Boasts a fleet of 20 and 40-foot Dry Vans, High Cubes and Reefer containers. Their commitment to sustainability, coupled with a robust IT system, enables them to offer high-quality container shipping services globally.
In the fast-paced world of container shipping, a fleet of 20 and 40-foot Dry Vans, High Cubes, and Reefer Containers staying ahead of the curve is essential for success. Econship, a key player in the industry, recognized the need to modernize its operations to meet evolving market demands. Facing challenges with legacy systems, performance bottlenecks, and escalating operational costs, Econship turned to Hidden Brains for a transformative solution.
Econship offers a range of services, including a modern container fleet, carrier agreements, extensive network reach, tailored IT infrastructure, and convenient e-services. They prioritize sustainability with eco-friendly container options, and their dedicated 24x7 team ensures top-notch service.
Econship embarked on an innovative journey from 2009 to till date, introducing a ground-breaking ERP cargo shipping solution to the market. Initially, their administration ERP system was built on the Old .NET Framework 4.0 & Angular 8. Recognizing the need for a modernized approach, they sought the expertise of Hidden Brains to revamp their company website using .Net Core Framework & Angular.
Four distinct user types
Prior to working with Hidden Brains, Econship faced challenges in managing its extensive fleet of containers efficiently, which impacted cargo handling and delivery times.
Econship's existing IT system required modernization to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and adapt to industry changes.
The client needed a robust system to optimize slot and space utilization agreements with common carriers and shipping lines.
Improving customer engagement and offering e-services for scheduling, booking, payments, and tracking cargo were critical to staying competitive in the container shipping industry.
To maintain a high level of service, Econship needed a dedicated team available around the clock to address customer inquiries and manage operations effectively.
The customer struggled with security issues, mostly resulting from improperly restricted server access, which left their systems open to potential attacks.
Significant performance issues with the client's application were evident in the lengthy loading times. The Old.NET Framework made this problem worse by affecting user experience and effectiveness.
The client experienced rising expenses related to server and database usage. These escalating operational costs necessitated the exploration of cost-effective solutions to maintain financial viability.
Implementing a Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline was impeded by the need for extensive code reconfiguration within the client's project management tool. This obstacle hindered the agile development and deployment of software, impacting overall project efficiency.
The primary business goal of this project was to revitalize Econship's platform to:
Conducted a thorough assessment of Econship's existing IT infrastructure, including applications, databases, and server environments, to identify pain points, challenges, and areas for improvement.
Developed tailored solutions to address Econship's unique challenges, considering factors such as legacy systems, inefficient processes, security vulnerabilities, and performance bottlenecks.
Leveraged modern technologies such as .NET Core Framework and Angular to revamp Econship's website, ensuring scalability, performance, and compatibility with industry standards.
Adopted a collaborative approach by assembling a dedicated team of skilled professionals to work closely with Econship throughout the project, fostering open communication, transparency, and alignment with client goals.
Implemented an agile development methodology to ensure flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness to evolving requirements, enabling iterative improvements and quick response to feedback.
Prioritized enhancing customer experience by developing a user-friendly customer engagement portal with e-services for scheduling, booking, payments, and cargo tracking, catering to the needs and preferences of Econship's customers.
Provided continuous support and assistance to Econship's team, including training, knowledge sharing, and ongoing maintenance, to ensure smooth transition, adoption, and operation of the modernized platform.
Strengthened security measures and ensured compliance with industry standards and regulations to mitigate risks, protect sensitive data, and enhance the overall integrity and reliability of Econship's IT environment.
Explored cost-effective solutions and strategies to optimize operational costs related to server and database usage, enabling Econship to achieve financial sustainability and maximize ROI.
Emphasized continuous improvement and innovation by monitoring performance metrics, gathering feedback, and implementing enhancements and optimizations to further enhance Econship's platform and capabilities.
The primary business goal of this project was to revitalize Econship's platform to:
Hidden Brains employed a dedicated team of skilled professionals who worked collaboratively with the client throughout the project. This team was specifically assembled to address the client's unique needs and requirements.
The Hidden Brains team conducted a thorough examination of the client's ERP application and database servers. This involved scrutinizing the existing setup to identify areas that required improvement. Recommendations were provided to enhance overall system performance, security, and reliability.
A meticulous code review was undertaken to assess the client's existing .NET framework-based application. This process involved analyzing the codebase, identifying outdated components, and creating a transition plan to migrate from the older .NET framework to the modern .NET Core. This modernization effort aimed to leverage the latest technology for improved performance and scalability.
Hidden Brains offered coding perspective training to Six to seven members of the client's team. This training equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively work on coding tasks and support ongoing development efforts.
Hidden Brains developed utility tools tailored for both MAC and Windows environments. These tools were designed to streamline various operational aspects, enhancing efficiency and simplifying tasks for the client's team.
