Nestlé: Mobile apps and digital platforms for supply chain and business improvement
!nShelf is a gamification mobile application designed for Nestlé employees, their families, and friends. The app allows users to enter on-shelf availability and freshness data of Nestlé products found in stores. In return for entering this information, users are rewarded with points that can be exchanged for gifts, helping improve product availability and freshness in stores.
Nestlé wanted to provide more value to its customers and asked for a new app to be built from scratch, reusing parts of its existing backend. The app would allow customers to scan barcodes and batch codes directly in stores, track product flow, and even add new stores where Nestlé products are sold but not yet listed in the system.
One of the biggest technical challenges was adapting the camera recognition system to emerging markets such as India and Brazil, where lower-quality phone cameras slowed or failed recognition of batch codes. To address this, a manual entry option was included. Another challenge arose in China, where the barcode and batch recognition library, based on Google machine learning technology, could not be used because Google services are restricted in the country.
Nestlé’s innovation process
The first step was to design and develop two mobile applications (iOS and Android) along with parts of a new backend. These apps followed the latest design guidelines and applied an MVP pattern based on Clean Architecture, ensuring long-term robustness and scalability.
Next, the apps were integrated with the backend, enabling users to scan products in stores, participate in loyalty mechanics, and contribute valuable data to Nestlé’s supply chain. Continuous support was provided for new business requests to ensure the system evolved with market needs.
In parallel, Nestlé also advanced with OSCAR, a platform available to all employees to propose and track improvement ideas across the company. This tool replaced a third-party system, fully adapted to Nestlé’s workflows, and helped identify initiatives to save costs, reduce waste, and improve performance.
Finally, other strategic projects were delivered, including the Nestlé Supplier Portal and Source to Pay solutions, which connect Nestlé with its suppliers and are instrumental for managing global orders and strengthening the company’s supply chain.
Results
- Launch of robust mobile apps for iOS and Android using Clean Architecture
- Improved on-shelf data collection with gamification and reward mechanisms
- Adaptation of features to local constraints in emerging markets and China
- Development of OSCAR platform for employee-driven improvement ideas
- Implementation of Nestlé Supplier Portal and Source to Pay as key supply chain tools
- Greater control of product flow and enhanced collaboration with providers worldwide
We are ready for new challenges
