Streamlining Bottle Returns for a Global Beverage Leader
Discover how we enhanced the B2B platform for a multinational beverage company, enabling self-service returns of empty bottles while improving code quality and team efficiency
Project Overview
Innovative SAP Commerce Solutions for a Global Beverage Brand
In collaboration with our client’s international IT teams, we developed a feature for returning deposit containers and implemented key backend improvements. The main objectives were to boost platform maintainability, enhance unit test coverage, streamline developer onboarding, and provide a seamless self-service experience for hundreds of B2B customers.
Project Overview
Sustainability and Recycling
At SIA Commerce Consulting Services, we worked with a global beverage company with multiple well-known soft drink and beverage brands. Their multi-country B2B platform serves hundreds of business customers (hotels, cafes, restaurants) in the Netherlands, South Africa, and Mexico.
Our team provided ongoing support, bugfixes, and several mini-projects. The most notable was the development of a feature for returning empty bottles (deposit containers), aimed at streamlining the client’s sustainability and recycling processes.
We contributed as SAP Commerce (Hybris) specialists, focusing on code quality improvements, backend feature development, test coverage enhancements, and process optimization for the developer team.
Challenges & Objectives
Overcoming Obstacles
Challenges
- The platform had hundreds of static code analysis errors, reducing maintainability.
- JUnit test coverage was insufficient, affecting code reliability.
- Developer onboarding and setup documentation were inconsistent across continents.
- The bottle returns process for B2B customers was manual, inefficient, and prone to errors.
Objectives
- Improve code maintainability by reducing static analysis errors.
- Increase unit test coverage to ensure higher-quality releases.
- Implement a self-service feature for returning empty bottles.
- Standardize onboarding and backend best practices across the global developer team.
Our Tasks
- Systematically cleaned up code and fixed hundreds of static analysis errors.
- Improved JUnit test coverage.
- Designed and implemented the bottle returns MVP feature.
- Documented setup processes and defined backend development best practices.
Solution & Approach
Code Quality Improvements
High-impact static analysis issues were prioritized and resolved, reducing hundreds of errors within a week.
JUnit test coverage was enhanced to increase maintainability and reduce regression risks.
SonarQube and code style guidelines were used to enforce standards.
Bottle Returns MVP
Integrated with SAP back-end systems (ECC/S4HANA) via Boomi middleware.
Enabled B2B customers to return bottles self-service, either with new orders or as standalone returns.
Cross-continental collaboration ensured smooth deployment and adoption.
Process & Collaboration
Developer onboarding guides were created for Windows and Mac platforms.
PR, code formatting, and documentation guidelines were established in Confluence.
Regular coordination with stakeholders across Europe, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico was maintained through sprint ceremonies.
Key Achievements
Results & Impact
Hundreds of static code analysis errors were resolved in a week, improving maintainability
JUnit test coverage was increased, enhancing reliability
A self-service bottle returns MVP was launched, improving sustainability and customer experience
Developer onboarding and collaboration processes were standardized, increasing team efficiency
Manual operational overhead for returns was reduced, enabling faster inventory management and better workflow
Shared Commitment to a Greener Future
As a company, we take pride in aligning with initiatives that contribute to a circular economy. This project directly supported the client’s sustainability goals by simplifying the management of bottle returns — promoting recycling, reusing valuable resources, and reducing waste across their operations.
By improving automation and traceability within the SAP Commerce platform, SIA Commerce Consulting Services helped ensure that digital innovation also drives environmental impact.
Technologies & Tools
SAP Commerce (Hybris)
Hybris, integrated with SAP ECC/S4HANA
Backend
Java, Spring, JUnit, Solr
Version Control
Bitbucket
CI/CD data pipelines in Azure
Integration
Boomi middleware
Documentation & Collaboration
Confluence, Jira, Sprint Ceremonies
Platforms
Windows and Mac for developer setups
Key Learnings & Reflections
Iterative development and early feedback ensured MVP success
Standardized onboarding and coding guidelines improved team efficiency
Cross-continental collaboration requires structured processes and clear communication
Self-service features aligned with business sustainability goals create tangible value for clients
Project Summary
| Role | SAP Commerce Contractor |
| Duration | October, 2021 – January, 2022 |
| SAP Version | SAP Commerce |
| Focus Area | Code quality, JUnit coverage, bottle returns feature, developer process improvements |
| Result | Hundreds of code errors resolved, improved test coverage, launched MVP for self-service returns, streamlined team processes |
Client Feedback
Working with contractor on the bottle returns feature was a truly positive experience. The team delivered a fully functional MVP integrated with our systems, improving efficiency and sustainability. They exceeded expectations in both technical quality and collaboration
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