OVERVIEW
Bee Logistics and Freight, a major player in the South African logistics market, was constrained by a patchwork of outdated legacy systems. OBLIQ was engaged to architect and develop a comprehensive, custom Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to unify their operations, drive efficiency, and provide a foundation for future growth. The project involved a complete digital transformation of their core business processes, centered on the powerful Sage X3 platform.
Involvement
- Enterprise Platform Implementation & Integration
- Bespoke Platform Enhancements & Customization
- Business Intelligence & Dashboards
- Native & Cross-Platform Mobile Application Development
Challenges
The client’s existing technology stack was a significant barrier to growth and efficiency.
- Modular & Scalable ERP Architecture: We designed and built a full-fledged, custom ERP centered on Sage X3, with distinct but interconnected modules for Order Management, Warehouse Management, and Financial Reconciliation.
- End-to-End Business Process Automation: We engineered a centralized system to manage the entire logistics lifecycle, automating everything from order validation and dispatch to invoicing and financial reporting.
- Driver Mobile App & GPS Integration: We developed a cross-platform driver-facing mobile app for real-time status updates and digital proof-of-delivery, which was seamlessly integrated with their existing fleet GPS hardware.
- Advanced Operational Analytics: We built a powerful analytics module with real-time dashboards, providing management with a 360-degree view of their operations.
The OBLIQ Solution
OBLIQ delivered an end-to-end ERP system that became the digital backbone of the client’s entire operation.
- Cross-Platform Mobile App: To ensure a consistent user experience and development efficiency, we built a high-performance application for both iOS and Android from a single codebase using Flutter.
- Engaging Gamification Engine: To drive adoption and sustained interaction, we implemented a suite of quizzes and knowledge-based tournaments, allowing alumni to test their skills and engage in friendly competition.
- Rich Networking Profiles: We developed detailed user profiles and an integrated multi-user chat system, providing SGU with valuable career data while making it easy for alumni to connect.
- Powerful Admin & Analytics Backend: We created a robust Content Management System (CMS) that empowers SGU administrators to manage app content, moderate the community, and access detailed analytics on user engagement.
Our Approach
Replacing a company’s core operational system is a complex undertaking that requires meticulous planning and a deep understanding of the business. Our approach was designed to de-risk the project and ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to their daily operations.
Phased Implementation Strategy
We designed a modular architecture that allowed us to develop and deploy the new ERP in logical stages, starting with the most critical pain points. This approach minimized business disruption and allowed for user feedback to be incorporated at each phase.
Deep Workflow Analysis
Our engagement began with on-site workshops and a deep-dive analysis of their existing workflows. This allowed us to map out every process, identify key opportunities for automation, and design a system that solved their real-world challenges.
Overcoming Legacy Integration
A major challenge was integrating with and systematically replacing the client’s old AS/400 system. Our team developed a custom middleware solution to ensure data could flow between the old and new systems during the transition period, preventing operational downtime.
Collaborative Stakeholder Management
We worked in close partnership with their finance, operations, and IT teams throughout the project. This ensured complete buy-in, facilitated smooth user adoption, and guaranteed the final system was perfectly tailored to their unique business needs.
The Results
The custom ERP system delivered a transformative impact on the business.
- 15% Reduction in Delivery Times: Optimized routing and automated dispatch led to a significant improvement in delivery speed and fleet efficiency.
- Achieved 99.8% Order Accuracy: Automating the order-to-invoice process drastically reduced the manual errors that had previously been a major issue.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction by 25%: Providing clients with a self-service portal for real-time shipment tracking significantly enhanced the customer experience and reduced support inquiries.
