Development of web logistics systems

Most companies face the issue of logistics in one way or another, especially in the wholesale and retail trade segment. Some of them prefer to delegate the transportation of goods to contractors, while others, in order to increase business profitability, build their own supply chains.

When organizing cargo transportation, you need to understand that improper logistics management can easily lead to losses, because here you need to take into

account many factors: building optimal routes for direct and return delivery, organizing space in warehouses, fleet management, cargo tracking, and so on.

To minimize risks and automate most of these processes, there is special software – intelligent logistics systems.

Optimization of transport logistics with the help of specialized systems does not just improve processes. Such an approach allows you to reduce costs, improve the quality of customer service and make the business more profitable and efficient.

Let’s consider the main features of such systems in more detail:

• Determination of the optimal method of delivery. After receiving the order data, a special tool will automatically determine the most profitable method of transportation for the company, taking into account the weight of the goods, the length of the route and other parameters. Your employees will no longer have to perform calculations manually.
• Construction of routes. When there is more than one point on the driver’s route, route optimization becomes an extremely important stage. It will reduce mileage, increase the speed of goods delivery, reduce fuel costs and vehicle depreciation costs.

• Increasing the productivity of the warehouse. The logistics system will help to optimize the space in your warehouses, which will increase the speed of shipment and receipt of goods.
• Fleet management. Using the logistics management system, you will be able to more competently manage your fleet, control the employment of drivers, monitor the technical condition of vehicles and carry out maintenance in a timely manner.
• Cargo tracking. The logistics system provides full control over cargo transportation. You will always know exactly where the cargo is located, you will be able to track the driver’s location on the map and even adjust the delivery times taking into account different circumstances in real time.

The functionality of logistics systems can be quite extensive and is developed taking into account the individual needs of each individual company. In this case, we have given only the main possibilities of such solutions.

A web application is software that runs in a browser interface and is independent of operating systems. This means that the logistics department can use it to work in the office on PCs and laptops, and drivers can use it on the road using ordinary mobile devices. At the same time, the company does not need to invest in the development of separate solutions for each OS, which is quite economical.

Other benefits of web applications:

• They do not take up device memory.

• Convenient because they work in a familiar browser environment that is familiar to most users.
• Can be managed on a centralized server.
• Provide a high level of data security.
• They can be integrated with any other services and tools, which makes the work even easier and more convenient.

When developing web-based logistics systems, our company’s specialists use the Scrum methodology, which involves an iterative approach. In simple terms, with this approach, the project is implemented in short sprints of up to two weeks, which are subsequently presented to the customer and approved.

In addition to the methodology, there are also development stages. These are the specific steps a project goes through before being released. Let’s take a closer look at the six main steps.

Stage 1. Gathering information

Work on the creation of a web-based logistics system begins with the collection of data, since only full immersion in the client’s business allows you to achieve the best results. At this stage, developers study the requirements of the client, his vision and experience in using similar solutions.

Stage 2. Design and development of documentation

Based on the received data, a system prototype is created. As a rule, it should include:

• interface page mockups;
• navigation system;
• detailed description of the functionality.
• development plan.

The finished prototype is presented to the customer, discussed and, if necessary, promptly finalized.

Stage 3. Design development

A web-based logistics system should look good on a desktop monitor, tablets and smartphones with different screen resolutions. Therefore, at the design stage, specialists are faced with the task of creating a logical and convenient visual environment for all types of devices.

Most often, the design of such systems is developed individually, taking into account the functional features and objectives of each individual project.

Stage 4. Programming

The technical development of the project can be divided into two parts:

• Frontend. This is the user side of the application that makes the project work on the client side. To create it, static HTML / CSS / JavaScript technologies or reactive technologies – Vue.js / React.js can be used. Reactive frameworks are generally preferred because they are able to process some of the data before it is sent to the server, which has a positive effect on system performance.
• Backend. The backend is the server part of the application, which is responsible for storing and processing information. It can be created using Python/PHP programming languages, Django/Flask/Yii2/Laravel frameworks or Node.js platform and JavaScript language.

Stage 5. Testing

The development of logistics management systems is a rather complex and lengthy process, which is almost never without errors. For timely detection and elimination of defects, the project is carefully tested by QA engineers at all stages of production.

Stage 6. Technical support and development

After deployment, the system is connected to technical support, which allows you to quickly and efficiently resolve any problems associated with its operation.

This is especially important in the first weeks after the release, when users may encounter various hidden bugs that were not revealed during the development and testing stages.

After you start using the logistics system in real conditions, you can continue to develop it at any time – develop new functionality, remove or improve the existing one, and even make adjustments to the design. For such purposes, developers release patches with updates that can be installed in an already working product.

By investing in the creation of your own management system, you can optimize the logistics infrastructure of your business, reduce associated costs and improve the quality of customer service. This will create optimal conditions for the further development of the company and increase its competitiveness in the market.

When creating logistics web systems, we, at AVADA MEDIA, focus on the features and priorities of our clients’ business, and also use all the many years of experience of our specialists to find the best technical solutions. To learn more about our expertise and approach to work, fill out the feedback form below.