case study in consulting services

Project Overview

• Goal: Implement new B2C e-commerce platforms across multiple European markets for HOFER AG/Aldi.

• Teams Involved: HOFER AG/Aldi’s internal IT team, Netconomy’s full Scrum SAP development team.

• Timeline: 18 months.

• Challenge: Launching fully localized B2C e-commerce shops in different countries, each with unique legal and market requirements, while ensuring seamless integration with SAP backend systems.

• Outcome: Successful implementation of B2C platforms across six European countries, leading to a 40% increase in online sales and improved customer satisfaction.

The Challenge

HOFER AG, a prominent player under the Aldi brand across Europe, faced a significant challenge as they embarked on a large-scale expansion of their B2C e-commerce operations. The goal was to launch new, localized online shops in six European countries, each with its own legal, logistical, and customer expectations. As a large retailer with an established presence, HOFER AG’s ability to deliver consistent brand experiences across different markets while integrating seamlessly with their SAP systems was crucial to the success of the project.

Netconomy, an SAP partner specializing in e-commerce solutions, was tasked with the technical implementation of these new B2C platforms. However, given the complexity and scope of the project, Netconomy brought in Data Duke to collaborate on managing the Agile transformation, project coordination, and ensuring the smooth rollout of the platforms in multiple countries.

The Collaboration: Data Duke and Netconomy

Netconomy provided the deep SAP expertise required for the technical integration, while Data Duke took charge of optimizing the project’s Agile processes, ensuring alignment between technical development and HOFER AG’s business goals. Data Duke’s expertise in Agile project management played a pivotal role in keeping the project on track, especially given the varied requirements for each country’s e-commerce platform.

Data Duke began by implementing a customized Agile framework that could handle the staggered launches in each market. By structuring the project into manageable sprints, Data Duke ensured that Netconomy’s development teams could focus on delivering the technical features needed for each country, while also accommodating rapid feedback and adjustments.

The collaboration between Data Duke and Netconomy was essential in balancing the fast-paced delivery requirements with the need for quality and consistency across all B2C platforms. Data Duke’s role as the bridge between the business requirements from HOFER AG and Netconomy’s technical solutions ensured that the entire project remained on course.

Managing Complex Market Requirements

Each country presented unique legal, compliance, and customer service requirements. Data Duke worked closely with Netconomy to ensure that the e-commerce platforms were fully compliant with local regulations, including tax codes, payment methods, and data privacy laws. This involved coordinating teams in multiple countries, conducting local market research, and tailoring each platform’s design to meet specific customer expectations.

Data Duke also facilitated communication between Netconomy’s development teams and HOFER AG’s internal stakeholders, ensuring that each country’s platform was not only technically sound but also aligned with HOFER AG’s overall business strategy. This collaboration allowed for quick adjustments when local requirements evolved or new customer insights emerged during testing.

Streamlining Integration with SAP

Integrating the new e-commerce platforms with HOFER AG’s existing SAP systems was one of the most complex aspects of the project. Netconomy’s SAP development teams were responsible for the technical integration, ensuring that product catalogs, pricing, and inventory levels were synchronized in real time across the new B2C platforms. Meanwhile, Data Duke’s project management expertise ensured that this critical component of the project was delivered on time and without disruption to HOFER AG’s operations.

Data Duke’s Agile framework allowed for continuous feedback and testing throughout the development process, which helped Netconomy’s developers address integration issues as they arose. This iterative approach enabled the teams to avoid major bottlenecks, ensuring that the platforms were fully operational ahead of the go-live dates.

Delivering a Seamless Customer Experience

One of HOFER AG’s primary goals was to deliver a consistent and intuitive shopping experience across all markets. Data Duke collaborated with HOFER AG’s customer experience teams and Netconomy’s design experts to ensure that the platforms were optimized for local preferences while maintaining a unified brand identity.

Data Duke’s focus on customer-centric design allowed for the integration of features such as tailored promotions, seamless mobile experiences, and localized language support. This, in turn, contributed to higher customer satisfaction scores post-launch.

Results and Business Impact

The collaboration between Data Duke and Netconomy led to the successful launch of B2C e-commerce platforms in six European countries within the 18-month timeline. The platforms saw a 40% increase in online sales, driven by improved user experience and seamless backend integration. Additionally, HOFER AG reported a 30% improvement in customer satisfaction based on post-launch surveys.

By leveraging their combined expertise, Data Duke and Netconomy were able to overcome the challenges of launching localized, fully compliant B2C platforms while ensuring that the platforms were scalable for future growth.

As the CCO of Netconomy Thomas Ziegler stated: