Content Management System

The objective of this project was to design, develop, and implement a robust content management system (CMS) to extend the functionality of the client's existing ERP system, Retail Express. The CMS was intended to streamline the management of website content, enable custom reporting, and enhance in-store operations.

Client: International Salon Supplies

Role: Full Stack Developer

Tech Stack

  • Next.js
  • Node.js
  • PostgreSQL
  • Drizzle ORM
  • Shadcn
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Clerk
  • n8n
  • Docker
  • Digital Ocean
  • Cloudflare
  • Caddy

Responsibilities:

  • Collaborated with the client to gather and analyze requirements for the CMS.
  • Designed, developed and deployed the CMS to seamlessly integrate with Retail Express and WordPress website.
  • Implemented features for product content management, custom reporting, in-store stock management, and price checking.
  • Conducted rigorous testing to ensure the reliability and performance of the CMS.
  • Provided training and support to the client for the effective use of the new system.

Features

  1. Product Content Management:
    1. Find products with missing images and description.
    2. Manage products images.
    3. Manage product attachments.
    4. Manage product description.
    5. Sync product data to WordPress webstore.
  2. Custom Reporting and Scheduling:
    1. Create custom reports using SQL, directly from CMS.
    2. Run reports to generate output as excel files.
    3. Schedule reports that can be sent to recipient's email.
  3. In-store Stock Management:
    1. Find product using barcode or product attributes.
    2. Assign bin location.
    3. Add products to shelf list that can be used later on by staff members to stock shelfs.
    4. Assign any product discrepancies that can be resolved by admin.
  4. In-store Product Price Checker:
    1. Allow customers to scan product barcode to find product price, quantity available and any promotions.

Challenges

  1. Integration with Existing ERP System:
    • Challenge: Integrating the new CMS with the existing Retail Express ERP system required a deep understanding of the ERP's architecture and API.
    • Solution: Conducted thorough research and worked closely with the ERP vendor to understand the system's integration points. Developed custom middleware to facilitate seamless data exchange between the CMS and the ERP.
  2. Custom Reporting and Scheduling:
    • Challenge: The existing ERP lacked the capability to generate and schedule custom reports, necessitating a new reporting module.
    • Solution: Designed and implemented a robust reporting engine within the CMS. Utilized a flexible query builder and a scheduling system to automate report generation and distribution.
  3. Data Consistency and Synchronization:
    • Challenge: Ensuring data consistency and real-time synchronization between the CMS, website, and in-store systems was critical.
    • Solution: Implemented real-time data synchronization mechanisms using webhooks and scheduled batch processing for less time-sensitive data. Employed a conflict resolution strategy to handle data discrepancies.
  4. User Training and Adoption:
    • Challenge: Ensuring that the client's staff could effectively use the new CMS posed a significant challenge.
    • Solution: Developed comprehensive training materials and conducted hands-on training sessions. Provided ongoing support and created a user-friendly interface to facilitate easy adoption.
  5. Security Concerns:
    • Challenge: Protecting sensitive data and ensuring the security of the CMS was paramount.
    • Solution: Implemented robust security measures, including encryption, secure authentication, and authorization protocols.

These challenges were addressed through meticulous planning, innovative problem-solving, and close collaboration with the client and stakeholders. The successful resolution of these issues contributed significantly to the overall success of the project.

Images

Login screen

Product manager

Product manager ➝ Manage Product

Product manager ➝ Manage Product ➝ Manage Variations

Product manager ➝ Manage Product ➝ Manage Attachments

Custom Reporting

Custom Reporting ➝ Create New Report

Custom Reporting ➝ Schedule Report

Price Checker

Stock Management

Shelf List - for in-store stocking

Shelf Discrepancy List

Outcomes

The successful implementation of the CMS resulted in streamlined content management, enhanced reporting capabilities, and improved in-store operations. The client benefited from increased efficiency, better data accuracy, and a more cohesive management system for their online and in-store activities.