Case Study - Automating Product Image Processing for Multi-Retailer Ecommerce

The Challenge

A UK-based sustainable womenswear brand works with multiple retail partners including major department stores and online marketplaces. Each retailer has strict requirements for product image naming conventions—and they're all different.

Previously, the team was manually renaming thousands of images for each retail partner. This process was:

• Time-consuming: 50+ hours per year spent on manual renaming
• Error-prone: Incorrect naming led to rejected uploads and delays
• Complex: Each retailer had different suffix rules and naming patterns

They needed an automated solution that could handle each retailer's specific requirements while being simple enough for their team to use.

The Solution

We built Image Processor Pro, a custom desktop application using Electron and Next.js. The app provides an intuitive wizard-based interface that guides users through the image processing workflow:

1. Select retailer — Choose from supported retail partners
2. Configure and select files — Pick the images to process
3. Process with real-time feedback — Watch progress and review results

Key Features

Multi-Retailer Support

Each retailer processor implements specific naming rules. Some retailers require suffix transformations, while others use EAN-based filename mapping from CSV files.

Batch Processing

The app handles hundreds of images simultaneously, with real-time progress tracking showing exactly which files are being processed and their new names.

Safe Operations

Files are copied rather than modified—originals are never touched. The output folder opens automatically in Finder when processing completes.

License Server

For distribution to the client's team, we implemented a serverless license validation system using Vercel and Redis, ensuring only authorised users can access the application.

Technical Implementation

The application architecture demonstrates modern desktop development practices:

• Electron 38 for cross-platform desktop capabilities
• Next.js 15 with React 19 for the modern, responsive UI
• TypeScript throughout for type safety
• Modular processor architecture — each retailer has a dedicated processor module
• 63 comprehensive unit tests covering all business logic

A significant refactoring effort reduced the main component from 760 lines to 160 lines—a 78% complexity reduction—while maintaining full functionality and improving maintainability.

The Results

The Image Processor Pro has transformed the client's workflow:

• 50+ hours saved annually on manual image renaming
• Near-zero error rate with automated validation
• Multiple retailers supported with extensible architecture for adding more
• 100% test pass rate ensuring reliable operation

The modular design means adding support for new retail partners requires minimal development effort—just a new processor module following established patterns.

What we did