Case Study

    OPI

    Supported expansion from 65 to 100+ countries served. Enabled revenue growth from $280M to $750M over the following decade. Facilitated 200% catalog growth with doubled shade offerings. Provided flexible architecture supporting market-specific release strategies.

    Global Manufacturing Data Architect

    Complex Multi-Country Product Management & Translation Systems

    OPI, the global nail color manufacturer serving 65 countries with over 10,000 products and 124 collections in the US alone, faced a complex operational challenge that many global manufacturers know well. They needed to coordinate product releases across different markets, each with unique timing requirements, localized product variations, and market-specific needs.

    Their existing systems couldn’t handle the complexity of products that might appear in different collections depending on the country, have different release dates by region, or even feature slightly different formulations while maintaining the same collection identity. The translation and localization process was manual and time-consuming, creating bottlenecks that limited their ability to expand into new markets efficiently.

    OPI needed a sophisticated data architecture that could support their global manufacturing coordination while streamlining the complex process of managing multilingual product information across diverse markets.

    Our Approach

    Multidimensional Data Architecture

    Working in partnership with Exaltation of Larks in 2014, we took on the technical architecture, development, and user experience design for this complex global manufacturing challenge.

    Phase 1: Complex Data Architecture Design

    We built a multidimensional system architecture that could handle OPI’s global complexity:

    Global Product-Collection Mapping:

    • Designed flexible architecture where products could belong to different collections in different countries
    • Built country-specific release date management supporting staggered global launches
    • Created localization framework supporting pricing, availability, and regulatory variations by region
    • Enabled different product names and formulations within the same collection across markets

    Scalable Data Structure:

    • Co-architected system to handle 10,000+ products across 100+ countries
    • Built relationships supporting 120+ collections with variable country assignments
    • Created framework for market-specific product variations and regulatory compliance
    • Designed performance optimization for complex multi-country queries

    Phase 2: Custom Translation Management System

    We developed a purpose-built translation interface that transformed OPI’s localization workflow:

    Side-by-Side Translation Interface:

    • Built custom UI showing source language on left, target language on right
    • Created seamless workflow allowing translators to work efficiently without switching screens
    • Implemented full workflow management with approval processes and version control
    • Designed system specifically for beauty industry terminology and color descriptions

    Workflow Optimization:

    • Streamlined translation process from manual coordination to systematic workflow
    • Built approval chains and quality control processes
    • Created batch processing capabilities for efficient large-scale translations
    • Integrated with OPI’s existing content management processes

    Phase 3: Production Timeline Integration

    We connected the digital architecture with OPI’s manufacturing realities:

    Manufacturing Coordination:

    Collaborated on the system-design supporting staggered launches based on manufacturing capacity and market readiness.

    • Built tools allowing OPI teams to align digital releases with production schedules
    • Created market-specific launch planning capabilities
    • Enabled flexible release strategies independent of global manufacturing timelines
    • Designed system supporting staggered launches based on manufacturing capacity and market readiness

    Results

    Transformative Business Impact

    The system we built delivered measurable results that supported OPI’s dramatic growth over the following decade:

    Immediate Operational Savings:

    • Achieved $250,000+ in estimated annual cost savings (2014 dollars, ~$320,000+ in today’s value)
    • Streamlined translation and localization workflows reducing manual coordination
    • Eliminated bottlenecks that previously limited market expansion speed
    • Created scalable processes supporting rapid international growth

    Strategic Business Growth:

    • Supported expansion from 65 to 100+ countries served
    • Enabled revenue growth from $280M to $750M over the following decade
    • Facilitated 200% catalog growth with doubled shade offerings
    • Provided flexible architecture supporting market-specific release strategies

    Operational Flexibility:

    • Enabled staggered product releases instead of global lockstep launches
    • Created market-specific customization capabilities for products and collections
    • Built scalable foundation supporting continued international expansion
    • Delivered manufacturing coordination tools aligning digital and physical operations

    Results

    • Built multidimensional architecture for 10,000+ products across 100+ countries
    • Developed custom side-by-side translation interface with workflow management
    • Achieved $250,000+ annual cost savings through automated processes
    • Enabled expansion from 65 to 100+ countries with flexible release strategies
    • Supported 200% catalog growth and ~$280M to $750M+ revenue increase
    • Created manufacturing coordination tools aligning digital and production schedules

    Get The Results You Need

    Take the next step and reach out to us. We would love to learn more about your goals so we can see if we are the right fit to meet the demands of your organization. If we are not the best choice for you, we will let you know and refer you to someone who is.