CRM and ERP System for Logistics Company

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Technologies:

JavaScript / TypeScript (9)
Redis (9)
PostgreSQL (27)
Auto Testing (25)
Django (23)
Linux (23)
Vue.js / Nuxt.js (12)

Domains:

Billing and Payments (1)
Business Solutions (12)
Customer and Sales (10)
Fleet Management (4)
Logistics (2)

Project Goals

The goal of this project was to develop an integrated information system with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) functionalities to support the business processes of a logistics company. The system aimed to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer service, and streamline the management of various business activities, including logistics, payments, and customer interactions. SEO optimization for Google and other search engines was also a key priority to ensure the company's services were easily discoverable online.

Functional Features

Order Management Module

  • Order Creation: Users can create and manage orders, specifying delivery options such as standard delivery, delivery with prior purchase, or delivery with a user-defined price.
  • Status Tracking: The system tracks the status of orders from procurement to delivery, allowing users to monitor the movement of goods through warehouses, customs, and delivery services.
  • Package Management: Enables the formation and management of packages, including tracking their journey across different checkpoints.

Customer Management Module

  • Client Profiles: Maintains detailed profiles for each customer, including multiple delivery addresses, order history, and payment history.
  • Order History: Allows users to view the history of all orders placed and payments made, providing transparency and easy access to transaction records.
  • Account Balances: Manages client accounts, allowing customers to check their current balance and review transactions.

Payment Module

  • Client Accounts: Provides individual accounts for customers, supporting multiple methods for adding funds, such as payment gateways and manual top-ups.
  • Automatic Deductions: Supports automated deductions for paid services via an administrative interface, which includes checks for sufficient balance before proceeding with any transaction.

Delivery Integration Module

  • API Integration: The system integrates with APIs from various delivery services, allowing real-time tracking of shipments.
  • Communication Services: Integrates with email services and SMS gateways to keep customers updated on the status of their orders.

Documentation Generation Module

  • Document Creation: Automatically generates documents required for delivery services, including item descriptions, customs paperwork, and reports for regulatory bodies.
  • Custom Forms: Supports customized forms for different logistics needs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and local regulations.

Review Module

  • User Feedback: Customers have the option to leave reviews regarding the quality of the service provided, offering feedback that can be used to improve future operations.

Solution Concept

Technical Approach

The solution was built using a modern, scalable architecture that integrates CRM and ERP functionalities tailored specifically to the logistics industry. The focus was on reliability, efficiency, and maintaining the flexibility needed to adapt to the company's evolving needs.

  • Backend Development: Python and Django were chosen as the core backend technologies for their robustness, scalability, and extensive community support. The Django REST framework enabled the development of a well-structured and easily maintainable API layer.
  • Frontend Development: The frontend was developed using TypeScript with Vue.js and Nuxt.js to create a responsive, user-friendly interface for both internal and customer-facing users.
  • Data Management: PostgreSQL served as the primary database, chosen for its reliability, ACID compliance, and scalability.
  • Caching and Performance: Redis was used for caching to optimize data retrieval times and improve overall system performance.
  • Integration: The system included integration with third-party services such as delivery APIs for tracking, SMS gateways for communication, and payment gateways for client transactions.

Modular Design

The application was designed using a modular approach to facilitate future development and integration. Each module, such as order management, payment processing, and delivery tracking, could be updated independently, allowing for efficient maintenance and scalability.

SEO Optimization

One of the unique aspects of this project was the emphasis on SEO optimization. The product was designed with best practices for SEO in mind, such as optimizing page load speed, implementing server-side rendering (SSR) via Nuxt.js, and ensuring that key web pages were easily crawlable by search engines like Google. SEO texts were also generated for the various service categories offered by the logistics company.

Results

  • Enhanced Operational Efficiency: The integration of CRM and ERP capabilities within a single platform significantly improved the efficiency of handling orders, payments, and customer inquiries. It streamlined operations and reduced the workload on the customer service team.
  • Improved User Experience: By integrating customer profiles, order history, and payment details into a unified system, customers could easily manage their interactions with the logistics company, leading to increased satisfaction.
  • SEO Benefits: The product's SEO-optimized design improved the company's visibility in search engine results, leading to increased customer engagement and conversion rates.
  • Scalable Solution: The modular design allowed the company to scale their operations easily, adding new services or expanding into new regions without major system overhauls.
  • Reduced Downtime During Transition: The project involved transitioning from previous developers while ensuring there was no downtime. The careful planning and execution of this transition were successful, resulting in uninterrupted service for the company's customers.

User Use Cases

  • Order Placement: A user wants to place an order for the delivery of a purchased item. The user creates an order, tracks the procurement status, and monitors the shipment until delivery.
  • Subscription Management: Customers can manage their subscriptions, add new addresses, and track their delivery status, all from their client profile.
  • Payment and Balance Inquiry: Users can top up their accounts and check their balance to ensure sufficient funds are available for services like expedited delivery.
  • Logistics Staff Management: Logistics team members can use the order management module to track shipments, coordinate with customs, and generate the required documentation for successful deliveries.

Security and Risk Management

  • Data Security: All sensitive customer data is encrypted, and role-based access controls were implemented to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to critical information.
  • Protection Against DDoS Attacks: The production environment was secured through Cloudflare, which not only provided a content delivery network (CDN) but also protected the system from DDoS attacks.
  • Regular Security Audits: External specialists were brought in to conduct security audits, ensuring that the system met the highest standards of information security.

Development Process

The project followed Agile methodologies, with iterative releases allowing for frequent feedback from stakeholders. This approach ensured that the final product met all business needs and customer expectations.

  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): A CI/CD pipeline was set up to automate testing and deployment, minimizing errors and ensuring rapid iteration and release cycles.
  • User Testing and Feedback: Beta versions of the CRM and ERP system were tested by a select group of internal users and customers. Their feedback was instrumental in fine-tuning the user interface and enhancing the system's capabilities.

Benefits for the Client

  • Centralized Operations: By integrating CRM and ERP functionalities, the logistics company was able to centralize all its core operations into a single platform, reducing complexity and the risk of data fragmentation.
  • Improved Customer Satisfaction: The system's ease of use and transparent order tracking led to higher customer satisfaction and increased customer loyalty.
  • Optimized Business Processes: Automation of key tasks, such as payment deductions and delivery tracking, led to time savings for employees, allowing them to focus on more value-added activities.
  • Reduced Downtime: The seamless transition from the previous developers ensured that business processes were not disrupted, maintaining customer trust.