Introducing Sippr
Student Project 2019
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Overview
Sippr is an advanced AI-integrated pre-ordering system designed for coffee shops and their customers, ensuring a seamless and efficient ordering experience. The platform streamlines operations by reducing wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction, allowing baristas to focus on crafting high-quality beverages. Sippr integrates mobile ordering, payment processing, order tracking, inventory management, and data analytics into one intuitive system, optimizing workflow while improving service speed and accuracy.
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Project Statements
Problem Statement:
Customers and coffee shop owners face inefficiencies in the coffee ordering process. Customers experience long wait times, order inaccuracies, and inconvenience, while café owners struggle with peak-hour congestion, operational inefficiencies, and inconsistent revenue. The lack of a streamlined, digital-first ordering system results in lost sales, frustrated customers, and increased operational stress.
Solution Statement:
AI Barista provides a seamless pre-ordering system that allows customers to place and pay for their coffee orders in advance, reducing wait times and ensuring order accuracy. For café owners, the platform optimizes order management, improves workflow efficiency, and provides valuable sales insights. By integrating mobile ordering, digital payments, and predictive analytics, AI Barista enhances the overall coffee experience for both customers and businesses.
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Scope of Work
Direct the design and documentation process, translating user requirements into logical user flows and website mock-ups, storyboards, and information architecture, streamlining development processes.
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Company Background
Jimmy's Coffee was founded in December 2009, and is owned by Phil Morrison, positions itself as a boutique coffee shop business that prides in providing customized options for coffee with in-store customer experience, tailored based on the location of the store.
Research was conducted on Jimmy's Coffee premises in the following locations: 107 Portland, Roncesvalles, Kensington Market, Gerrard, Ossington, Queen West, Queen East, McCaul, Mimico.
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Demos — Various Scenarios
Please scroll right to view all scenarios. Tap on the play button to play the screen recording.
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Non-peak hour orders — New customer placing order through the app with Ashley
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Non-peak hour orders — Repeat customer placing order through the app with Ashley
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Peak hour orders — Repeat customer placing new order through the app
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Peak hour orders — Repeat customer placing last order through the app
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Demos — App Functionality
Please scroll right to view all scenarios. Tap on the play button to play the screen recording.
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Login and account setup
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Profile preferences setup
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Loading funds
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Error insufficient funds
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Error insufficient points
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Taskflows
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Low Fidelity Wireframes
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High Fidelity Wireframes
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Personas
Persona 3: The Casual Coffee Lover — Maria
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Location: Kensington Market
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Age: 26
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Occupation: Design Lead at a Studio
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Background: Hails from out of GTA
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Tech Savvy: High
Daily Routine:
Maria enjoys working from coffee shops, using them as a creative escape. She values a relaxed coffee experience but dislikes standing in line or carrying cash.
Pain Points:
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Inconvenience of long lines and waits.
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Finds it awkward to request detailed customizations in person.
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Prefers contactless payments and digital ordering.
Behavioral Insights:
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Prefers boutique coffee shops over large chains.
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Orders based on mood—sometimes a hot cappuccino, other times an iced caramel macchiato.
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Enjoys discovering new menu items but doesn’t want to spend too much time deciding.
Purchasing Habits:
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Typically orders a drink and a pastry in the afternoon.
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Uses digital wallets like Google Pay.
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Responds well to recommendations based on past orders.
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More likely to engage with in-app promotions and seasonal drinks.
How Sippr would help:
✅ Lets Maria customize and order ahead without pressure.
✅ Offers a frictionless, cash-free payment experience.
✅ Suggests favorite or previous orders for one-tap reordering.
✅ Provides loyalty perks, keeping him engaged with the app.
Persona 2: The Café Owner – Jake
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Location: Multiple Locations
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Age: 45
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Occupation: Coffee Shop Owner
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Background: Hails from the bustling downtown area
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Tech Savvy: Moderate
Daily Routine:
Jake runs a popular café with heavy foot traffic during the morning rush and lunch breaks. He needs an efficient way to manage orders while keeping customer service personal.
Pain Points:
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Overwhelmed by large crowds at peak hours.
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Manual order-taking leads to mistakes and lost revenue from time to time during rush hours.
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Wants to improve efficiency without losing the personal touch.
Behavioral Insights:
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Prioritizes customer satisfaction and retention.
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Looks for ways to optimize staff productivity without hiring more employees.
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Adopts technology that improves workflow but prefers easy-to-use platforms.
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Invests in tech that directly improves operational efficiency.
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Uses analytics to track best-selling drinks and peak order times.
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Offers promotional discounts to customers who pre-order, increasing app adoption.
How Sippr would help:
✅ Streamlines mobile orders, reducing congestion.
✅ Reduces order errors with digital tracking and customer customization.
✅ Provides real-time insights on sales trends and peak hours.
✅ Increases revenue through upselling and repeat orders.
Persona 1: The Professional Alex
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Location: Gerrard Street
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Age: 32
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Occupation: Marketing Manager at a Tech Firm
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Background: Hails from Midtown Upper middle class
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Tech Savvy: High
Daily Routine:
Alex wakes up early, checks emails on their commute, and needs a reliable caffeine boost before heading into back-to-back meetings. They prefer quick, no-hassle service and often stick to a routine.
