Brief Overview
ThinkSmart is a remote, global hiring company offering advanced services designed to empower businesses with technology-driven solutions, from harnessing AI’s capabilities to elevate operations and inform data-driven decisions to crafting seamless user experiences through expert application engineering. Our cloud computing solutions facilitate efficient scalability while managed teams of dedicated developers and staff augmentation provide tailored expertise to foster business growth.
Priti Patil, a Delivery Manager at Thinksmart Technologies, initiated a noteworthy partnership with Crowley, a prominent USA-based company specializing in vessel management and supply chain logistics services. Crowley holds a distinguished position in the industry, recognized for its global services and impactful contributions.
Case Study: Crowley
Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned, and operated logistics, marine, and energy solutions company. It was founded in 1892, serving commercial and government customers, and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Services are provided worldwide by five primary business units. They are Crowley Logistics, Crowley (Government) Solutions, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Fuels, and Crowley Wind Service
Key Challenges
Crowley approached Thinksmart Technologies to tackle the following issues in the vessel management and supply chain logistics industry:
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Data Discrepancies:
Ensuring accurate and consistent data representation across various systems and portals. -
Integration Complexities:
Successfully integrating carrier and customer portals with external systems for seamless data flow. -
Performance Optimization:
Enhancing portal responsiveness and loading times to provide an efficient user experience. -
Mobile Compatibility:
Ensuring mobile-friendly interfaces for iOS and Android devices to cater to diverse user preferences. -
UI/UX Enhancement:
Balancing aesthetic appeal with intuitive design for a user-friendly and visually pleasing experience. -
Real-time Tracking:
Facilitating real-time tracking and tracing of shipments within the carrier portal for accurate visibility.
Seamless integration of portals in vessel management and supply chain logistics is pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency and user experience for businesses like Crowley. Integrated portals facilitate real-time data exchange, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information across different systems.
For Crowley, integrating carrier and customer portals optimizes order processing, shipment tracking, and stakeholder communication. ThinkSmart’s software expertise in portal integration empowered Crowley to achieve higher accuracy, transparency, and responsiveness.
Initial Engagement and Project Expansion
The collaboration commenced with a modest 100-man-day project spanning two months. ThinkSmart’s dedication to punctual deliveries, impeccable project execution, and consistently high-quality deliverables laid a solid foundation for customer contentment. This initial triumph prompted a gradual expansion of the project scope, underscoring ThinkSmart’s adeptness in managing and surpassing expectations effectively.
ThinkSmart’s Innovative Solutions
ThinkSmart’s technical prowess came to the forefront as they seamlessly integrated with Crowley’s systems, addressing existing issues and enhancing the portals’ functionality.
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Team Expansion for Enhanced Capacity:
The team's growth from 2 to 6 members showcased adeptness in managing increased complexity and adapting swiftly to evolving project demands. -
Effortless Integration with Dual TMS:
The successful integration of Crowley's portals with 3G TMS and Blue Yonder TMS marked a significant achievement. -
Flawless Execution Amid Complexity:
The project's execution within two months, despite its scale and intricacy, resulted in zero production downtime and minimal issues, demonstrating impeccable implementation capabilities.
This accomplishment garnered acclaim from Crowley’s upper management, confirming ThinkSmart’s technical capabilities and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions.
Technical Proficiency
Here are the critical technical efforts of Thinksmart Technologies:
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Agile Tech Stack:
Modern technologies amplify our agility, adapting to the industry's dynamic demands. -
Cloud Mastery:
Within the AWS cloud, scalability and resilience drive operations backed by automated CI/CD pipelines. -
Remote Efficiency:
Remote workstations amplify collaboration, uniting global expertise seamlessly. -
Unified Portals:
Efficiently merging portals under one URL simplifies navigation and access. -
Mobile Innovations:
Auto-location tracking, a live bidding app, and PWA implementation enhance mobile experiences. -
TMS Integration:
Integrating 3G TMS and Blue Yonder TMS streamlines operations flawlessly. -
Reusable Components:
Building reusable components elevates efficiency, ensuring consistent excellence.
The Journey: Transitioning from Vendor to Trusted Partner
The impressive outcomes from the initial project captured the attention of Crowley’s leadership. Impressed by ThinkSmart’s performance, a strategic decision was made to replace their existing support vendor—a substantial multinational enterprise—with Thinksmart Technologies. This pivotal shift marked a turning point in the collaboration. Thinksmart Technologies Technologies assumed responsibility for Crowley’s pivotal customer and carrier portals, integral to the Defense Freight Transportation Services (DFTS) contract.
“ThinkSmart’s diverse portfolio of projects, executed with the Agile Scrum methodology, showcases their commitment to excellence. From UI/UX transformations to intricate integrations, their unified approach delivers exceptional results.” – Anonymous, Crowley.
With the trustful collaboration set in stone, Thinksmart Technologies embarked on a variety of projects, including:
- Fixed cost development
- Production support
- Product development
- Performance testing using JMeter
- UI/UX revamp and rebranding
- TMS integration
Global Collaboration
A standout feature of the collaboration was the successful cooperation among teams in varying time zones and geographical locations. It showcased ThinkSmart’s adeptness in remote work and international collaboration. The project teams encompassed individuals from India and the USA, further highlighting the ability to surmount geographical barriers for seamless communication.
Takeaway
Crowley’s satisfaction index with ThinkSmart’s services stands at an impressive 97%, highlighting the partnership’s ability to consistently meet and exceed client expectations.
The case study of ThinkSmart’s partnership with Crowley underscores a journey marked by consistent success, evolving from modest beginnings into a trusted partner entrusted with critical systems. The partnership is a testament to ThinkSmart’s capacity to deliver exceptional results, uphold the highest quality standards, and efficiently manage multifaceted projects. Through effective collaboration, technical acumen, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Thinksmart Technologies has firmly established itself as a valuable asset contributing to Crowley’s ongoing triumphs in vessel management and supply chain logistics.
