TPlus' Strategic Innovation for Cloto
Collaboration between Cloto and Tourism Plus (TPlus), a spin-off of the University of Sassari specializing in technology transfer and innovation management, marked a decisive turning point in the brand's evolution. TPlus went beyond an external consultancy role, but acted as a strategic and operational partner, guiding the company through a complex process of product and process "engineering."The primary objective of the project was to transform a company renowned for its artisanal excellence into a structured, scalable, and competitive enterprise on international markets, without sacrificing the Silent Luxury identity that distinguishes the brand.The main areas of intervention and the innovative processes implemented are described below.
Strategic Analysis and Bottom-Up Methodology
The starting point was the adoption of a bottom-up methodology, which involved the entire organization in analyzing existing operational flows. TPlus mapped critical issues (storage difficulties, information fragmentation, quote times) and defined three strategic innovation directions: digital, organizational, and relational. This approach enabled the transition from a management model based on artisanal intuition to a data-driven model, essential for operating in the global luxury sector.
Product and Warehouse Engineering
One of the most complex challenges faced was managing the heterogeneity of the catalogue ClotoTPlus led the creation of a Unified Digital Database (Warehouse File), transforming creative assets into structured data.
Coding and Traceability
A unique barcode identification system was introduced, assigning each item a digital identity. This allowed for real-time synchronization of stock availability between the physical showroom and the online shop, eliminating manual errors.
Standardization
Photographic and technical cataloguing procedures have been defined, making artisanal products "readable" and saleable on an industrial scale via digital platforms.
Digital Ecosystem and New E-Commerce
TPlus oversaw the decommissioning of the existing digital infrastructure to design and launch a new e-commerce ecosystem based on Shopify. The project went beyond online sales to encompass logistics and branding needs:
Scalable Platform
The technological choice guarantees security, integration with internal management systems, and the possibility of future expansion (e.g., 3D configurators, augmented reality).
Omnichannel
A new institutional page has been created to serve as a narrative and commercial hub, combining the storytelling of Italian design with direct sales features, with a specific focus on User Experience (UX) for the high-spending target.
Integrated Logistics and Internationalization
To support global expansion, TPlus helped redesign the supply chain and logistics:
Dedicated Logistics Hub
The physical space (mezzanine area) has been reorganized, transforming it into an e-commerce operations center, with layouts optimized for picking and packing.
Strategic Partnerships
Collaboration with global operators like DHL and integration with platforms like SendCloud have been defined, ensuring tracked and automatically managed shipments in over 220 countries.
Experiential Packaging
A modular and sustainable packaging has been developed that acts as a marketing tool (unboxing experience), consistent with the luxury positioning.
Training and Organizational Development
Recognizing that technology requires expertise, TPlus supported the company in staff training and defining new key roles (e.g., Marketing Specialist, Junior Interior Designer). This ensured that the transferred expertise was internalized, making the company autonomous in managing new digital tools.
Goals Achieved
Thanks to the intervention of TPlus, Cloto has achieved key milestones for its future growth:
Operational Efficiency
Drastically reduce order and quote processing times thanks to automation and barcode coding.
Business Scalability
Transforming complex artisanal products into catalogued and standardised items now allows for higher sales volumes to be managed without production bottlenecks.
Phygital Integration
The seamless synchronization between the physical warehouse and the digital storefront eliminated stock inconsistencies and improved the customer experience.
International Positioning
Through website localization (multilingual/multicurrency) and advanced logistics, the brand is now structured to compete effectively in foreign markets (Middle East, USA, Asia).
In summary, TPlus acted as an innovation enabler, delivering to Cloto not only new technological tools, but a new corporate culture capable of blending manufacturing tradition with the efficiency of modern industrial processes.
