A B2B Digital Platform Built for Aviation Precision
In the aviation industry, access to accurate stock information, controlled purchasing flows, and system reliability are not optional — they are critical. For aircraft spare parts companies, internal efficiency and customer trust go hand in hand.
We worked with C&L Aviation Group to design and deliver a private B2B (E2B) digital platform where approved customers can securely access live inventory, review availability, and place orders — tightly integrated with their ERP landscape.
The goal was not to replicate a public eCommerce experience, but to support the way their business already operates.
This project was not about building a public eCommerce storefront. It was about enabling control, precision, and flexibility using technologies the client already trusted.
About C&L Aviation Group
With nearly 30 years of experience, C&L Aviation Group has grown from a regional aircraft parts distributor into a global aviation services provider.
Headquartered in Bangor, Maine (USA), C&L operates as a one-stop solution for aircraft operators, combining:
- Global aircraft parts and asset management
- Integrated MRO services through an FAA Part 145 repair station
- Multiple warehouses and international locations across the US, UK, EU, Africa, Asia, and Australia
Their continued expansion — including long-term aircraft disassembly programs for end-of-life business jets — has made digital operational efficiency increasingly important.
The Business Challenge
C&L Aviation Group needed a secure, non‑public B2B website where:
- Only approved customers could log in
- Customers could browse real‑time spare parts availability
- Purchasing workflows reflected internal business rules
- The platform could evolve without vendor lock‑in
At the same time, the client:
- Already used Odoo (alongside other internal systems)
- Had in‑house Vue.js / Nuxt.js expertise
- Wanted full control over both frontend behavior and infrastructure decisions
This made a traditional, template‑driven eCommerce platform a poor fit.
Why Alokai + Odoo Was the Right Choice
While Alokai is often associated with high-scale headless commerce, in this case the main driver was not scalability.
Instead, the decisive factors were:
1. Full Frontend Control
Using Alokai (Nuxt.js-based) allowed the client to:
- Implement exactly the UX and workflows they needed
- Extend or modify the platform without fighting constraints
- Align the frontend with aviation-specific requirements
Because the technology stack matched their internal skill set, the platform remains fully understandable and maintainable by their own teams.
2. Clean ERP Integration with Odoo
Odoo acts as the operational backbone for:
- Product and spare part data
- Stock availability
- Pricing and customer rules
- Order creation and internal workflows
The Alokai frontend communicates with Odoo through well-defined APIs, keeping responsibilities clearly separated and the architecture future-proof.
3. Orchestration & System Synchronisation with Apache Airflow
Beyond the ERP and frontend layers, this project also uses Apache Airflow to orchestrate data flows between Odoo and other internal systems.
Airflow enables:
- Scheduled and event-driven data synchronisation
- Clear visibility over data pipelines
- Controlled retries, monitoring, and error handling
This approach allows C&L to integrate additional systems over time without coupling them directly to the frontend or ERP.
4. Infrastructure Ownership
Rather than relying on a closed SaaS model, C&L retains:
- Control over hosting choices
- Control over deployment strategies
- Freedom to integrate with additional internal systems over time
This was a key requirement for a group operating across multiple companies and regions.
From Design to Delivery: A Collaborative Process
This was a genuinely collaborative project from the outset.
The process started with designs provided by C&L, which were reviewed internally with sales teams, delivery teams, and senior management. This step was important: it allowed operational feedback to surface early and ensured the platform reflected real-world usage.
Once the pages were agreed and signed off, we moved into implementation:
- Translating approved designs into clean HTML
- Wiring templates into Nuxt.js components using Alokai
- Implementing the required business processes step by step
Those processes were intentionally kept pragmatic and business-focused — things like customer validation, access control, and approval flows. Not as isolated “features”, but as part of how the company already works with its clients.
This approach helped keep everyone aligned and avoided surprises later in the project.
What the Platform Delivers
The resulting solution is a private B2B digital portal, not a public shop:
- Secure login for approved customers
- Real‑time visibility into spare parts stock
- Controlled purchasing flows aligned with internal rules
- Seamless interaction with existing systems
Behind the scenes, the platform also simplifies internal operations by reducing manual queries, emails, and ad‑hoc stock checks.
A Technology Choice That Matches the Business
This project is a good example of how headless commerce is not only about scale, but about alignment:
- Alignment with internal technical skills
- Alignment with long‑term system strategy
- Alignment with operational complexity
For C&L Aviation Group, Alokai + Odoo provided a solution that is:
- Precise
- Controlled
- Adaptable
And most importantly, fully theirs.
Conclusion
In regulated, high‑precision industries like aviation, digital platforms must work the way the business works — not the other way around.
By combining Alokai’s flexible frontend architecture with Odoo’s robust ERP capabilities, C&L Aviation Group now operates a secure B2B platform that supports both their current operations and their future growth.
At ERPGAP, we continue to help organizations design headless architectures that prioritize control, clarity, and long‑term value — not just speed or scale.
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