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Engineering a Smarter B2B Platform:
Introduction: Modernising Ecommerce for a Complex B2B Operation
Mills Ltd, the largest independently owned, family-run supplier of specialist tooling and infrastructure products for the telecommunications and renewables sectors, migrated from Magento to Symphony Commerce in 2026 after outgrowing their existing ecommerce setup. With over 100 years in business and now operating as a fourth-generation company, Mills has built a reputation for delivering bespoke tooling solutions across a catalogue of more than 7,000 products. Their range spans from essential hand tools to advanced test equipment and full fibre infrastructure components required to build end-to-end gigabit-capable networks. Operating as both a distributor and manufacturer, Mills provides a complete, end-to-end supply chain solution to its customers.
Engineering a Smarter B2B Platform:
Introduction: Modernising Ecommerce for a Complex B2B Operation
Mills Ltd, the largest independently owned, family-run supplier of specialist tooling and infrastructure products for the telecommunications and renewables sectors, migrated from Magento to Symphony Commerce in 2026 after outgrowing their existing ecommerce setup. With over 100 years in business and now operating as a fourth-generation company, Mills has built a reputation for delivering bespoke tooling solutions across a catalogue of more than 7,000 products. Their range spans from essential hand tools to advanced test equipment and full fibre infrastructure components required to build end-to-end gigabit-capable networks. Operating as both a distributor and manufacturer, Mills provides a complete, end-to-end supply chain solution to its customers.
Their previous Magento platform—comprised of a core brand site and a series of basic partner portals—had become increasingly difficult to manage and was no longer aligned with the complexity of their B2B operations.
Since partnering with Symphony Commerce, Mills Ltd now operates a modern, scalable ecommerce ecosystem that includes a dedicated brand site and multiple partner portals. This new setup supports advanced B2B workflows, improves operational efficiency, and delivers a significantly enhanced customer experience.
Before moving to Symphony Commerce, Mills Ltd faced a number of technical and operational challenges that were limiting their ability to scale:
Routine updates such as catalogue changes, user management, and pricing adjustments required developer input, slowing down internal workflows and increasing costs.
Previous agency relationships lacked reliability and continuity, impacting delivery timelines and confidence in the platform’s future.
Performance issues and an ageing Magento setup made the platform difficult to manage, maintain, and scale effectively.
Account creation, catalogue assignment, pricing updates, and user management were handled manually—creating inefficiencies and increasing the risk of error.
The existing Magento B2B module lacked the flexibility needed to support complex customer requirements, limiting adoption across key accounts.
Heavy Developer Dependency
Routine updates such as catalogue changes, user management, and pricing adjustments required developer input, slowing down internal workflows and increasing costs.
Clunky and Inefficient Platform Architecture
Performance issues and an ageing Magento setup made the platform difficult to manage, maintain, and scale effectively.
Restrictive B2B Functionality
The existing Magento B2B module lacked the flexibility needed to support complex customer requirements, limiting adoption across key accounts.
Inconsistent Agency Support
Previous agency relationships lacked reliability and continuity, impacting delivery timelines and confidence in the platform’s future.
Manual Workarounds Across Core Processes
Account creation, catalogue assignment, pricing updates, and user management were handled manually—creating inefficiencies and increasing the risk of error.
Symphony Commerce worked closely with Mills Ltd to design and deliver a future-ready ecommerce platform tailored to their complex B2B requirements and long-term growth strategy.
Key capabilities included:
Sophisticated account structures allow businesses to control user access, including restricted pricing visibility, multi-level permissions, and administrative oversight.
Flexible tools to manage customer-specific catalogues, pricing structures, and permissions—ensuring each user sees only what is relevant to them.
A central brand website supported by multiple dedicated partner portals, each configured to meet the needs of specific customer groups.
Configurable approval processes support both single and dual approval flows, with spend thresholds such as monthly limits by category or product—aligning with real-world procurement processes.
Sophisticated account structures allow businesses to control user access, including restricted pricing visibility, multi-level permissions, and administrative oversight.
Admin users can create and manage accounts, assign permissions, and oversee organisational structures with ease.
