API-led Connectivity Implementation
This success story highlights how we helped our client, a globally recognized tobacco brand, overcome the challenges of a rigid and inefficient sales and distribution network. With outdated infrastructure and the need to create markets for new products, they sought a solution that could help them modernize and scale their operations. Incepta partnered with them to implement an API-led connectivity architecture using MuleSoft, automating their distribution network and positioning them for future growth while increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Our goal was to help the client transition to a more agile, API-led connectivity architecture and automate their sales and distribution network. We needed to:
- Build a scalable, flexible infrastructure that would evolve with their needs.
- Streamline their sales and distribution processes, making them more efficient and responsive to market changes.
- Create a clear, phased roadmap to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting ongoing operations.
Our client is a globally recognized tobacco company based in Canada, operating in over six countries. Known for its premium cigarette brands, e-cigarettes, and other related products, the client is transitioning towards reduced-risk products (RRP) to meet evolving customer and market demands.
Industry: CPG & Retail
The client faced several challenges that were holding back their growth potential:
- Rigid and complex legacy infrastructure that was not scalable.
- Poorly designed sales and distribution network, complicating operations.
- Systems connected in an ad-hoc manner, leading to inefficiencies.
- Difficulty in managing sales channels, creating markets for new products, and meeting the growing demands of customers and stakeholders.
After realizing that these challenges can only be solved with the adoption of the right technology and tools, the client had invested in MuleSoft, the leading integration, and API platform, but it was not implemented correctly to utilize its full potential.
The client wanted to grow its integration landscape and build an API-led connectivity architecture. Incepta’s team realized that having a single runtime environment was a significant bottleneck to designing and implementing a future-proof API-led application network.
We implemented MuleSoft API-led Connectivity to automate sales and distribution network for our client
Here’s how we did it:
- Phase-wise roadmap for a smooth transition to API-led connectivity.
- B2B distribution network powered by MuleSoft.
- Multiple runtime environments in production.
We provided a comprehensive roadmap outlining orderly and phase-wise changes needed in the business processes and infrastructure keeping data security as a primary focus. This roadmap was then implemented by Incepta Solutions in 3 phases.
Our team created a B2B distribution network consisting of an e-ordering system where various apps used by wholesalers/direct sellers were integrated so orders could be raised and disbursed most efficiently. This modern e-ordering system resulted in increased sales, upselling, and cross-selling.
Our team designed and build an API-led application network that comprised numerous reusable micro APIs for a sturdy and flexible futuristic environment. Please refer to the diagram below for a sample of flexible, scalable application network design.
Fig 1 – A flexible, scalable API-led Application Network
Two runtime environments were created in production, considering the need for a futurist architecture. These clustered and load-balanced servers were designed to serve the increasing integration and load demands. (Server clustering combines multiple servers to work as a single system while load balancing is used to distribute workload across multiple servers to improve performance). Incepta can help you design such a futuristic infrastructure design for your environment as shown in the diagram below.
Fig 2 – Futuristic Infrastructure Design Powered by MuleSoft
Technology Used:
The results were exactly what we’d hoped for—and then some:
- 64% Increase in Productivity: The automated sales and distribution network led to faster processes and greater efficiency.
- 49% Reduction in Operations and Maintenance Costs: The new scalable architecture reduced the client’s ongoing operational costs significantly.
- Real-Time Updates: The system now operates with real-time data updates, ensuring that business decisions can be made quickly and with confidence.
- A More Simplified Architecture: The new API-led architecture was more flexible, scalable, and future-proof, positioning the client for long-term success.
With our customized plan and methodical approach, we helped the client seamlessly transition to a more agile infrastructure, maximizing the benefits of their MuleSoft investment and enabling them to meet their digital transformation goals without disrupting their day-to-day operations.
Our comprehensive solution and its flawless implementation not only avoided drastic changes and minimized the overall impact on the existing systems but also maximized the benefits of the client’s investment in MuleSoft in the shortest amount of time.
If you are in the Retail and CPG industry, looking for integration solutions critical to your business expansion, revenue growth, and ongoing business operations, connect with us today!
Contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling +1 877 797 0406to learn how Incepta Solutions can help you automate your sales and distribution network using the MuleSoft API-based connectivity approach.
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