B2B partner platform for reusable systems
Expertise
Tech Stack
Challenge
RECUP needed a new partner platform that meets the complex requirements of a Germany-wide deposit system for reusable cups and remains intuitive to use. The integration of numerous individual processes and external interfaces into the partner platform placed high demands on the flexibility and expandability of the Shopware standard.
Solution
We developed a tailor-made platform that extends the Shopware standard with specialized modules. The platform combines the management of dispensaries, memberships, and processes such as orders and payments. In addition, bidirectional interfaces to external systems and the RECUP mobile app were integrated to ensure a seamless user experience.
More than just a shop
The Recup Partner platform is much more than that. A significant part consists of the management of Recup dispensaries and their memberships. The Shopware standard has been expanded to include highly complex modules. A large number of individual and different processes and statuses had to be taken into account and mapped - orders, payments, membership terms, connection to external interfaces and much more.
User-centered optimizations with empathy mappings and user testing
The initial setup wasn't everything. We have repeatedly explored and structured the extensive possibilities of the partner platform in the form of empathy mapping sessions and user surveys. The workshops resulted in optimization measures that have steadily made the platform into an increasingly comprehensive and at the same time more user-friendly application. A big milestone was the sequencer system and administration of the issuing points and the simplified self-onboarding for different user groups. An often very complex data structure, numerous user flows and dependencies on third-party systems always made the concept work complex, but in a wonderfully challenging way, especially for our team.
Lots of empathy sessions with the entire team
Workshops & visualizations help with an overview
Intensive teamwork and short communication channels
A real special feature was the very close and intensive collaboration with Recup, where the boundaries between the Recup team and the Format D team regularly became blurred. Together we developed ideas for further development and worked shoulder-to-shoulder on many implementation sprints. This created an incredibly close testing instance and a lot of trust in the work of both sides, which ultimately benefited the improvement of the product for the users.
Technical Implementation
The platform was built on the basis of Shopware. The Shopware base once again had to be massively expanded and adapted through special developments. For example, pure customer addresses are “transported” to issuing points for which memberships can be taken out and managed by the user themselves. Most of the items in the shop are deposit items, meaning they are not actually purchased. And last but not least, the partner platform has several, partly bidirectional, interfaces to external systems - payment, ERP, logistics and RECUP's own mobile app. Helo