Pain Points:
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Limited time for coffee breaks.
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Frustrated by long lines and slow service.
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Prefers a predictable and efficient routine.
Behavioral Insights:
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Uses apps for convenience (rideshare, meal delivery, calendar scheduling).
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Prefers pre-ordering to avoid unpredictability.
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Likely to integrate Sippr with their smartwatch.
Purchasing Habits:
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Orders a medium iced latte with oat milk every weekday at 8:15 AM.
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Occasionally adds a breakfast sandwich or protein bar.
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Uses a corporate expense card or Apple Pay for seamless transactions.
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Responds well to push notifications reminding them to order ahead.
How Sippr would Help:
✅ Pre-order and pay via the app.
✅ Schedule pickups at the nearest café with real-time order tracking.
✅ Loyalty rewards for frequent purchases.
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Research
Focused Research questions:
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How often do you frequent coffee shops?
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Do you prefer large, national chain coffee shops or small, privately owned coffee shops?
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What is your favorite coffee shop?
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On a scale of 1 - 5 (5 being the highest) how important are the following qualities to you when choosing a coffee shop? Quality of product, time, proximity, price, noise level, atmosphere.
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Apart from/in addition to the above criteria, if a coffee shop offered discounts and promotions, would that encourage you to buy from the business?
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Do you prefer pre-ordering your items or place the order in-store for payment and pickup?
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Why do you prefer pre-ordering your items?
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(Boutique coffee shop customers only) Which is your favourite boutique coffee shop?
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(Boutique coffee shop customers only) Would you use a voice-based app for pre-ordering to avoid wait time?
Focused Research data outline:
There were 35 people interviewed in total — 14 people who were Jimmy’s customers, and 10 were customers of their direct competitors (5 each from Sam James & Dark Horse), and 11 from indirect competitors.
Preliminary Research data outline
There were 25 people interviewed in total — 15 people who were Jimmy’s customers, and 10 were non-customers.
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SWOT Analysis
Strengths
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Premium pricing strategy with broad customer base positioning Sippr as an upmarket boutique coffee brand
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Strategic focus on central Toronto markets for accelerated growth and community penetration
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Strong community connection through local events, consistent quality across locations, and positive workplace culture
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Authentic brand reputation with high customer trust and positive reviews
Weaknesses
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Limited market presence (Toronto only) with minimal pricing power compared to larger competitors
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Longer wait times during peak hours at boutique coffee shops
Opportunities
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Development of an interactive pre-ordering system that maintains community experience while improving efficiency.
Threats
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Direct competition from other boutique coffee businesses (Sam James, Dark Horse, etc.)
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Indirect competition from established chains with advanced mobile ordering systems (Tim Hortons, Starbucks, etc.)
Sam James Coffee
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Founded: 2009
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Locations: Harbord Street, Queen St. King St., Toronto Street, Spadina Avenue
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Specialities: Boutique coffee shop, that only deals in Cut Coffee, Sam James’ local roastery and has seasonal rotations on its menu
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Extremely community driven with a very loyal consumer base and the business emphasizes on interactions with its customers
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Hangout spaces in cafes
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The website has its locations and apparel and product shopping portal
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The tone of its social media interactions are pretty casual
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Facebook is more of a relationship channel and Instagram is more of a reach channel for its customers.
Dark Horse Expresso Bar
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Founded: 2006
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Locations: 402 Richmond, John Street, Spadina Avenue, Riverside, Geary Avenue Bakery and Canary
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Boutique coffee shop, yet its prices are pretty competitive on the lower spectrum specializing in expresso, bakery goods, cold brews and fresh juices
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Extremely community driven with a very loyal consumer base and the business lays importance on customer interactions
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Pre-orders at select locations (Richmond, Spadina Avenue, John Street)
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The website has its locations, product description and order ahead option
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The tone of its social media interactions are pretty casual
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Facebook is more of a relationship channel and Instagram is more of a reach channel for its customers
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Direct Competitor Analysis — Boutique Coffee
Tim Hortons App
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Positions itself as a commodity beverage business
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Limited customization options of the beverage
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The quality of product based on recipe customization can differ from one store to another
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The entire order can be placed through the app from choosing the food/beverage to customizing it, and making the payment for the order
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Works best for in-store pickups and delivery as it minimizes the waiting time in queue and deciding time to place the order
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Secure payment transactions
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Promotions and availability of food and beverages are mostly consistent in all stores during the promotional offers
Starbucks App
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Positions itself as a luxury beverage business
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The coffee cups are often viewed as badges of honour by its customers
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The quality of product based on recipe customization remains the same in all stores across the globe
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Extensive customization options of the beverage
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The entire order can be placed through the app from choosing the food/beverage to customizing it, and making the payment for the order
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Works best for in-store pickups and delivery as it minimizes the waiting time in queue and deciding time to place the order
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Secure payment transactions
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Promotions and limited beverages availabilities differ from store to store, in any given season
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Direct Competitor Analysis — App/Pre-orders
