Challenges
Curri is an all-in-one logistics platform helping distributors move supplies fast, reliably, and professionally.
The Curri founder has decided to digitize the process of internal cooperation between drivers and managers. For a long time, all the routes for the drivers were managed "on paper" by the managers. It takes lots of time and effort from both sides.
Existing solutions did not suit the owner, as he already had an established workflow and a vision for a custom application.
The last but essential challenge was that Curri was looking for a quick and affordable solution they could implement quickly without diverting significant resources to its creation and user onboarding.
Our goal was to create an internal enterprise app that would reflect the key existing workflows as much as possible but reduce all manual work to quick clicks in the application. The main users of the application will be Curri drivers on the one side and managers on the other.
Process
Discovery
In the process of research, we formulated Business and User Assumptions. We use this structure to make them simple and straightforward.
We love researching internal applications since the client is a business owner. He knows unique things about his company and knows how to share them.
Developing an internal application, we have the opportunity to communicate directly with end users (for example, drivers) at any time and present the process of using the application in detail. Such cooperation significantly improves the quality of all work - research, design, and development.
In the process of research, we formulated Business and User Assumptions. We use this structure to make them simple and straightforward.
Business Assumptions:
1. I believe my customers have a need to …
2. These needs can be solved with …
3. My initial customers are (or will be) …
4. The #1 value a customer wants to get out of my service is …
5. They can also get these additional benefits …
6. I will acquire the majority of my customers through …
7. I will make money by …
8. My primary competition in the market will be …
9. We will beat them due to …
10. My biggest product risk is …
11. We will solve this through …
12. We will know we are successful when we see the following changes in customer behavior …
13. What other assumptions do we have that, if proven false, will cause our project/business to fail …
User Assumptions:
1. Who is the user?
2. Where does our product fit in their work or life?
3. What problems does our product solve?
4. When and how is our product used?
5. What features are important?
6. How should our product look and behave?
The main result of our discovery was the Curri software requirements specification (SRS), a description of the software to be developed. It became a guideline for all members of the Sommo team working on the application.
Design
We created a super simple design for the Curri apps, trying to keep the elements, relationships, and even their arrangement as the business owner drew as much as possible.
Sommo designers used a black-and-white palette, simple fonts, and UI/UX elements to add crispness, graphics, and clarity.
No-code development
To develop such internal logistic software, we chose Bubble - a powerful, agile no-code tool that can build a limitless range of applications.
Bubble also spares you from the technicality of infrastructure provisioning, scaling, and backend management.
An important part was the backend development since the application works with complex databases - routes, calendars, and information about shipping, cargo, and vehicles.
Bubble's backend met our main criteria - stability, speed, and security.
Results
Thanks to clear SRS and no-code approach, we made the software in record time.
As planned, the software consistes of two parts:
1. Mobile App with Main actions and navigation items for Drivers,
2. Admin panel for a Warehouse Manager.
Mobile App for Drivers
After login, Curri drivers can view their routes, start a route through the click on the Start route button, view route start time, a map with stops, a list of stops, its description (map with a distance from my current location to the stop, address of the stop, take photos of the delivered order, arrival time, deliver-to name, contact phone number, address). The driver can complete a stop by clicking the Complete stop button.
On the Schedule screen, the drivers can view their calendar with three color marks near each day identifying its status:
Green - working day;
Yellow - sick leave;
Blue - holiday/day off.
The drivers request time off by clicking the Request time-off button, choosing a type of request (Sick leave of a day off), picking a date, and leaving a comment if needed.
The Vehicles screen shows the driver's vehicle list with a photo, name, license plate, and an “Assigned vehicle” mark for the default vehicle.The user can schedule downtime or maintenance, choose a vehicle through the list, and request downtime or maintenance.
The driver’s Profile contains a photo, full name, email, phone, SSN, and license.
The users can communicate in the app with Notifications (about time-off or vehicle downtime/maintenance).
Desktop Admin Panel for Managers
After signing up, the managers go to the Overview screen with a map and can choose a route to view its stops on the map and their schedule.
On the Plan screen, the users can manage the whole logistic process:
1. View the calendar and a map.
2. Create an order by choosing a day, selecting a driver (among those working - not on a day off or sick leave), and filling in PO / Order, ship-to name, address, contact number, arrival time, and departure time.
3. Import orders.
Managers can view the Drivers screen with a list of drivers and a timeline with statuses, add drivers, edit info about them, and search for a driver by the keywords.
Admins can view, add, and edit the Vehicles (with a photo, name, type, year, brand, model, number, and status) for a vehicle by the keywords and view a timeline status (green - active, grey - inactive).
The Schedule screen shows the calendar with drivers' and vehicle's timelines.
As an Admin, you can manage Requests - view a list of drivers and vehicle requests, and approve or decline them.
The admin's Profile contains a photo, full name, email, and phone.
Summary
We designed and developed the apps for Curri really fast. But as a measure of success, we have determined that Curri drivers and managers never come back to paper cooperation.
Challenge us with your idea for an internal business app!
