Inspeerity

A Multi-Regional, Flexible, and Scalable Payment System for EV Charging Terminals

Client: NDA Protected
Industry: Energy
Services: Agile Management, Custom Software, IT Consulting
Technologies: Docker, Kubernetes, NestJS, Opossum, Rabbit MQ, REST API, TypeScript
 

01. Designing an integrated payment system for multi-regional payment terminals
Our client, a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, needed an integrated payment system. It would need to integrate with diverse, multi-regional payment terminals for EV chargers.

This project aimed to ensure compliance with local payment regulations and preferences. While at the same time maintaining seamless operation and high reliability. The project involved integration over the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). It also required integration with various payment APIs.

02. Overcoming challenges of OCPP compliance and regional integration

The project presented several challenges:

• Ensured Compliance: Protocol Compliance ensures strict adherence to OCPP standards. This is crucial to enable communication between EV chargers and the central system.
• Dynamic Configuration: We put in place a solution that supports dynamic configuration. This allows for easy updates. As well as making changes to payment terminal settings without disrupting the service. This feature ensures flexibility and adaptability in managing settings.
• Seamless Integration: API Integration involves connecting multiple regional payment gateways. This supports a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, mobile payments, and local e-wallets. The aim is to give customers more choice across different regions.
• Reliable Isolation: In short, each payment gateway integration is run by dedicated microservices. This approach helps to isolate faults. And, allows each service to scale independently, boosting overall system resilience.
• Enhanced Resilience: saga, circuit breaker, and retry were used to boost system resilience. These techniques are designed to enhance system reliability and increase fault tolerance. This makes sure that operations continue as usual under various scenarios.

03. Integrating regional payment gateways via APIs for payment processing
Our solution delivered a robust, scalable, and reliable payment integration system for EV chargers. The key components of the project included:

• NestJS Framework: NestJS was chosen for its scalability. It also supports microservices architecture, which enables modular development. The framework helped us to deliver payment processing, user management, and OCPP communication.
• OCPP Integration: Full compliance with OCPP standards was achieved. This means there was seamless communication between EV chargers and the central system. The approach also supported dynamic configuration.
• API Integration: Multiple regional payment gateways were integrated through APIs. This ensured efficient routing of requests and effective handling of API calls and responses.
• Microservices Architecture: A microservices architecture was adopted, where each service handled specific functionalities. It helped to deliver payment processing, transaction logging, and user notifications. Docker containerization ensured consistency across environments, while Kubernetes managed the deployment and scaling.
• Advanced Patterns: Several advanced patterns were implemented to enhance system resilience and reliability. The saga pattern managed complex transactions. The circuit breaker pattern prevented cascading failures. The retry pattern addressed transient failures with exponential backoff.

04. The benefits of a multi-region system

• Localization: Tailored payment solutions met regional preferences and regulatory requirements. This improved user experience and ensured compliance.
• Flexibility: The system supported multiple payment methods and dynamic updates. This allowed quick adaptation to changing market demands and new payment technologies.
• Reliability: Advanced patterns were used to ensure high reliability and fault tolerance. This minimized service disruptions.
• Scalability: microservice architecture and Kubernetes allow services to scale independently, based on demand. This ensured high availability and resilience.

05. Delivering a flexible solution, our regional payment terminals were localized, reliable, and scalable
The implementation of regional payment terminals for EV chargers was a significant success. It delivered a localized, flexible, reliable, and scalable solution, meeting the project’s scope.

Achieving a €7.2M Funding Boost with a Rapid UI Redesign in 1.5 Months
Discover how we designed a user-friendly interface for UZE Mobility, merging AI with mobile advertising.

Client: UZE
Industry: Ecommerce
Services: Agile Management, Cloud, Custom Software, Dedicated Team, IT Consulting, UI/UX
Technologies: Akita, Angular, Angular Material, NestJS, RxJS

01. Customer

Customer background
UZE – a marketing technology start-up providing an AI-driven marketplace for mobile digital outdoor advertising.

Our task
To create a new UI that is both intuitive and easy to use for the customer’s clients.
 

02. Our success
We delivered the new UI within 1.5 months and under budget, in time for an investor presentation that allowed the customer to secure €7.2M in funding.

