Digital Workspace for Managing Global Freight Logistics
Logistics SaaS Platform
Our client is a small, almost family-run company that handles freight shipping worldwide.
In just 6 months, we digitized all their paper-based processes without disrupting their workflow. Now, they handle 20% more orders and manage their business transparently with a custom ERP.
Problem
The cost of each shipment depends on multiple factors: route, transport type, carrier rates, currency exchange, tax rates, and more. A logistics manager’s job is to quickly calculate pricing options and offer the client the best deal, then issue an invoice and book a carrier.
Managers print and store all key order details in folders on their desks.
To run calculations, they manually copy data from folders into Excel or QuickBooks. This makes remote work or handing off orders to colleagues a hassle—managers have to carry folders everywhere.
Solution
Digitize core business processes, starting with the essentials
Design a custom ERP with a roadmap for multiple releases
Launch an MVP with key features
Iterate based on feedback from the client’s managers
Audit and Process Digitization
2 months
We conducted interviews with logistics managers to understand how freight operations work:
- Who’s involved and how
- What data and external systems they use
- What actions they take and what events follow
- What conditions trigger actions or events
This gave us a clear map of the company’s business processes from a development perspective.
MVP of the First ERP Version
3.5 months
We digitized the “shipment order”—what the client’s managers call their order card:
Customer 1
11CC-2222
China
Germany
Transportation company
IS# INV-0002098-DE
Checking
Insurance
Checking
Insurance
Expensive
Created: 12/06/2024
Comment: Provide additional documents at customs
Preview of a Shipment Order Card
Filling Out the Card
Full Version of the Shipment Order Card
As data is added, the application transforms into a full shipment order. The card gathers details about the client, cargo specifics, documents, insurance, invoices, and more.
Now, all order data is entered and securely stored in the ERP. We also sketched out the first version of a dashboard to display all current order details.
Invoice Builder and Analytics Reports
2.5 months
We automated invoice generation based on shipment order data, factoring in all transport parameters.
Built an analytics dashboard showing:
- Status of all shipments
- Financial data for shipments overall and per client
Search for one or more agents to handle the shipment
Confirm shipment with the agent
Collect waybills and detailed cargo parameters
Collect waybills and detailed cargo parameters
Review the final PDF invoice before sending it to the clien
Ongoing Technical Support
2.5 months
We monitor the system to catch issues before the client does.
- Critical bugs: Fixed in minutes to a few hours
- Minor updates: ~1 week
- Major updates: ~1 month
All core processes are automated and streamlined for ease of use.
In progress
Cargo Insurance Policy Generation
We’re integrating with an insurance provider to issue policies for cargo with a single click from the ERP.
Backlog
Integrations and Client Portal
- Integration with customs systems to issue shipping documents directly from the ERP
- Integration with cargo tracking systems to show real-time shipment movement and location
- Build a client portal or app for customers ordering shipments
Why It Worked
Listened to Logistics Managers
Conducted interviews with the people handling orders, not just top management. The result? A tool that’s easy to use, not one users have to adapt to.
Transparent Process Mapping
Showed how business process descriptions turn into dev and design tasks. No “black box” where code gets written without context.
Iterative Approach
We weren’t afraid to overhaul parts of the project when justified. For example, post-MVP feedback helped managers clarify how some features should work, backed by detailed screen recordings.
Async Communication
Beyond weekly meetings, we exchanged videos throughout the week to keep managers focused on their core work.
Client Trust
Thanks to the client’s team for their trust. Open, equal discussions on problems and solutions ensured every stage hit the mark.
Team
FANS
Fedor Borshev,
Samat Galimov
Technical Directors
Andrey Taran
Project Manager
Anastasia Sharkova
Project Manager
Vyacheslav Nabatchikov
Tech Lead and Backend Developer
Nikolay Kiryanov
Backend Developer
Vladimir Taranovsky
Frontend Developer
Ivan Sedov
Frontend Developer
Motka Design
Phil Smirnov
Art Director
Maria Ekimova
UI Designer
Natalia Bulanova
UX Designer
Elizaveta Plakhotnaya
UX Architect
Technologies
Design and Management
Basecamp
FigJam
Figma
Development
Python
VueJS
Vercel
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