The client faced challenges with their primary and secondary database backup servers. Hidden Brains provided effective solutions to address these issues. Additionally, Hidden Brains was retained for a period of 3-4 months to offer dedicated Database Administration (DBA) services, ensuring the stability and optimal performance of the database infrastructure.
The client's repository, previously managed using Tortoise SVN, was migrated to GitLab. This transition included the implementation of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes. It facilitated efficient version control, collaboration, and automated software deployment.
Hidden Brains conducted comprehensive training sessions related to databases and .NET Core. This knowledge sharing initiative ensured that the client's team was well-equipped to manage and maintain the newly modernized system.
Prioritizing a deep understanding of the client's industry, challenges, and goals is paramount. This ensures that solutions are not just technically sound but also aligned with the client's business objectives and market needs.
Ensuring that proposed solutions directly address the client's pain points and add tangible value to their business is crucial. Aligning the value proposition of the modernization efforts with the client's strategic priorities enhances buy-in and long-term satisfaction.
Conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis helps in evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of proposed solutions. This enables informed decision-making and ensures that investments in modernization efforts yield significant benefits in terms of efficiency gains, cost savings, and revenue growth.
Recognizing the importance of business continuity and resilience, especially during the transition phase of modernization projects, is essential. Developing robust contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies minimizes disruptions to operations and ensures uninterrupted service delivery.
Focusing on enhancing the customer experience through improved service offerings, streamlined processes, and intuitive user interfaces drives customer satisfaction and loyalty. Investing in customer-centric solutions strengthens competitive advantage and fosters long-term relationships.
Embracing agility and adaptability in response to evolving market dynamics, regulatory changes, and technological advancements is key. Flexibility in project planning and execution enables timely adjustments to meet changing requirements and seize emerging opportunities.
Building strong collaborative partnerships with vendors and service providers fosters innovation, knowledge sharing, and mutual growth. Leveraging the expertise and resources of external partners enhances project outcomes and accelerates time-to-market.
Harnessing data analytics and insights to inform decision-making processes enhances strategic planning and resource allocation. Leveraging data to monitor project performance, track key metrics, and identify optimization opportunities drives continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
Recognizing and addressing organizational change management challenges is critical for successful modernization initiatives. Proactively managing stakeholder expectations, addressing resistance to change, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning facilitate smooth transitions and adoption of new technologies.
Establishing clear success criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs) enables objective evaluation of project outcomes and impact. Regularly tracking and measuring progress against predefined metrics allows for course corrections and ensures that project goals are achieved effectively.
Leveraging the modernized platform and enhanced capabilities to expand into new markets, routes, and service offerings. Exploring opportunities for strategic partnerships and alliances to further strengthen market presence and competitiveness.
Continuing to invest in innovation and technological advancements to differentiate Econship's offerings and stay ahead of competitors. Exploring emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) to drive operational efficiency and customer value.
Deepening the focus on customer satisfaction and experience by further refining and customizing service offerings based on customer feedback and preferences. Investing in customer relationship management (CRM) systems and analytics to better understand and anticipate customer needs.
Strengthening Econship's commitment to sustainability by investing in eco-friendly container options, reducing carbon emissions, and implementing green practices across operations. Aligning with global sustainability standards and regulations to enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) and brand reputation.
Continuously optimizing operational processes and workflows to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service quality. Implementing lean principles and best practices to streamline operations and drive continuous improvement across the organization.
Investing in talent development and upskilling initiatives to empower employees with the skills and knowledge required to excel in a rapidly evolving industry. Providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to foster a culture of learning and innovation.
Embracing digital transformation initiatives to further digitize and automate manual processes, enhance data analytics capabilities, and improve decision-making agility. Leveraging data-driven insights to drive business growth, innovation, and operational efficiency.
Strengthening risk management practices and resilience to mitigate potential risks and uncertainties. Proactively identifying and addressing cybersecurity threats, regulatory compliance challenges, and geopolitical risks to safeguard business continuity and reputation.
Enhancing digital customer engagement platforms and omnichannel experiences to provide seamless interactions across multiple touchpoints. Investing in mobile applications, self-service portals, and AI-driven chatbots to improve accessibility and responsiveness.
Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by encouraging feedback, experimentation, and collaboration across teams. Establishing mechanisms for regular performance evaluation, benchmarking, and goal setting to drive ongoing success and growth.
Through a multi-faceted approach, Hidden Brains successfully facilitated Econship's transition from an
outdated ERP system to a modern, efficient Angular 8-based platform. This transformation addressed
performance issues, improved security, optimized costs, and streamlined development processes, ensuring
that Econship's ERP cargo shipping solution was well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the market
from 2009 to till date.
Migrated components without major issues
Successful API integrations developed
Server infrastructure migrated to cloud
Successful failover events
Time taken to deploy software updates: reduction in deployment time
Improvement in operational metrics
+1 323-908-3492
+44 (0)20-7993-2188
+34 93-802-3010
+91-989-802-1433
+61 2 6145 2066
+234 915-242-4242
+971 50 541 7174