Customer needs
UZE provides a marketplace for mobile digital outdoor advertising. Their system is based on a complex AI that combines information involving geo-targeting, IOT, micro-targeting, and even traffic and weather, to allow their clients to get the best value out of their adverts. What UZE needed us to do, was to create an intuitive User Interface that would allow their clients (who are marketers, not programmers) to easily navigate all the available options, take advantage of what their AI had to offer, and monitor the results of their advertising campaigns.

03. The obstacles

The main problem naturally stemmed from UZE’s main advantage: their AI-driven software is complex and offers huge possibilities, but how to cram all this potential into a UI that a normal person will understand and find easy to use? It was also challenging but crucial for our team to understand UZE’s somewhat complicated business model, which is an innovative mix of a modern marketplace and traditional outdoor advertising.

An additional challenge with any start-up is the dynamic and ever-changing nature of their business – this required us to be agile and provide for future updates. We were also pressed for time, because of the upcoming investor meeting, and forced to labour under pandemic restrictions.

04. The Results

Improved Efficiency in Data Processing
A high performing microservices-based solution that effectively handles a large volume of data for real-life scanning and analysis. This resulted in significantly improved efficiency in data processing, allowing for faster and more accurate results.

Enhanced Usability for Key Functional Panels
Our team designed the solution with a specific focus on usability for the Administration Panel, Client Panel, and Expert Panel. This led to a seamless and intuitive user experience, making it easier for users to navigate and perform their respective tasks within the system.

Optimal Cloud Architecture for Scalability and Reliability
By providing consultancy on the best-fit cloud architecture, our team ensured that the solution was built on a foundation that allows for scalability and reliability. This means the client can efficiently handle increased workloads and maintain a high level of performance even as their data processing needs evolve over time.

05. How did we do it?

First of all, we dedicated a full-time team of front-end engineers, under the supervision of our Delivery Director, focusing entirely on the project. We also cooperated closely with the customer’s back-end developers. We drew on our experience in agile software development. We held biweekly evaluation sessions to redefine our priorities, as well as daily stand-ups to make sure everyone was always on the same page. Because of COVID restrictions, these meetings had to be held remotely, which was a challenge in and of itself that we are happy to have overcome successfully.

Efficient Technology Integration for Rapid Project Redesign
Since UZE had a working application that we had no intention of disturbing. And in view of the upcoming investor meeting, we decided to play it safe and use tested and proven technologies that would ensure correctness and stability. Therefore, we mainly used NestJS for the back-end layer and Angular 11, Akita, Rxjs, and Angular Material for the front-end layer. The first and the most important release of the project, which included UI and business flow redesign took us only 1,5 months, which was very important for our customer’s goals. Not to mention that we fit well under budget.

06. The outcome

We managed to create a modern-looking UI that is easy to understand and navigate for anyone, regardless of their technical skill. We built a dedicated unique design from the ground up, which allowed us to adjust to requirements more than any out-of-the-box theme would. We redesigned the main dashboard, allowing users to see all their campaigns and their progress in one place.

Digital transformation for Beckerbillett, one of Europe's largest Ticket distributors
Next time you buy a ticket to a zoo, cinema, or museum in Germany, you might have us to thank for it going smoothly.

Client: Beckerbillett
Industry: Event Ticketing
Services: Agile Management, Custom Software, Discovery Phase, IT Consulting, QA, Staff Augmentation, UI/UX
Technologies: .NET, .NET Core, .NET Framework, .NET MAUI, Blazor, C#, CSS, Event Sourcing, HTML, XAML

01. Beckerbillett is one of the largest ticket distributors in Europe

With decades of experience in the German ticketing market, they provide events & venues with complete ticketing solutions. The company offers everything from printed tickets, and access control hardware, to ticketing and visitor management software.

They were going through a digital transformation, with a small in-house team of developers. However, they faced a lot of pressure from growing customer expectations. When online sales skyrocketed during the pandemic, it put even more strain on the team and their systems. To solve this problem, our client reached out for external help and expertise. 

A complete digital journey that saw sales increase by 167%
Starting from 2021 we have worked with Beckerbillett to help drive their digital journey in three key phases. First, we migrated their legacy system to the cloud. This cut expensive on-site hosting costs and built a scalable foundation for growth. Next, we built a ticketing portal and API. This streamlined ticket management, expanded sales channels, and sped up client onboarding. Finally, we created a multiplatform solution using Blazor for custom access gates. This delivers real-time ticket validation and better user experiences on all devices.

