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Case study · Logistics & Supply Chain

Connecting Vehicle and Container Tracking to Inland Transport Operations

A logistics technology client needed a central control system and vehicle PDAs to help shipping lines and haulage operators manage inland transport. The project connected live tracking, estimated arrival times and electronic proof of delivery.

.NET Framework 2.0Windows CE 5.0Oracle 10g
Illustrative port logistics interface with a manifest binder, generic vehicle and container tags, quay queue, ETA states, GPS and GPRS indicators, EDI exchange, and proof of delivery.
Illustrative port vehicle and container tracking workspace; not a production screenshot.
Client context
Shipping, haulage and fleet operators
recorded project effort
80 person-months
web, PDA and EDI
3 workstreams
tracking and communication
GPS/GPRS

The operating constraints

What the project needed to address

  • Shipping and haulage operators needed better visibility of vehicle and container movement as UK port traffic grew.
  • Vehicle PDAs needed wireless communication with the central system and its database.
  • The platform needed to integrate geographic and business data using EDI while supporting client-specific interfaces.

Platform scope

Connect the control centre, vehicle devices and business interfaces

Delivered a component-based logistics platform with a central control system, Windows CE vehicle PDAs, wireless web services and EDI integration. Web Parts supported client customisation.

Delivery workstreams

Coordinate web, PDA and EDI development

  1. Ran web, PDA and EDI development workstreams in parallel, supported by a project manager, system architect and QA team.

  2. Used .NET Framework 2.0, Windows CE 5.0 and Oracle 10g. MapPoint displayed central tracking information, while TomTom supported PDA navigation.

  3. Used VSTS for project management and a prototype-based development approach. Automated coding, testing and builds supported delivery.

  4. Covered requirements analysis, architecture, implementation, testing and server deployment.

Technology and delivery context

Tools and practices recorded for this engagement

.NET Framework 2.0Windows CE 5.0Oracle 10gGPS/GPRSMapPointTomTomSharePointEDI

The result

Recorded project outcomes

Delivered live web vehicle tracking, estimated arrival times and electronic proof of delivery.

Improved transport visibility and the experience of hauliers, shippers and their customers.

A component-based SOA structure supported additional integration connectors as business requirements changed.

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