Aquablu
Shopify Plus development with custom app, checkout extensions, delivery calculator, and integrations with CRM/ERP systems to optimize B2B and D2C operations
Building a Shopify Plus store for B2B and D2C sales for a water brand
Location:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cooperation model:
Industry:
Partnership period:
December 2024 – May 2025
Improvements plan:
Discovery phase, requirements analysis and estimation, custom Shopify app development, Shopify website development, Shopify integration, testing, delivery
Team size:
Shopify Plus developer, Shopify app developer, Team lead, QA, Project manager
Technologies:
About the client
Aquablu is a Dutch brand on a mission to make plastic bottles obsolete. Founded in 2018 and based in Amsterdam, the company creates innovative hydration solutions that enhance the quality of water and assist the organization in achieving its sustainability objectives.
Their systems are designed for offices, commercial spaces, and high-traffic areas, offering employees and visitors healthier hydration options. By cooperating with the largest companies in the world, Aquablu aims to facilitate employee well-being and decrease the harmful effects on the environment through low-impact drinking water alternatives.
About the product
REFILL+ is Aquablu’s flagship hydration system, which is a plumbed-in, sleek water dispenser that combines environmental care with health benefits. It offers chilled, still, or sparkling water with natural flavours that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Due to CleanFlow filtration and UV treatment, all pours are safe, fresh, and free from contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, PFAS, and microplastics. REFILL+ is convenient, engaging, and eco-friendly, offering up to 48 drink variations, smart maintenance updates, and eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.
Challenges in developing a custom Shopify app for B2B customers
When Aquablu approached DigitalSuits, they faced the following operational and technical challenges:
- Disconnected systems. The process of invoicing, warehouse, and delivery was handled on different platforms, which posed a significant bottleneck in operations.
- No unified admin. The client lacked a centralized system to manage products, customers, and orders.
- Complex client structure. Many B2B customers operated multiple offices requiring separate orders under a single account. Also, the resellers required functionality to place orders on behalf of their customers.
- Custom delivery conditions. Shipping rates differed depending on the size of the order, pallet or box delivery, and international duties. The system needed to compute optimal delivery methods.
- Address validation. One of the integrated systems required house numbers during checkout, but Shopify didn’t support this functionality out of the box.
- Special product handling. Carriers were unable to deliver CO2 cylinders through the usual courier service; consequently, this required the automatic routing of the cylinders to specialized carriers.
- Taxation rules. Food-related flavor products required a reduced VAT rate in the Netherlands.
- Pre-order management. The client was required to deal with out-of-stock products with a queue system to release orders whenever stock was replenished automatically.
Tailored solutions for a Shopify Plus store delivered by DigitalSuits
To overcome these challenges, DigitalSuits offered its professional Shopify B2B development services and built a Shopify Plus store from scratch with a custom application and checkout extensions.
- Custom delivery cost calculator application. DigitalSuits built a custom Shopify app that calculates delivery costs in real time. This Shopify app for the delivery system retrieves real-time price estimates for third-party transport, utilizing formulas based on the size, weight, and type of delivery (pallets or boxes), and provides optimized shipping options. Customer transparency and trust also increased, since the app now displays estimated delivery times from logistics providers during checkout.
- Pre-order queue system. To handle out-of-stock situations, the team built a pre-order queue system. Items with no inventory were marked as pre-orders, and mixed orders that had these items were added to a waiting list. When stocks were refilled, the system automatically pushed the pending orders to be shipped, ensuring seamless order management.
- Checkout UI extensions. Leveraging our expertise in Shopify app extensions development, we developed custom Shopify checkout UI extensions using the Remix framework and seamlessly integrated them into the client's store. These enhancements introduced mandatory address validation by requiring a house number and visible dynamic details based on the order type (B2B or D2C), as well as product-specific notices where necessary.
- Special delivery routing. Some of the products, such as CO2 cylinders, could not be sent by ordinary courier services. To overcome this, DigitalSuits deployed a delivery routing system that automatically redirected such orders to specific providers that ensure regulatory compliance and safe transportation.
- Tax customization. The Shopify Plus store was tailored to impose lower VAT rates on flavored products sold in the Netherlands. This ensures the proper treatment of taxes and adherence to local laws, while also making financial operations easier for the client.
- CRM/ERP integration. Our experts ensured a seamless Shopify ERP integration with Exact Online (ERP) via xCore and with Wics through a custom app, enabling real-time synchronization of customer, order, and inventory information. DigitalSuits’ team also provided Shopify consulting and testing to ensure smooth workflows between the ERP and CRM systems without disrupting business operations.
- Email notifications. Automated email notifications were configured by subscribing to the logistics provider webhooks. It enabled the system to initiate real-time updates on order status and send automated personalized thank-you emails after delivery, enhancing communication and strengthening customer engagement.
- UI/UX polishing. The client’s Shopify web design was enhanced with minor design updates, product badges, and style customizations. These changes not only elevated the look of the store but also improved the overall customer experience.
Results of building a Shopify Plus store for B2B sales and a custom Shopify app for B2B customers
The collaboration between Aquablu and DigitalSuits brought a fundamental transformation to the company’s operations. By integrating all CRMs, ERPs, delivery systems, and order management into a single Shopify Plus ecosystem, Aquablu moved from fragmented processes to a streamlined platform.
Key outcomes achieved:
- €900,000 in sales in the initial months of launching.
- 33% faster workflows and significant time savings for managers.
- 100% seamless integration of all systems, including Shopify CRM integration, Shopify ERP integration, delivery services, and order tracking. They are integrated under a single dashboard, reducing errors and duplication.
In addition, Aquablu now benefits from optimized and transparent processes, as managers no longer face confusion in their workflow, and the team can easily monitor statuses and update products in a single place. The company has also achieved improved scalability, thanks to an integrated system that enables sustainable growth and more effective business management.
The previous disorganized and confusing Shopify Plus setup with separate systems was replaced by a unified, reliable solution that facilitated the company’s efficiency and sales growth.
The success of Aquablu’s new B2B ecosystem highlights why more companies are choosing Shopify Plus for advanced ecommerce operations. For a deeper dive into its advantages, read our article – Reasons to Go for Shopify and Shopify Plus for B2B.
If you’re looking to hire Shopify Plus developers with strong expertise in custom development and Shopify integration, look no further - contact DigitalSuits. Our team is here to build custom solutions tailored to your B2B business needs.
Khrystyna Skvarok
Product Manager, Aquablu
5.0
"I'm really impressed by how responsible they are when taking on a project."
DigitalSuits delivered the project smoothly and on time. The client was pleased with the platform's performance, which eliminated 60% of the manual work in the order handling process and improved operational efficiency. DigitalSuits was highly responsive, professional, and solution-oriented.