Britvic Goes Beyond the Bottle, Launching IoT-Connected Device on AWS Using Green Custard

Britvic, a UK-based soft drinks company, had a proof-of-concept (PoC) of an Internet of Things (IoT) connected, environmentally-friendly flavored water dispenser, called the Aqua Libra Flavour Tap, and chose AWS Partner Green Custard to help develop, test, and distribute a viable prototype in just 8 weeks using Amazon Web Services (AWS). Just one fully-stocked Flavour Tap eliminates the need for hundreds of single-use containers every week, reducing waste and emissions. The company used AWS IoT Core to implement and manage the IoT connectivity of the Flavour Tap devices, which are now being rolled out in numerous workplace and commercial settings across the UK.

Britvic is a UK-based soft drinks company with operations in Brazil, France, and Ireland that distributes its products globally. Changes in the market—a desire by consumers for more healthy alternatives and growing concerns about single-use container waste—led the company to create a flavored water dispenser called the Aqua Libra Flavour Tap. The device carries the Aqua Libra name, a popular brand of flavor-infused water and aims to offer thirsty consumers zero waste access to the beverage of their choice.

The Flavour Tap was primarily conceived to serve the workplace segment, where Britvic believes there is a growth opportunity. According to Britvic, the average UK office generates 23,000 single-use plastic bottles as waste annually, even though most staff have a reusable cup or water bottle of their own. The Flavour Tap was designed to give users the option of chilled still or sparkling water or, if they prefer, lightly flavored water with no sugar or artificial flavorings. “The Aqua Libra Flavour Tap is a response to multiple factors,” says Scott MacKenzie, director of beyond the bottle platforms at Britvic. “There is growing legislation around single-use plastics and consumers have also committed to reusables.”

Britvic believed that ease of operation and maintenance were key to gaining a place in office break rooms and cafeterias. The dispensing tap can be controlled by a built-in touchscreen or by a mobile app and uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to report usage information and signal any problems. It would also give the company first-hand usage data rather than having to rely on third-party information from distributors and retailers. MacKenzie’s team developed a proof-of-concept (PoC) on its own and got management buy-in to build and test a prototype. It also had a customer willing to install the test unit. What it needed was a prototype it could deploy in real-world service.

Britvic had developed the PoC on AWS but knew it didn’t have the skills needed to develop the prototype. It began discussions with several companies, looking for a good fit, before choosing AWS Partner Green Custard. “We toyed around with two or three other partners,” says MacKenzie. “We actually had another partner that we did a little bit of work with on the original proof of concept. But when we started the discussion with Green Custard, it became clear very quickly that they had the experience and the skills to help us accelerate where we wanted to go with the product.”

Green Custard worked with Britvic to develop the software on AWS to power the device and to give it connectivity using AWS IoT Core, which allows users to easily and securely connect devices to the cloud. It took only 8 weeks from the time Green Custard came on board—and 3 months total—to get the prototype ready for use. “We had to hit the ground running,” says Jonathan Custance, director and owner of Green Custard. “Britvic had done a good job on devising the hardware and knew what capabilities they wanted in the software.”

Together, Britvic and Green Custard developed the prototype and gave it the capabilities it needed. This included using Amazon API Gateway—which enables users to create, maintain, and secure APIs at any scale—to connect users’ smartphones to the Flavour Tap, and Amazon CloudFront to securely deliver content with low latency and high transfer speeds. Using AWS IoT Core, the Flavour Tap can capture targeted information, such as the most popular drinks, location data, and other usage data for market analysis, performance monitoring, and restocking purposes. The Flavour Tap can also receive drink recipes from Britvic using remote cloud connectivity powered by AWS IoT.

Cortesy: Britvic

The near-real time information, gathered by the prototype and transmitted using AWS IoT Core over the unit’s cellular connectivity, helped Britvic understand how users wanted to consume flavored water. The company expected to see high usage in the later part of the day, with hot beverages like tea and coffee being more popular in the morning. Instead, it found strong all-day demand. It was also able to alert the operator when flavor capsules—which are designed to be easily changed, much like a printer cartridge—needed to be changed.

The company is now in the process of rolling out hundreds of units across the UK. Most are going in workplaces, but some are intended for commercial installations, where consumers will be able to refill their containers at stores, cafes, and other outlets. “We’ve learned a lot from the trial,” says Custance. “We’ve been able to use what we’ve learned and helped Britvic expand the capabilities of the Flavour Tap to meet business needs and improve environmental benefits.”

Britvic saw changing market conditions as an opportunity to expand the business and reduce waste and CO₂ emissions at the same time. “Just one fully-stocked Flavour Tap can eliminate the need for 10,000 bottles,” says MacKenzie. “That saves emissions on manufacturing, shipping, and refrigeration as well as removing those containers from the waste stream. Working with Green Custard and using AWS, we’ve shown that sustainability doesn’t have to hurt business.”