Scout & Nimble: A Custom 
E-Commerce Platform Tailor-Made 
to Meet Unique Business Needs

A view of the Scout & Nimble website

Technology stack used

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Scope

Web Development

Digital Product Design

Quality Assurance

Project details

Scout & Nimble is an online store selling sophisticated furnishings and collaborating with numerous designers worldwide. The company was thinking big and looking for innovative ways to improve customer engagement and increase online sales, while also meeting the needs of employees and suppliers. Its goal was to unite a community of designers and customers on a single platform—more than just a simple online store.

We knew that achieving this would require preparing the entire project for high traffic, ensuring security compliance, and meeting everyone's expectations for UI/UX.

The Challenge

When we first began working with Scout & Nimble, they needed our help with slow-loading pages and setting up an online store on Spree. At the same time, they had a long and complicated order processing procedure orders were placed via email or through supplier websites. Some orders were processed in a few days, while others took several months.

After initially fixing and improving the store on Spree Commerce, updating the Spree version became a major challenge due to the extensive custom configuration. It was decided to develop a dedicated e-commerce platform that would be fast, meet unique business needs, and address the client's order management issues.

To fulfill its purpose, the designed platform needed to cater to the requirements of several very different groups:

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#01 Order processing department

  • A transparent interface providing a clear view of the status of each order.
  • An order notification system that employees can easily configure to ensure no orders are missed.
  • Automated transmission of orders and notifications to suppliers via email and EDI.
  • Automation of shipping cost collection from multiple shipping companies.
  • A portal for last-mile delivery companies to update order statuses and provide quotes.
  • Customizable email editors enabling employees to modify emails sent from the order department's support team.

#02 Product management department

  • Uploading inventory via email or EDI.
  • Functionality to detect and handle errors during inventory imports.
  • Integrations with marketing systems (Google Content API, ShareASale, Attentive, Klaviyo).

#03 Marketing department

  • Integrations with systems for sending emails, SMS, and acquiring influencers.
  • Analytical tools to support informed decision-making.
  • Dynamic discounts based on shopping cart value or customer type, alongside standard discount and gift card options.
  • Site optimization to comply with Web Core Vitals standards.
  • AI-powered generation of unique product descriptions.
  • A mechanism to identify the type of product images.

#04 Infrastructure requirements

  • Enhancing system stability by upgrading from a central server to a distributed infrastructure using containerization.
  • Implementing protection and recovery mechanisms (RPO, RTO).
  • Enabling automated system repairs.
  • Establishing a scaling system based on resource consumption.
  • Optimizing costs.

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Our Solution

After gathering business needs and requirements from all future users, we designed and developed a custom e-commerce platform focused on automation. This platform simplifies and accelerates all processes while maintaining top performance and security.

To deliver such a complex project, we employed expert developers and cutting-edge technologies. Leveraging Ruby on Rails and its robust features, we were able to create a secure, modern, and stable portal within a reasonable timeframe.

We utilized AWS services and AWS-recommended methods to design secure solutions that ensure performance and eliminate future concerns about servers or maintenance for S&N. The system scales based on resource consumption, automatically adding servers during traffic spikes and reducing them during quieter periods.

Employees now have full control and a clear view of orders. To minimize manual work, orders are automatically sent to suppliers. Additionally, we integrated an EDI system to automate the exchange of documents.

We implemented containerization to distribute servers. If a server fails, a new one is automatically initiated, ensuring geographic data distribution and uninterrupted functionality, even in the event of a data center malfunction.

To quickly develop efficient and customer-friendly solutions, we utilized the Nuxt framework and separated the store's previous version into distinct frontend and backend components.

Achieved results

The result is a custom e-commerce platform that meets the needs of a diverse range of users and leverages modern solutions to ensure continuous high-level performance at an optimized cost.
It’s tailor-made for all stakeholders:

  • Customers benefit from a fast and efficient store that makes shopping and finding inspiration quick and easy.
  • S&N employees work with a customized system that simplifies and optimizes daily tasks.
  • Suppliers can seamlessly send quotes, track shipments, and access order history.

As a business outcome, the increased number of orders did not require hiring additional staff, as the improvements made order management faster and more efficient.
Our client can confidently focus on business operations without worrying about the platform's ability to handle increased demand.

Partnership since

2014

Increase in revenue

6%

Increase in AOT (Avarage Order Value)

12%

Increase in conversions

9%

Maintenance and further development

The first version of the store was launched in 2014 and has been continuously evolving ever since. We are committed to improving it to this day.

We are adding more payment options and enhancing the purchasing process to boost conversions. Additionally, we are integrating new suppliers to expand the product assortment and automate inventory updates and order placement.

We are also progressively deepening our integration with AWS, leveraging AI solutions to further automate processes, streamline daily operations, and drive increased sales.

A view of the Scout & Nimble website

Opis slajdu, screenshot tego i tamtego

Elements of the Scout & Nimble admin panel

We brought a complex, custom-made Administration Panel - so in one place it’s possible to control all specific e-commerce actions like Order Management, Product Management, adding Rooms and more!
 

A view of the Scout & Nimble website

Opis slajdu, screenshot tego i tamtego

We brought a complex, custom-made Administration Panel - so in one place it’s possible to control all specific e-commerce actions like Order Management, Product Management, adding Rooms and more!

A view of the Scout & Nimble website
The Scout & Nimble website on a smartphone

I've been using Netkodo for web development for over 10 years now and they have exceeded my expectations.

They are extremely skilled, reasonably priced, complete projects in a timely manner, and understand our needs as an e-commerce company. I highly recommend them for any type of web development needs.

Sam Bodine

CEO / Co-Founder

About Scout&Nimble

In collaboration with Jesse and Sam Bodine we wanted to help them achieve their goal, today Scout&Nimble helps both designers and customers searching for designer curated furnishings and décor. We knew that bringing a community of designers required to prepare the whole project for high traffic, security compliance and everyone's expectation about UI/UX.

Jesse and Sam Bodine

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