The story

In Australia’s hot climate, tiling isn’t reserved just for bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes.

Whole areas of living space might be tiled, including floors in the kitchen and open areas, entryways and stairs.

Tiling also often extends to outside areas including dining patios and columns.

Since its founding in 1979 by Frank Walker, National Tiles of Australia has built a reputation as a go-to destination for tiles and flooring.

With nearly 40 stores nationwide and over 400 team members, National Tiles has become a trusted name in homes and businesses, supplying nearly 4 million square meters of tile annually.

The Challenge

But even as a market leader, National Tiles faced a challenge: their customers struggled to visualize how different tiles would look in their spaces.

With so many options available, National Tiles customers found it challenging to visualize how tiles would suit their spaces.

Standard tile swatches and 2D photos helped, but clients were left guessing how lighting, furniture, and room flow would interact with the tiles.

With tiling costs often reaching tens of thousands of dollars, customers wanted more confidence in their choices.

The Australian lifestyle, which extends tile usage far beyond bathrooms and kitchens to patios, entryways, and entire living spaces, called for an upgraded experience.

Customers wanted to envision the final look without relying solely on imagination. To stay true to their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, National Tiles needed a new way to bring tile designs to life.

The Solution

To solve this issue, National Tiles partnered with VividWorks and implemented their 3D Tile Configurator  - a powerful Visual CPQ tool that brought immersive 3D modeling into the tile selection process.

This advanced technology allowed customers to see, in real-time, how their chosen tiles would look in their actual spaces.

"Vividworks has assisted us to both help our customer's clients visualise their product selections, as well as automate workflow between our systems and customers - Brian Smith, General Manager"

Whether it's a kitchen renovation, bathroom remodel, or a commercial space makeover, the tool allows National Tiles customers to explore their extensive range of tiles in real-time.

When a builder takes on a housing project, standard tiles are chosen and calculated into the cost of the build.

Builder plans are imported directly into the 3D Tile Configurator room by room, and clients can make their tile choices and see them instantly displayed providing fast and accurate 3D visuals of the room and tiles.

"3D modelling solved the age-old problem of customers not being able to visualize the outcome of a Design Consultation in real time"  – Brian Smith, General Manager"

Rendering mode is turned on to make nice pictures, as tiles gleam and textures show beautifully. The 3D Condigurator is providing the builder with an additional competitive edge and is helping to scale up their business.

Fixtures and fittings are selected from a large library of renders and Tile Express calculates quantities of all relevant materials, labor rates and costs. Tiny mosaic tiles up to giant tiles can be modified to fit a wall to the customer’s specifications.

In addition, waste calculation is consistent and accurate which leads to waste reduction, Smith adds.

National Tiles wanted a solution that speeds up the process by calculating quantities but got a visual sales tool that provides both clients and tilers with accurate information and ingredients for easy decision-making. The addition of the high-quality Visual CPQ sales tool to their sales process is really making a difference.

The Results

The 3D Tile Configurator has been a game-changer.

National Tiles customers is now more confident to make decisions without second-guessing, as they could now see exactly how their chosen tiles would look before committing.

This clear visualization helps reduce costly mistakes and ensure that every tile choice complemented the space perfectly.

In one simple package, the Tile Configurator delivers the ultimate client experience and seamlessly integrates reporting and costings to support business.

For National Tiles, the benefits went beyond customer satisfaction. With clients more enthusiastic about upgrading their selections, the company saw a boost in their bottom line as well.

In fact, General Manager Brian Smith noted that the configurator became a key differentiator, giving builders and clients alike a seamless, elevated experience.

"Existing and potential new customers have certainly been excited about the offering and we see the Tile Configurator as a key differentiator in our market - Brian Smith, General Manager"

The Road Ahead

Since launching the 3D Tile Configurator, National Tiles has continued to refine and expand its offerings, maintaining a cutting-edge approach to the tile industry.

The partnership with VividWorks has not only streamlined sales but transformed the shopping experience into a journey of creativity and confidence.

We certainly believe that what we have developed today is the tip of the iceberg, Smith states

National Tiles remains more than just a tile provider—it’s a trusted guide for Australians bringing their dream spaces to life. And with each innovation, National Tiles stands by its promise: “Now you can."