How did we develop and implement microservices for one of the leading e-commerce businesses?

What was our task?

The e-commerce strategy of one of the largest and most well-known brands in Poland created the need to optimize RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization), i.e. return and complaint management. The brand asked Fast White Cat to implement a microservice to handle complaints and order returns as part of the existing distributed architecture. We undertook this task, and during its implementation, together with our client, we decided to implement one more microservice – to manage integrations with couriers. This happened because we noticed that its scale did not allow adding another element within the same microservice and was contrary to the assumption of single responsibility of a given microservice. To make the project run more smoothly and in a more orderly manner, we started implementing the second microservice.

Initial goals

The end goal for our client was to transfer the above-mentioned processes entirely to the digital zone, and at the same time be able to track shipments with very high accuracy, obtain larger amounts of data regarding customers’ opinions about the ordered products and recommend them a specific return method.

How did we manage to achieve this?

Our first step was to perform a very detailed business analysis. We have analyzed the entire process with every department that has any contact with complaints and returns in the company. We also looked at existing integrations with various systems, as well as other microservices, responsible for, for example, sending appropriate return information to the customer, integration with the ERP system or couriers, which made us realize how large the scale of integration of our microservice will be. Then we decided that we would treat the integration process with couriers as a separate microservice. The analysis also allowed us to appropriately distribute tasks within the team and diversify our specialists to ensure that the work would proceed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Next steps in the process of creating this project:

1. In the next stage of work, we used the Event Storming method to understand what was happening in the domain as quickly as possible and to be able to make our microservice work. Thanks to the Domain-Driven-Design approach, when planning the software, we managed to reflect reality and predict the operation of the entire system.
2. We took part in extensive workshops to better understand our client’s business and understand his needs.
3. As part of the technical analysis, we discussed the process – including: method of communication with the API. Due to the large e-business we were dealing with, we had to take into account the multitude of necessary integrations – our client’s e-shops exist in many countries, which involves, for example, a different courier API in each case.
4. We still have the last part of the task ahead of us – integration with a Business Intelligence analytical system, which will allow our client to analyze the returns process almost in real time.

Development?

At Fast White Cat, we work to ensure that our Partners’ stores not only constantly improve their capabilities, but also stay ahead of the competition. Check how we will cope with your challenge!

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