Transforming Coupon Management for Enhanced Efficiency
Discover how we improved the coupon processing system for a leading French and Belgian food distributor, driving automation and reducing manual workload.
Project Overview
Innovative Solutions for a French and Belgian Food Distributor
In collaboration with an IT consulting firm, we embarked on a project to streamline the coupon management system for a prominent Belgian client in the food distribution sector. The main business goal was to automate coupon processes, reduce manual handling, and improve maintainability of the existing solution.
Our Role in the Project
As the project lead, I was responsible for the comprehensive redesign and implementation of the new coupon management solution. My duties encompassed code refactoring, rigorous testing, and thorough documentation. I also facilitated knowledge transfer sessions and collaborated closely with the quality assurance team and the client’s representatives to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of the new system.
Challenges & Objectives
Overcoming Obstacles
Before Implementation
- A major performance problem stemmed from the way promotions were modeled: the system used many individual, customer-specific promotions, which resulted in thousands of active promotions running simultaneously. This caused degraded site performance when promotions were evaluated (e.g., during checkout) and made promotions searches in the Backoffice slow and inefficient.
- Original solution was not maintainable or scalable (many hardcoded values and “magic” numbers).
- Previous vendor and client teams had changed completely, leaving no documentation.
- Knowledge existed only partially, scattered in poorly maintained code, often commented in French with shortened variable names.
Objectives
- Rebuild the solution to be maintainable, scalable, and documented.
- Improve testing, code quality, and knowledge transfer.
- Remove dead code and simplify system logic.
- Replace thousands of customer-specific promotions with a predefined set of reusable promotions, significantly improving Rule Engine performance.
- Implement an automated process (triggered via a cronjob) to manage coupon assignment, promotion user groups, and inactive coupon code cleanup, ensuring the system remains efficient without manual maintenance.
Solution & Approach
Our strategic approach to enhancing the coupon management system involved several key initiatives:
- Refactoring & Maintenance: Cleaned legacy logic, removed dead code, and externalized configurations.
- Testing: Increased from minimal to full unit test coverage for core functionalities.
- Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Created solution documentation and led online sessions with devs and client teams.
- Collaboration: Supported QA testing and ensured a smooth transition for client developers.
Technologies & Tools
SAP Commerce Cloud (Hybris)
Utilize the robust capabilities of SAP Commerce Cloud to enhance your e-commerce platform, ensuring scalability and flexibility.
Java & Spring Framework
Leverage the power of Java and Spring Framework to build secure, high-performance applications tailored to your business needs.
GitHub (version control)
Using GitHub for efficient version control, enabling seamless collaboration and streamlined code management.
JUnit Testing Framework
CI/CD via GitHub workflows
Automation of deployments processes with CI/CD pipelines using GitHub workflows
MySQL and Flexible Search
Key Achievements
Results & Impact
Maintainability
Fully refactored and documented codebase
Scalability
Ready for future coupon process extensions
Testing
Full coverage for all core functionalities
Clean-up
Dead code removed and complexity reduced
Knowledge Transfer
Client team trained and confident to maintain system
Performance Optimization
In addition to structural refactoring, system performance was significantly improved by automating several previously manual processes
These optimizations reduced the number of manual steps, improved processing efficiency, and minimized errors in the coupon lifecycle
Automatic coupon assignment to predefined promotion lists.
Automated user management within promotion user groups
Automatic removal of inactive coupon codes from promotions based on expiry date
Improved reporting by using a standardized promotion set instead of thousands of customer-specific promotions, reducing data volume and boosting efficiency
Key Learnings & Reflections
Legacy projects with no documentation require patience and a structured reverse-engineering approach
Full ownership reinforces the importance of end-to-end accountability
Handling multilingual, cryptic code improved analytical and debugging skills
Project Summary
| Role | Backend Developer & Solution Owner |
| Duration | January – June 2024 |
| SAP Version | SAP Commerce Cloud |
| Focus Area | Automated Coupon Processes, Refactoring, Testing, Documentation, Rule engine, Cronjobs |
| Result | Fully maintainable and scalable solution with full test coverage and improved team knowledge |
Client Feedback
“Their collaborative approach ensured that all our needs were met, and the end result was a robust system that supports our business growth.”
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