Case Study

PEPsense: Powering PepsiCo's Journey to Connected Intelligence and Sustainability

In 2019, PepsiCo embarked on a transformative journey in collaboration with Mesh Systems. Through a comprehensive strategy to gain a competitive edge and enhance their consumer offerings, they desired to have a robust enterprise IoT platform called “PEPsense”, and PepsiCo’s weight-sensing technology, coined the “SmartBase”.
GOALS

A Holistic Approach for an Innovative and Sustainable Future

PepsiCo, after acquiring SodaStream in 2018, recognized the immense potential of IoT to gain a competitive edge and enhance their consumer offerings. The primary challenges were: 

  • Streamlining the CO2 cylinder re-order process for SodaStream users.
  • Understanding consumer behaviors and preferences to unlock new revenue streams. 
  • Promoting sustainability by reducing single-use plastic bottles and encouraging the use of reusable bottles via the ‘Beyond the Bottle’ campaign. 
SOLUTION

A Strategy to Scale Across All Products, Both Existing and New

Mesh Systems, in collaboration with Microsoft and PepsiCo, devised a holistic strategy to address these challenges. The result was centered around the SodaStream use-case, but with the broad universe of millions of PepsiCo ‘things’ in clear view. 

PEPsense

A robust enterprise IoT platform built on Azure, with SodaStream as its pilot product, was conceived to onboard complex applications and drive new business models. 

SmartBase

A purpose-built solution containing weight sensing technology called the “SmartBase”, which effectively measures the amount of CO2 left in cylinders, providing an auto-replenishment option. This pilot solution was not only suitable for the current SodaStream model but was also compatible with the millions of machines already owned by consumers. 

OUTCOMES

Results​

 With the introduction of PEPsense and the SodaStream SmartBase, PepsiCo achieved: 

Data-Backed Insights

PepsiCo has unlocked insights into their operations like never before, informing decision-making and enhancing the consumer experience. 

Reduced Friction for Re-Ordering

Mesh’s custom-built “SmartBase” measures the weight of cylinders to enable an auto-replenishment schedule and gather consumption metrics based on button presses, user profiles, and system usage.

Commitment to Sustainability

PepsiCo reinforced its commitment to a sustainable future, with Mesh Systems playing a pivotal role in promoting the use of reusable bottles and reducing the reliance on single-use plastics. 

This collaboration between PepsiCo, Mesh Systems, and Microsoft is a testament to the power of IoT in revolutionizing industries, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable practices.
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