucial layer of trust, while an automated payment system through Stripe Connect introduces a transparent and reliable financial structure. Meanwhile, a robust order tracking system keeps buyers informed and sellers on schedule, creating a procurement environment where transparency and efficiency go hand in hand. The results speak for themselves. MaterialsNow is now a competitive advantage for businesses looking to source materials with unparalleled efficiency. Buyers save time, sellers maximize their reach, and the industry as a whole benefits from a streamlined, intelligent approach to procurement.
Lessons from MaterialsNow
The development of MaterialsNow was a journey filled with challenges, breakthroughs, and valuable lessons that reshaped the way the team approached marketplace development. What began as a straightforward request to build a reverse marketplace quickly evolved into a deep exploration of user behavior, automation, and the nuances of industrial procurement. One unexpected but crucial insight came from automating bid calculations. Instead of leaving sellers to manually factor in platform fees, the system automatically calculated the final bid price, ensuring clarity and consistency. This small feature eliminated confusion and made the bidding process more transparent and efficient. It was a reminder that even minor automation could significantly improve user satisfaction.
Perhaps the most profound lesson came from the collaborative nature of the project itself. The development process involved constant iteration, feedback loops, and deep engagement with the MaterialsNow team. It reinforced the idea that building a successful platform was about understanding the business model, adapting to real-world needs, and staying agile.
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