The problem

For years, b/ackcode has specialized in creating immersive digital experiences for luxury brands, delivering cutting-edge projects like interactive product configurators and custom high end 3D solutions. When one client, Norqain, approached them looking to unify their online and in-store shopping experiences, the team found themselves in uncharted territory. Taking on the project would require b/ackcode to build their first Shopify integration, with only six months to learn the platform.

"Originally, they just wanted an offline configurator with PDF outputs for their showrooms," explained Bojan Andrejek, CTO and co-founder at b/ackcode. “But halfway through development, they completely changed direction.” After months of work, Norqain told b/ackcode they wanted customers to be able to start designing a watch in one of their retail locations, save that configuration, and seamlessly continue the purchase online, or vice versa.

Although they had made good progress, the technical complexity was overwhelming. On top of the new Shopify requirement, the app needed to sync 3D watch configurations across multiple platforms in real-time. Norqain also wanted to use it to manage commission splits between online and retail sales, and multi-currency pricing had to work flawlessly. With watches selling for more than $20,000 and up, any technical failure could mean lost sales and damaged relationships.

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“We'd already burned through half our timeline, and now we needed to learn an entirely new platform from scratch." Bojan explained. Building a custom Shopify app would require extensive backend development, OAuth implementation, understanding Shopify's API requirements, and webhook processing. It seemed impossible.

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With only 3 months left to complete the project, the team needed help.

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The solution

With the deadline approaching fast, Bojan researched solutions to accelerate their Shopify integration, which led him to Gadget. At a glance, it was the answer to all of b/ackcode’s problems. 

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"I was researching how to build a Shopify app to get our data to communicate with their store," Bojan explained. "Building from scratch was obviously too much effort. Gadget handles all that boilerplate. I thought, let's try it."

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What would have taken weeks was ready in minutes. Because the platform was a full-stack development platform with a built-in Shopify connection, Gadget provided a fully-provisioned backend, database, and all of the necessary Shopify models. The team wouldn’t need to set up any infrastructure or APIs, and they could focus all of their limited time on building.

The platform's impact went beyond initial setup. When b/ackcode needed to pivot from Unreal Engine to a web-based version, Gadget made it possible. They ported the entire system using Play Canvas, all while keeping the data flowing back to Shopify. The original configurator became a system of three interconnected tools: the Unreal Engine showroom version, a merchant portal, and a web version embedded in Shopify.

The platform also provided critical monitoring for Norqain's high-value customers. "If there's any problem, like PDF generation failing, we immediately see which server failed," explained Andrea Edelman, b/ackcode's CEO & co-founder. "We can fix it before it impacts customers, so maybe five people are affected instead of 500."

After the app was built, Gadget's AI assistant made minor bug fixes easy. When b/ackcode needed to fix a PDF generation issue, Bojan simply described the problem to the AI, which found the issue immediately. Even when returning to code written months earlier under tight deadlines, the team can quickly understand and modify the system thanks to the AI's complete knowledge of the codebase and database structure.

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"It knows the database and code structure completely," Bojan said. "I fixed it right inside Gadget. No need to pull down the code locally. Just fix it on the spot and hit deploy."

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The results

With Gadget handling the infrastructure and Shopify integration, b/ackcode delivered a fully functional, production-ready system within their aggressive timeline—something that would have been impossible building from scratch.

• 70% reduction in development time for the Shopify integration compared to building from scratch
• 2+ years of stable operation with minimal maintenance required
• Automated app maintenance instead of constant updates
• 300 retail locations seamlessly connected to online shopping experience
• Zero-setup Shopify connection set up in minutes instead of weeks

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From impossible to achievable

Without Gadget, b/ackcode likely would have had to tell Norqain that they couldn’t expand the scope of the project. Instead, they were able to build the perfect solution. What could have been a project-ending challenge became a manageable sprint, allowing b/ackcode to meet Norqain's evolving requirements without sacrificing quality or missing deadlines. In Bojan’s words: "Would this project have happened without Gadget? Absolutely not. We would have had to tell the client it wasn't feasible. Instead, we delivered everything they wanted and more."

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Unified shopping experience

In just six months, b/ackcode built a complete system that allows customers to design their ideal watch in any of Norqain's 300 retail locations, save the design, and complete the purchase online — or begin online and finalize in-store. Every configuration is accessible via QR code or six-digit code. It's the kind of seamless omnichannel experience that luxury brands strive for but rarely achieve.

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Minimal maintenance burden

Two years after launch, the app continues to run with minimal intervention. b/ackcode touches the codebase just once every three to six months for minor updates or bug fixes, freeing them to focus on new projects rather than maintaining existing infrastructure. 

When Shopify releases API updates that would typically require extensive refactoring, Gadget handles the upgrades automatically.

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“Gadget handles so much of the maintenance that we’re not worried about anything Shopify throws at us." Bojan shared.

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‍New business opportunities

The success with Norqain opened doors to Shopify integration projects that b/ackcode wouldn't have previously pursued. "Before this, we didn't really do Shopify work beyond basic themes," Andrea noted. "Now it's a major part of our business. Gadget means we can confidently tell luxury clients we'll connect their retail experience to Shopify, knowing we can deliver on time and on budget."

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Learning curve eliminated

Despite never working with Shopify apps before this project, b/ackcode was able to launch a complex custom app in just three months. "I had zero Shopify experience. No knowledge of Liquid, no understanding of their APIs, nothing," Bojan reflected. "With Gadget, that didn't matter. I went from being a complete beginner to shipping a complex production app in under three months."

For b/ackcode, Gadget didn't just save a critical project—it opened an entirely new market. By eliminating infrastructure burden and making Shopify accessible to their team, Gadget let them focus on what they do best: creating exceptional digital experiences for the world's most prestigious brands.