A clean, responsive interface improves usability for both internal teams and external customers, supporting faster and more efficient ordering.
One-time passcode login implemented for specific partner portals, ensuring secure and controlled access.
Seamless integration with Sage 200 ensures accurate pricing, real-time stock visibility, and efficient data flow across systems.
Custom User Roles and Hierarchies
Sophisticated account structures allow businesses to control user access, including restricted pricing visibility, multi-level permissions, and administrative oversight.
Advanced B2B Ecommerce Functionality
Flexible tools to manage customer-specific catalogues, pricing structures, and permissions—ensuring each user sees only what is relevant to them.
Order Approval Workflows and Spend Controls
Configurable approval processes support both single and dual approval flows, with spend thresholds such as monthly limits by category or product—aligning with real-world procurement processes.
Dedicated Brand Site and Partner Portal Architecture
A central brand website supported by multiple dedicated partner portals, each configured to meet the needs of specific customer groups.
Enhanced B2B Ordering Capabilities
Sophisticated account structures allow businesses to control user access, including restricted pricing visibility, multi-level permissions, and administrative oversight.
Enhanced B2B Ordering Capabilities
Admin users can create and manage accounts, assign permissions, and oversee organisational structures with ease.
Modern, Intuitive User Experience
A clean, responsive interface improves usability for both internal teams and external customers, supporting faster and more efficient ordering.
Sage 200 ERP Integration
Seamless integration with Sage 200 ensures accurate pricing, real-time stock visibility, and efficient data flow across systems.
Secure Access with OTP Authentication
One-time passcode login implemented for specific partner portals, ensuring secure and controlled access.
"What we now have is a platform that truly reflects how our customers buy. From approval workflows to account structures and pricing visibility, everything is tailored to real-world B2B processes. It’s a huge step forward from where we were."
Andrew Rickard - Managing Director at Mills Ltd
A Scalable Multi-Site Ecommerce Operation Built for Growth
A Scalable Multi-Site Ecommerce Operation Built for Growth
With Symphony Commerce in place, Mills Ltd now operates a more connected, efficient, and scalable ecommerce ecosystem:
Four fully integrated sites managed within a single platform, reducing complexity and improving control.
Centralised product, pricing, and customer data ensures consistency across all sites and user groups.
Previously manual processes are now automated, reducing internal workload and improving accuracy.
A flexible platform that can adapt to evolving B2B requirements, new customer segments, and continued growth.
Four fully integrated sites managed within a single platform, reducing complexity and improving control.
A flexible platform that can adapt to evolving B2B requirements, new customer segments, and continued growth.
Centralised product, pricing, and customer data ensures consistency across all sites and user groups.
Previously manual processes are now automated, reducing internal workload and improving accuracy.
"We were genuinely amazed at how quickly and efficiently the project was delivered. It’s been refreshing to work with a team that not only understood our business but guided us in the right direction throughout—especially given the pace of the go-live."
Andrew Rickard - Managing Director at Mills Ltd
Four Sites Delivered in 67 Days — A Step Change in B2B Capability.
All four sites were successfully delivered in just 67 days, providing Mills Ltd with a transformed ecommerce operation in a remarkably short timeframe.
With a robust ecommerce foundation now in place, Mills Ltd is well-positioned to support its expanding partner network and continue innovating within the telecommunications and renewables sectors.
Reduced reliance on developers for day-to-day management.
Improved efficiency across account management and ordering workflows.
Delivered a more sophisticated, user-friendly B2B experience.
Enabled scalable partner portal growth with advanced controls and automation.
Reduced reliance on developers for day-to-day management.
Improved efficiency across account management and ordering workflows.
Delivered a more sophisticated, user-friendly B2B experience.
Enabled scalable partner portal growth with advanced controls and automation.
"Symphony Commerce has given us the structure and flexibility to grow without adding complexity. Managing multiple sites, customers, and workflows is now straightforward, and we can evolve the platform as our business continues to expand."
Andrew Rickard - Managing Director at Mills Ltd
Partnerships that power ecommerce without compromise.
