About the Client
Location Dominican Republic
Industry E-commerce
Casa Cuesta (CCN) is a leading Home Department Store in the Dominican Republic. Besides the B&M store, they had a custom e-commerce store running on Magento 1x platform serving across the nation.
Due to the advent of e-commerce technologies across the platforms, Magento released an upgrade – “Magento 2” with altogether different makeup and technicality. This very reason had created performances and compatibility related issues in the CCN online shop.
This is the reason CCN was looking for a reliable and competent e-commerce consultant and development team to deliver expected results by overcoming unique challenges.
Services we offered
The Challenge
Magento 2 Enterprise Edition
The entire concept was new for a unique audience, and we had to set everything in an advanced and responsive eCommerce environment of Magento 2 Enterprise Edition. Fortunately, our full stack and eCommerce niche expert developers had prior experiences with Enterprise Editions that enabled us to work rapidly and accurately.
Imports from SAP
The client uploaded all the product master data on the SAP database located in a remote server. Unfortunately, importing SAP data on CCN database was not as simple as we assumed and we had to create a product import script to fetch data from multiple layers in the SAP.
Data Migration
We had to create Customer Import & Registry Import scripts to migrate the data from Magento 1 to Magento 2 platform.
Customization
We know Magento 2 is a lot different from Magento 1 in many aspects. So, a number of features by default were not supported during the migration process, and we had to create custom modules for all of those.
KIOSK & POS sync
CCN had KIOSK and POS like systems integrated into the older version. Therefore, we had to sync both APIs in new system considering upgrades and differences during the integration.
Support
In-person support and training were essential considering the complexities involved in it. So, we extended our support further. For training, we handed over our tech documents translated in a comprehensive manner and sent guidance videos as per needs.
Project Scope
The marketing team at Perception System, San Jose responded to the client quickly and arranged online meetings using the latest communication technologies, as well as visited personally to gather the project requirements.
Gathering Requirements Online
We allocated highly experienced and technically sound BA (Business Analysts) to amass the project requirements online.
The BA team prepared business requirement documents.
They checked the existing system and prepared system & server architecture diagrams.
They prepared workflow diagrams for the most significant features including Product Purchase Flow, Order Fulfilment Process, Gift Registry System Flow, and many others.
The BA team then tested each primary function and primed the GAP Analysis Matrix, which depicts EXPECTANCY Vs. REALITY for each function
Fortunately, GAP analysis revealed the status of each feature under the test. The BA team described what is working smoothly and where the issues were persistent.
Gathering Requirements In-person
After realizing the risk factors thoroughly, CCN invited the BA team to visit their premises. Client-side team revealed the hidden anomalies in the system as well as presented their concerns well before the beginning of the development.
The in-person meeting ensured our BA team saw what they missed during online inspections.
How business-side team at client’s premise manage products in the back-end.
How the prices of products changing dynamically.
How stock inventory being managed.
How the execution of product import scripts takes place daily.
How customers can buy Gift Registry from KIOSK machine.
The team had pinpointed two significant features at the heart of the system, & Gift Registry System.
Order Fulfilment Process
Search order – Backend user/admin can see incoming orders and search proper orders for further process.
Order Verification – Admin user verifies the order
Order Processing – Admin user marks the verified order as under the process order.
Prepare order for shipping – packing and labeling
Ship the order to the shipping providers.
Print invoice for the paid orders.
Print warranty documents for paid orders.
Track the order that completes the delivery.
Modify order for non-availability or refund
Gift Registry System
Creation of new registry for various occasions including birthday, marriage, parties, events, and anniversaries.
Attach shipping & contact details with the registry.
Find registry using attributes like ID, event date, the name of registrants, and so on.
Search products from the registry product list.
Paging in search results.
Find product details in the registry.
The user can see multimedia content on product detail page in the registry.
The client perceived Perception System as its Magento eCommerce development partner and signup Magento updates and optimization project from Magento 1 to Magento 2 platform. Now, the BA team at Perception System prepared pre-required project documents to handover the client along with post-handover policies for the entire project process in the following manner.