Discover more about each step in this transformation.

02. A modular transformation that lowered costs and set the framework for growth

The first major challenge was to modernize Beckerbillett’s legacy system to meet rising demand and cut high operating costs. Beckerbillett’s current system was expensive to host as it used physical servers. The solution was to migrate to the cloud. The decision to initially redesign the system as a modular monolith was to get to market faster & lower overheads. 

However, this migration was the first step in a longer growth plan. The next was to design a solution that could easily scale to meet increasing demand. By shifting to scalable architecture, our team helped Beckerbillett to adapt to changing market needs. Where each part of the system could scale independently.  And, at the same time lower long-term costs further.

The result is a scalable ticketing system that aligns with Beckerbillett’s long-term goals.

03. Developing a personalized, adaptable ticketing experience
Central to the transformation was a ticketing portal that serves as the core of the entire system. This platform unifies the new microservices architecture. It delivers an intuitive, personalized interface for creating and managing ticket offers.

Built as a flexible solution, it starts with a basic module covering essential ticketing and visitor features. It can then expand with optional modules. This ranges from online shops and access control gates to dynamic pricing. The goal was to offer more flexibility. A modular approach means better customization and allows features to be developed independently. This helps lower costs for expanding the platform.

Key benefits of the portal include:

• Enhanced Flexibility: can add more modules and features to clients’ needs. 
• Reduces production time & costs: each component is built on its own. This reduces the time and cost associated with system-wide changes.
• Future-Proofing: a modular approach minimizes disruption. It lets Beckerbillett adapt to market demands without overhauling its entire solution.

04. Onboarding 10 new partners with 66% fewer developers

To help Beckerbillett increase its reach, the new portal also supports an API-based ticket sales system. Partners can sell tickets directly from their platforms & onboard new clients faster than before.  

A key challenge was ensuring real-time ticket availability across multiple sales channels. Our team developed a solution that synchronizes ticket inventory. It prevents overbookings and means that all partners have accurate up-to-date data.

In addition, we took on the task of integrating with a larger ticketing marketplace(BookingKit). This has significantly expanded Beckerbillett’s sales reach.
 

05. Gate access solutions to deliver more value for clients
One of our main goals was to help Beckerbillett offer more to their clients. We worked with its team to develop software for access control systems.

This includes handheld devices, standing gate terminals, and an EPOS system. The solution needed to integrate with their legacy cash registers.

Implementing a Universal Digital Solution for Porsche's Global After-Sales Network
Developing an after-sales platform to enhance communication between Porsche, its subsidiaries, importers, and approximately 800 Porsche Centers.

Client: Porsche
Industry: Automotive, Manufacturing
Services: Agile Management, Custom Software, IT Consulting, UI/UX
Technologies: AWS, CMS, WordPress

01. Customer

Customer background
Porsche is a well-known German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. 

As they keep evolving, Porsche stays committed to making customers happy. They focus on after-sales care, using innovation and the latest technology to improve services.

02. Background & need

Porsche, a luxury car manufacturer, sought to improve their digital interaction with customers in the after-sales department. To achieve this, they aimed to develop the “Sales Core Processes” Tool, aimed at building communication between Porsche, its subsidiaries, importers, and about 800 Porsche Centers.

The challenge was to create a user-friendly digital platform that reflects Porsche’s brand values and boosts customer engagement. And to ensure a consistent experience with quality across their services.

03. Pain points
The project aimed to tackle three main pain points for the company:

Firstly, the existing digital solutions did not align with Porsche’s sophisticated, modern brand image, reflecting the luxury and high performance that the brand is known for.

Next, there was a critical need for an interactive and engaging online experience. Integrating data on the latest requirements, procedures, and recommendations for after-sales service. 

Finally, A significant gap was the absence of a digital platform dedicated to making sure all customer service procedures were universal.

04. The challenges

The main challenge was to get to the core of this question. How do you ensure that everyone in the value chain across various countries and regions sticks to the customer service process and the respective tasks?

There was also the challenge of creating a visually appealing and intuitive digital platform. The goal was to integrate the platform smoothly with Porsche’s existing IT infrastructure, ensuring a seamless user experience. Additionally, the project faced the task of streamlining the after-sales customer service process on a global scale, requiring a system that could be universally applied yet tailored to different markets and regions.

