December 15, 2023

schuhe.de in transition: A step into the future with MACH architecture

The ANWR Group has revamped its e-commerce platform, schuhe.de, by migrating to a new, modular, and future-proof infrastructure. This strategic move was made to remain competitive in the dynamic e-commerce market. The new platform offers increased flexibility and scalability, allowing schuhe.de to implement new features and services more rapidly.

Challenge

The ANWR Group faced the challenge of modernizing its outdated e-commerce platform, schuhe.de. The complexity of the project lay in transitioning to a MACH architecture and separating the components of the old system.

One of the most significant and challenging aspects of migrating schuhe.de to the new MACH architecture was the unification of product data. The project had the enormous task of integrating data from over 1,400 stores. This data had to be processed in delta updates every 15 minutes, requiring continuous and precise data synchronization. Additionally, product information came from nearly 40 different ERP systems, which had to be converted into a standardized format—a complex process involving numerous interfaces.

Implementation

Frontend Development and System Integration: A core aspect of the project was developing a new shop frontend tailored to the needs of schuhe.de. Shopmacher was responsible for implementing the associated systems, including an efficient search function. Special attention was given to integrating product data from the Product Information Management (PIM) system Akeneo. This ensured that product data was standardized within the shop and passed cleanly through defined interfaces to the ordering system.

Unification of Product Data: A key part of the implementation was unifying product data from over 1,400 stores. This data was updated every 15 minutes and came from nearly 40 different ERP systems. Consolidating this data into a standardized format was crucial for providing a consistent and efficient shopping experience.

Agile Project Management: One of the biggest challenges was the agile work methodology required for the project’s success. Shopmacher and all involved partners needed to respond flexibly to unexpected challenges and find efficient solutions within the set time and budget constraints. This approach proved to be critical to the project’s success.

Search Function with Algolia: A vital part of the new platform was implementing the Algolia search function. This AI-driven solution not only improves the search experience for customers but also allows schuhe.de staff to customize search rankings, for example, to highlight certain products during seasonal events like Halloween.

Result

The transition to the new MACH architecture was not only technically demanding but also a critical step in improving the platform’s efficiency and scalability. A major milestone in this process was the unification of product data in Akeneo.

This successful data integration now ensures a consistent shopping experience across multiple sales channels and forms a central component of schuhe.de’s future-oriented e-commerce strategy.

In addition, the new platform lays the foundation for future expansion and internationalization of the offering. The schuhe.de project stands as an exemplary case of successful digital transformation and alignment with future market needs and opportunities.

CHARACTERISTICS