Pre-required Project Documents
The Component Versions
Scope Discrepancy Matrix
Magento Module Matrix
Magento Database Diagram
User Guide for Custom Module
Wire-Frame/Mock-ups
API Implementation Matrix
Test Cases
Data Migration Scope
User Stories
Post-Handover Policies
Design & Development Policies
Maintenance & Support Policies
Security Policies
Deployment Policies
Wireframe & Prototypes
Based on the findings and documents prepared, we setup wireframe design options. After the selection of appropriate models, we proceeded towards prototyping using our interactive and the latest tools.
Designing & Programming
We came up with an intuitively designed solutions by meeting all expectations and addressing client’s concerns. Since we had to do coding for a large scale eCommerce store, our entire team of eCommerce developers including full stack developers paid attention to details and followed the best coding practices.
Testing & Deployment
We frequently tested the system on each new significant module development and section completion. After approval from the client-side team for adequate testing, our DevOps uploaded the system gradually on hosting server.
Project Management
We took help of the latest project management methodologies, software, communication channels, and trained resources like project managers and team leaders to deliver excellent software development experiences.
Our latest PMS enabled us to provide real-time updates to the client-side team using visuals on the dashboard. We provided access to all team members and the freedom to express their feedback, concerns, and valuable suggestions during the process.
Solution
Our Journey towards the eCommerce Storefront Development was highly fascinating & inspiring. The following are a few stages and steps worth mentioning from the entire journey.
KANBAN
We used to take Agile Development approaches for big scale projects. So, we applied KANBAN software development methodology to manage and execute the entire online & offline goods and delivery system. We listed all features as product backlogs and followed the continuous delivery model.
Behavior-driven Development
BDD is an excellent approach to create a collaborative development environment and bridge the communication gap between client and development teams.
WBS Segregation
We applied WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) methodologies to create appropriate sprints as per concessions among all stakeholders.
Development & Deployment
We selected the best technology and employed the best tools the industry had to provide. After rigorous testing and upon satisfaction of the client-side team, we deployed the system on hosting server.
Support & Maintenance
As per project terms, we offered the required support services for a set period.
Technologies
We Used
Results
Milestones
The web front was supposed to be made in just 60 days and we finished it on time.
Achievements
The website has achieved quick adoption among the regional and international users and touched the 20K+ number of users within a short span.
Satisfaction
We delivered the social networking site successfully to the customer and provided a satisfactory level of maintenance & support.
Value Delivered
“Working with Perception Systems was a professional bliss, great work under budget and reasonable execution timeframes, my current go-to for python-web development solutions!”
Luis R. Soenksen,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Striking Features
Add multiple stops
Booking with credit card
Drivers live location tracking
Estimated fare
Wait time
Striking Features
Primary Navigation
It was the main menu with a header on the top of each web page providing category and sub-category level of navigation structure.
Search Filter
Filtered search through layered navigation provides excellent search experiences.
15 Minutes Timer
It was a unique concept that once the shopper hits the button for proceeding to checkout, a 15-minute timer starts automatically and lets the user to accomplish checkout with that time limit only.
Secondary Navigation
A search bar on the top loaded with the latest advanced search features.
Product Details Page
Almost all possible product attributes and multimedia content have room to display with advanced designs.
Payment Process
Shopper can track the payment process visually and know the present step.
Collection of Products
All collection categories have to be the first option (if it exists) right under each department tab in the menu.
Configure Product
Myriads of options available to configure products. Configuration UI has cool and comprehensive styles to go easily.
BIN Discount
CCN offers BIN discount (1%) on a range of BIN number. BIN is a credit card number and expressed in six digits.
Search Products
Shopper can track the payment process visually and know the present step.
Smoother Checkout Process
We made the checkout process smoother by applying the latest practices and tools used in the eCommerce industry.
Coupon Code Discount
The discount can be applied automatically as soon as the customer enters a valid coupon code.
Special Price
The Special Price (Sale Price) will strikeout the Master Price/Original Price. It is used for personalized incentives.
Time Bracket Rule
Time bracket rules can be created in the backend. These rules are like “Any order received before and until 6:00 P.M. will be available for pick up the next day after 12:00 P.M.”.
Registry
This feature facilitates the creation of events (such as “Wedding,” “Bachelor Party”, etc) in the backend. Each event will have its own set of products.