Renting construction equipment (lifts, excavators, cranes) is a popular solution in the construction industries of the UK, Ireland, and Germany. Our client oversees this process, offering equipment rentals across three markets. The task was to create a user-friendly and efficient website tailored to two main user groups: the back-office staff and field employees, each with specific access rights. For instance, the back-office team needed visibility into all projects to allocate equipment promptly, while field employees required access solely to their assigned projects. The development process for King & Moffatt's website began with a thorough analysis of the challenges.
Challenges
The client’s existing ERP system lacked a user-friendly interface for mobile devices, compounded by slow connectivity.
Field staff (site supervisors and on-site managers) struggled with order management outside the office.
A custom website was needed to automate business processes online and enhance user experience.
Solution
We developed a responsive website to improve order management, streamline communication, and increase transparency.
Project Goals
Create a mobile-friendly interface for seamless order management.
Integrate with the ERP system 4PS via API.
Enhance data loading speed while optimizing resource usage (traffic and cloud storage).
Implement role-based access control by accounts and regions.
Introduce photo documentation functionality, integrating uploads with MS SharePoint.
How We Addressed the Challenges
Client Needs Analysis. Conducted a detailed review of the client’s workflows to identify critical pain points and staff requirements.
ERP Integration via API. Enabled bi-directional data exchange (orders, statuses, photos). Implemented API scheduling to reduce cloud database costs. For example, data syncing is paused during off-hours, and the ERP database enters standby mode. Cached data remains accessible in the web application without the ability to modify it.
API schedule was configured to optimize the cost of the cloud database. For example, after hours, the exchange stops, and the EPR database goes into sleep mode. Cached data remains available in the web application, but it cannot be modified.
Responsive Design. Developed a user-friendly mobile-first website with an intuitive design. The interface was optimized for low internet speeds, ensuring smooth operation even in remote areas.
Order Management Functionality. Added real-time order tracking, including equipment details, serial numbers, delivery/return dates, and status updates (e.g., delivered, returned, extended). Back-office users can modify order statuses directly from their dashboard.
6. Photo Uploads with Compression. This feature integrates functionality for uploading compressed images without quality loss. Photos are automatically sent to MS SharePoint, enabling condition tracking and serial number verification. Compression accelerates upload speed and reduces bandwidth usage.
7. Role-Based Access Control. Field employees view only their assigned projects, while back-office staff have full access to streamlined management.
8. Tutorial Video Page. We have added a video tutorial page that clearly explains how to navigate and use the site effectively.
Project Results
Reduced Order Processing Time. A user-friendly interface and faster data access significantly increased efficiency and reduced turnaround times.
Lower Cloud Storage Costs. API optimization and photo compression minimized storage expenses.
Improved Transparency. Both field employees and back-office teams have up-to-date order information, ensuring seamless communication and management.
Enhanced User Experience. The intuitive interface improved employee satisfaction and operational workflow.
Conclusions and Future Opportunities
Developing a website for a construction equipment rental company allowed our client to optimize order management processes, making them more efficient and transparent. Future enhancements include:
Implementation of advanced analytics tools.
Expansion of features for automated rental scheduling.
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