Executive Summary

Coca-Cola Nepal had been running the Cokebuddy program, a B2B initiative enabling outlets to place orders and receive updates on them, through a standalone mobile app provided by a third-party vendor. The app had minimal integration with the Lighthouse platform used for secondary sales and distribution management. The program is part of omni-channel demand management by the INSWA Operating Unit of Coca-Cola, making its reliability and scalability critical to market execution.

Over time, expectations from eB2B applications have evolved beyond basic self-ordering. Retailers increasingly expect real-time access to product, pricing, and promotion information, intelligent recommendations for order baskets and cross-sell opportunities, accurate and timely performance data, guidance on investing in activations and programs, and access to digital assets that support hyperlocal campaigns. While the possibilities are many, their realization depends heavily on how the platform is designed and implemented.

When a B2B application is tightly connected to its source systems, its ability to orchestrate business intent and deliver value improves significantly. As the program matured and market complexity increased, particularly around promotions, program types, and process flows, it became clear that the existing setup would struggle to scale. Managing evolving requirements, called for a unified and flexible platform that could adapt dynamically to changing market needs.

Vxceed’s Lighthouse platform addressed this requirement by offering deeper integrations, support for complex program logic, real-time synchronization, and a converged ordering experience for field representatives and outlets. With only 30 days to replace the existing app and a preponed go-live timeline, Vxceed migrated and launched the Lighthouse version of Cokebuddy with zero business disruption, smooth adoption, and immediate operational stability.

About the Brand

Coca-Cola Nepal is one of the country’s leading beverage bottlers, serving a large network of retailers and distributors across diverse urban and rural regions. Operating in a highly dynamic, promotion-driven market, the company depends on strong daily execution and reliable digital systems to support order capture, trade programs, and field operations across its distribution ecosystem.

The Challenge

1. A standalone app with minimal integration

Before the migration, Cokebuddy’s previous implantation had limitations and didn’t connect seamlessly to their DMS, Process Manager, or other mother systems. This limited CCNP’s ability to manage promotions, discounts, budgets, and program configurations effectively.

2. Inability to support complex promotions and program types

Promotions are dynamic, diverse, and frequently evolving. The previous setup required new or fresh development for many program types, making it difficult to execute market initiatives efficiently.

3. Lack of flexibility and scalability

CCNP needed a platform capable of reflecting the changes made in the core system across satellites like B2B in real time and demonstrating synchronized behavior, capabilities the earlier system could not fully support.

4. Fragmented processes across platforms

CCNP was using SFA and DMS from the Lighthouse platform of Vxceed and B2B of another vendor. Therefore, the flow of data, processes, and controls lacked seamlessness which induced LAG and lost opportunitie

The Solution

1. Unified Lighthouse-based Cokebuddy with deep platform integration

The upgraded app became part of Vxceed’s integrated ecosystem spanning SFA, DMS, and eB2B. This gave CCNP the flexibility and extensibility they needed for fast-changing market requirements.

2. Convergent view and improved sales–retailer experience

The Lighthouse version introduced:

• A unified view of orders across platforms
• Ability to respond to abandoned carts
• Remote nudges for outlet adoption
• Improvements to perfect order scores

3. Support for complex promotions, including consumer schemes

The upgraded Cokebuddy could manage a wider range of promotions natively, reducing dependency on repeated fresh development and improving program execution quality.

4. Real-time synchronization for faster operations

Instant sync across systems improved visibility and responsiveness, reducing delays for sales teams and ensuring retailers had timely, accurate information.

5. A 30-day project plan executed under pressure

To meet CCNP’s one-month deadline, Vxceed prepared an accelerated plan covering configuration, setup, UAT, and pilot testing. When the go-live was preponed by a full week, both teams worked extended hours to complete the migration successfully.

Key Highlights of the Cokebuddy Migration

B2B is a very critical digital intervention in Nepal due to local conditions. Once CCNP decided to extend the B2B capabilities from Lighthouse platform, the migration required careful planning and execution to ensure zero business disruption. Some of the key highlights of the migration are outlined below.

Transformation and Impact

1. Completely smooth operations from go-live

The transition to Vxceed’s version occurred without affecting daily order placement. Only a handful of outlets faced blocked account login issues due to incorrect passwords.

2. Improved operational rigor through unified support

With the B2B app now part of an integrated Lighthouse platform, support channels became unified. Retailers found it easier to reach out and resolve issues instantly, improving daily usage.

3. Minimal technical issues and rapid stabilization

Aside from a couple of configuration-specific glitches, no major technical challenges occurred during rollout. Adaptability concerns on the field were handled promptly by the CCNP team.