05. The project’s development
We worked closely with Porsche’s team to deeply understand their brand ethos and customer needs. Agile methodologies were employed throughout the development process to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to changing requirements.

The focus was on creating a “Digital Knowledge Database” – the Porsche Service Core Process (SCP) – to replace outdated paper guidelines with a more efficient, web-based system. This platform was designed to be easily accessible to Porsche partners, offering the latest information on after-sales service requirements, procedures, and recommendations.

06. The solution
The outcome was a digital platform that provided an immersive and interactive experience. A key component, the Porsche Service Core Process (SCP), was introduced in April 2020 across 19 markets on five continents, with plans for further expansion.

The SCP, based on WordPress, allows for the creation of universal content solutions. An MVP (click dummy) version was initially developed and tested in two markets, followed by a fully working product based on the feedback from the first phase. This led to the launch of individual market pages and ongoing support for Porsche in the platform’s continuous development and maintenance.

Cargonexx: Lowering CO2 emissions with Data-Driven Transport Management Platform
Client: Cargonexx
Industry: Logistics
Services: Cloud, Custom Software, IT Consulting
Technologies: Apollo server, AWS, ElasticSearch, GraphQL, MongoDB, Next.js, PostgreSQL

01. Summary of this project

Cargonexx, based in Hamburg, aims to reduce empty truck transports, cut transaction costs, lower CO2 emissions, and help all parties focus on what matters most.
 
Cargonexx Transport Management Platform connects everyone in road freight logistics, enabling end-to-end collaboration between shippers, carriers, freight forwarders, and their customers.
 
To reach these goals, Cargonexx with our help upgraded their Transport Management Platform (TMP). This platform helps make logistics operations more transparent and efficient. The new features allow users to plan routes more accurately with live data and real-time traffic updates. This makes the platform easier to use and greatly enhances logistics operations.

02. Up to 30% of trucks in Europe drive empty, which greatly harms the environment
These empty truck journeys, also known as “deadhead miles,” not only waste fuel and increase operational costs but also contribute heavily to CO2 emissions. 

This inefficiency causes millions of tons of extra CO2 emissions each year. Reducing empty truck miles by 10% could save up to 10 million metric tons of CO2 annually, showing the urgent need for better logistics and smarter transport management.

03. Cargonexx platform improves route planning by reducing empty trips and traffic delays
Cargonexx is changing the logistics industry with smarter route planning. They cut costs by 20% and reduce expenses by 25-35%. They lower CO2 emissions by 35% compared to old methods. This is a big step forward for making logistics more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Key features of the TMP include:

• Real-Time Data Integration: live updates on traffic conditions and road closures to improve routes.
• Advanced Analytics: predictive analytics tools help spot potential delays and adjust routes accordingly.
• Dynamic Route Planning: routes are continuously updated. This is based on real-time data, ensuring the most efficient paths are chosen.
• Enhanced Collaboration: the platform helps all parties in the delivery process. From dispatchers to drivers, the platform helps deliver a smooth and coordinated operation.
• Sustainability Focus: optimized routes and reduced idle times mean, the TMP helps lower CO2 emissions. This helps align companies committed to sustainability.

04. Our role in expanding Cargonexx Platform
Cargonexx decided with our help to improve their Platform & provide real-time access to routing data. This includes the latest traffic reports and road closures. Giving drivers more data helped deliver more precise route planning. 

The platform also had to offer easy access to detailed data on individual shipments. This includes data on loading requirements, shipping and loading times, service times, and more. These features were essential for optimizing logistics processes.

Key features:

• Dynamic route planning
• Real-time collaboration across groups 
• Live GPS tracking
• Automation of business processes 
• Transport execution
• Predictive analytics

05. The result
Cargonexx used outsourcing to deliver several modules for its Transport Management Platform (TMP). The modules added access to live routing data, up-to-date traffic reports, and road closures. This allows for precise route planning, enabling more efficient and sustainable logistics planning.

By using real-time data and advanced analytics, the TMP enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs. The platform’s design supports better decision-making in logistics. 

Interested in similar solutions? Contact us to discuss how we can assist with your environmental technology projects.