Courier Network and Communication SaaS Tool
This B2B SaaS platform streamlines communication for freight companies. It helps users discover partners and agents, exchange documents and feedback, post rates, chat, and more. It’s a professional network for couriers and logistics teams, connecting service providers and clients while optimizing operational workflows.
Technology stack:
- Backend: Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, WebSockets, VertX, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, Redis, Microservices, AWS, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker
- Frontend: ReactJS, React Native, React Hooks, Microfrontends
- QA & Testing: Thucydides, Selenium, WebDriver, Serenity, JUnit, Cypress, Jest, Enzyme
- Infrastructure & DevOps: AWS, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker
The story
This project grew out of one of our earlier initiatives. Our clients, seasoned experts in the transportation industry, identified a major gap: courier service providers and their customers lacked an efficient communication tool. Professionals were losing too much time on fragmented and ineffective interactions.
The team
With years of hands-on logistics experience, we knew how to design this platform efficiently. We started with a core team of four experts: a business analyst, two senior lead developers, and a back-end architect. In just five months, the team grew to 13, becoming fully cross-functional and self-sufficient.
Becoming a SaaS
We initially built this tool as part of another customer’s logistics SaaS system, designing and testing core features with real users from an early adopter group. After refining the solution and receiving positive feedback, we transformed it into a standalone SaaS platform with a subscription model, creating a new business opportunity for our client.
Long-lasting support
Supporting this logistics SaaS over the long term required navigating multiple transformations and pivots. We spent 6–8 months stabilizing the platform, finding the right market fit, and refining the monetization model. During this phase, our technical team adapted dynamically to stay cost-effective while maintaining the development pace aligned with business needs.
Streamline courier communication
We built a custom online instant messenger from scratch to ensure speed, reliability, and full data privacy.
Key features include:
- NoSQL storage to handle massive message volumes and react instantly to new messages.
- Reactive, low-latency UX powered by VertX, React Hooks, and WebSockets, updating in real time whenever events occur.
Freight rates
Rates represent delivery prices posted by platform users, visible only to their connected agents.
- Flexible configuration: Users can set up their own rates and adjust them as needed.
- Agent-specific visibility: Users can search and compare rates posted by their agents, ensuring relevant and secure access.
- Enhanced decision-making: This system helps users quickly find the best pricing options for efficient logistics planning.
Proof of delivery (POD)
PODs are essential documents in any courier workflow, often causing unnecessary hassle.
Users enter information through a streamlined form, upload any additional files, and the system generates a POD that is automatically sent to the relevant agent via the chat.
- Secure storage: PODs are safely stored on the server and can be accessed as proof when needed.
- Comprehensive history: Users can view all PODs in a sortable table with full search functionality, making tracking and audits simple.
Feedback & Reviews
After each delivery, customers can rate and provide feedback for the delivery provider.
We built a back-end and user interface that lets users leave ratings, comments, and attach supporting documents securely.
- Detailed context: Each feedback can include relevant details and uploaded files stored safely.
- Easy search: A search function allows users to quickly locate specific comments or discussion threads.
- Bidirectional visibility: Service providers can view all feedback left for them, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.
Agent API & integration
The Agent API serves as the primary integration point between the platform and external transportation systems.
Every courier company staff member, driver, or customer is treated as an Agent in the system.
- Full control: The API allows retrieving, adding, or removing agents, managing contacts, and updating statuses.
- Secure connection: Built as a REST API, it safely connects this communication SaaS with external platforms, ensuring data integrity and controlled access.
A mobile version
We developed the mobile application with React Native for both Android and iOS. It mirrors all communication features from the web platform, making them accessible anywhere for faster, more convenient interaction.
Core features: Instant messaging remains the central functionality, streamlining communication between agents. The mobile app complements the SaaS platform, extending its capabilities on the go.
Customer feedback
As the owner of the SaaS product, I was the CEO and development manager in the UK for a long time; I had local development. It was expensive, but I thought it was worth it. I have never believed in the effectiveness of outsourcing or offshore teams.
However, one of my employees persuaded me to try, and we relied on Ardas for all the development that we had in addition to testing and managing the team. After a couple of years of such work, when we were convinced that it worked great, we began to transfer to Ardas all the IT that we had, and in the end, the entire development cycle was in their hands.
Not once in all these years have I regretted it. Offshore development can be effective if the company knows how to work in a large project, has no communication problems, understands how the SaaS business works, and can engage in dialogue. Ardas has it all!
Today, the development of our product is managed by the CTO, CEO, product owners, and others, but they all work well with Ardas. I must say that Ardas has outlived many local employees who have already left for various reasons. Ardas is our most dedicated and long-term employee, and as an owner, I like that they solve all staffing issues themselves, and I don't have to deal with them.
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