Enterprise Transport Management System (TMS)
Automating dispatch, optimizing routes, and providing real-time fleet visibility.
The Problem
The client, a rapidly growing regional logistics provider, was managing a fleet of over 200 vehicles using fragmented systems: spreadsheets for dispatch, WhatsApp for driver communication, and legacy desktop software for invoicing. This lack of integration led to severe operational bottlenecks, lost invoices, routing inefficiencies, and an inability to provide end-customers with accurate Delivery ETAs.
System Architecture
We designed a decoupled microservices architecture to handle the distinct needs of the dispatchers, drivers, and end-customers.
- Admin/Dispatch Portal: A high-performance Next.js web application providing a live map interface, drag-and-drop load assignment, and automated reporting.
- Driver Mobile App: A cross-platform Flutter application focused on low battery consumption, offline-first capabilities for poor network areas, and live GPS pinging.
- Backend Core: A highly concurrent Node.js API using Socket.io to stream real-time location data from the driver apps directly to the dispatch portal.
Interface & Dashboards
[Interactive Dashboard Screenshot Placeholder]
Live vehicle tracking overlay on Google Maps with active load status.
Technical Challenges Overcome
1. Real-Time High-Frequency Data
Handling simultaneous GPS pings from 200+ vehicles every 5 seconds overloaded standard HTTP requests. We implemented a persistent WebSocket (Socket.io) architecture with Redis pub/sub to distribute the load, reducing server CPU utilization by 70%.
2. Intermittent Driver Connectivity
Drivers frequently lost cellular service in rural areas. We engineered an offline-first queue in the Flutter app using SQLite. Proof-of-delivery signatures and queued GPS points securely sync to the backend once connectivity is restored.