GoPlan

How to implement a completely new system from scratch under intense time pressure? Read the case study and find out how we achieved this during the execution of a software project for airports commissioned by Assured Technologies.

Introduction

Assured Technologies approached us with a project to develop an application for managing vehicles in airport parking lots. As the contract with the previous system provider for a British airport was about to expire, the airport management decided to replace the old solution with a new one.

The airport had been using a vehicle management application for years, but the previous provider, ParkIT, had not made essential changes that would allow for automation and integration with tools to improve customer service. Therefore, the airport authorities wanted to replace the old solution with a more modern one better suited to the needs and expectations of their staff. The end of the license agreement was the perfect opportunity to do so.

Since our client, Assured Technologies, had completed several other solutions, the airport quickly selected them as the contractor for the new system. However, feeling the time pressure, they realized that they wouldn’t be able to complete the project on time using only their resources. Consequently, due to our prior collaboration, they immediately asked us for help.

Project progress

Since the client approached us in December and the solution had to be live by early March, we didn’t have much time—especially since the client only had a preliminary vision of the solution that needed refinement. We started with analytical preparation to design a solution that met the set requirements. Then we designed the application architecture and prepared a project plan for the next two months.

Thus, we designed and implemented the Go Plan system. It was intended to complement the Go Trak system, another system used at the airport for reporting purposes. Go Plan was equipped with the following modules and functionalities:

• Management of vehicle pick-up and care while parked until it is handed over to the customer after the parking period.
• Parking administration module: dividing the space into locations, zones, and lines made it easier for airport staff to park in appropriate places and efficiently issue cars.
• Calendar management with planning and gathering key information about available parking spaces and dates for leaving and picking up cars, considering the flight schedule.
• Management of vehicle movements in the parking lot, allowing monitoring of which employee moved a given car, where it is located, and where it was previously.
• Automatic allocation of cars in the parking lot based on departure order according to predefined dynamic criteria.
• User and task management on the platform.
• Report generation module.

One of the most interesting functionalities we implemented in the new system was automating manual tasks through the installation of a QR code scanner. Previously, employees had to manually mark what was happening with the keys and cars at various stages. For example, they had to manually mark placing the key in the box, parking the car in a specific row, or transferring the vehicle to the pick-up zone. In the current process, QR codes are placed at each stage, which employees only need to scan, and the appropriate information automatically appears in the system. This enabled parking lot management without spending time in front of a monitor, using only a mobile or web application to scan QR codes at the appropriate stations. Thus, the system became intuitive and significantly optimized work time.

To further improve system operation, we also conducted several integrations with external tools allowing, among other things:

• Importing reservation data from an FTP server
• Scanning codes and printing labels

We also integrated the solution with other systems and devices used by the client, including older ones, ensuring smooth communication and flawless operation.

Technologies

The project was implemented using .NET, MSSQL, and Vue.js technologies. This tech stack is used by Assured Technologies, making it easy for us to get into the project and collaborate with the client’s team. The project involved two back-end developers, two front-end developers, a full-stack developer, a tester, an analyst, and a DevOps specialist.

We worked in two-week sprints, closely cooperating with the client’s Product Owner throughout. Thanks to their constant availability, high engagement, and openness to suggestions and ideas, the collaboration went smoothly, allowing us to efficiently execute the subsequent stages.

Results

From January to the end of March, we worked on the project for approximately 2000 hours. Working under such immense time pressure was definitely the biggest challenge. Delivering even a prototype application in such a short time frame is challenging—here, it was an application for a major institution that couldn’t afford a reputational crisis or financial losses due to parking dysfunctions. Despite the expectations weighing on us, we managed to deliver the project on time and implement all key functionalities.

This success would not have been possible without our team’s prior preparation and experience. The fact that our developers started the project immediately was thanks to previously prepared devices and implemented DevOps environment and infrastructure. This allowed us to efficiently enter the project and complete it without technical or organizational problems.

The airport is now using Go Plan and seeing the first benefits. The new solution helped organize and optimize parking lot operations. By precisely tailoring the tool to the staff’s needs, the facility achieved the desired effect. Moreover, the Go Plan graphical interface we prepared was so well-received by the client that they decided to create a new design for the Go Trak system based on it.

We also see potential for further system automation and the use of intelligent algorithms. We are working on additional improvements, such as key dispensers for self-check-in and check-out. Additionally, the system is prepared to be implemented at other airports in the future. We remain open to further developing the project or implementing other systems for Assured Technologies.