Mobile Applications to an Outdated Industry
Our client, a leader in the Barging Transportation Industry for more than 15 years, aimed to enhance their suite of applications with the addition of a cross-platform mobile app.
Our client, a leader in the Barging Transportation Industry for more than 15 years, aimed to enhance their suite of applications with the addition of a cross-platform mobile app.
The project focused on identifying key features that could be integrated into a mobile app for deckhands on tugboats to enhance their workflow. By understanding their daily tasks and challenges, we aimed to determine which processes could be most effectively optimized through a mobile solution.
This initiative sought to improve operational efficiency and user adoption of mobile technology in an industry traditionally reliant on manual methods. Through careful analysis and testing, we aimed to drive innovation while ensuring the app met the practical needs of the users onboard.
Understanding deckhands' daily tasks onboard tugboats.
Identifying which tasks to optimize with a mobile app.
Encouraging user adoption of mobile technology.
Integrating the app into existing operations without disruption.
Conducted interviews and observations to gather insights into their workflow.
Focused on time-consuming tasks that could benefit from mobile integration.
Designed a simple, user-friendly app to ensure easy adoption.
Aligned the app with current workflows to ensure smooth integration.
During the Discovery Phase, our team worked closely with several stakeholders to deeply understand the daily barging operations. We collaborated with industry experts to identify key pain points in the deckhands’ workflows, particularly areas where manual processes created friction and inefficiencies. Based on these insights, we compiled a list of viable features that could be built into a mobile application to address these challenges.
Together with the stakeholders, we focused on finding a balance between ease of implementation and the impact of features on operational efficiency. As a result, we decided to implement a barge quality check as the first feature to streamline processes and improve task accuracy.
The Discovery Phase led to a clear understanding of deckhands' workflows and identified the barge quality check as the most impactful feature to implement. We successfully prioritized features based on user needs and technical feasibility, setting the stage for a user-friendly mobile app that would enhance productivity and streamline operations.
The Discovery Phase led to a clear understanding of deckhands' workflows and identified the barge quality check as the most impactful feature to implement. We successfully prioritized features based on user needs and technical feasibility, setting the stage for a user-friendly mobile app that would enhance productivity and streamline operations.
We designed a user-friendly mobile app and an efficient backend service to optimize tugboat operations.
Mobile App: The app allowed deckhands to securely log in and search for barges within their fleet. Users could select a barge, perform a quality assessment, take photos, and submit detailed reports directly from the app. This streamlined daily tasks and ensured accurate, real-time reporting.
Backend Service: Built with .NET, the backend was designed to seamlessly support Offline Mode, allowing deckhands to file reports even when out of cell service range. Reports would automatically upload once the device regained connectivity.
Our team focused on user-centered design, conducting thorough research, wireframing, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the app met the specific needs of the users. The seamless integration with existing systems allowed for efficient deployment and long-term scalability.
Using React Native, our team built a robust mobile app that could be easily accessed by deckhands. We focused on key features like secure login, the ability to select barges, complete quality checks, capture images, and submit reports. The app was optimized to function efficiently, even in environments with limited or no connectivity, enabling users to continue their tasks offline and automatically sync once they returned to signal.
For the backend infrastructure, we used .NET and Azure to ensure a seamless integration with the client’s existing systems, allowing for smooth data transmission between the app and the server. The backend was designed to manage all reports and ensure real-time synchronization when devices reconnected to the internet.
Our collaboration resulted in the client’s first-ever mobile application, marking a significant technological advancement in the barging transportation industry. Despite the app’s small feature set, it introduced mobile technology to a sector that had not seen much digital innovation. The app was well-received, offering users a streamlined way to perform key tasks like quality checks and report submissions, even in challenging environments. By bringing mobile technology to a traditionally low-tech industry, we helped the client stay ahead of the curve and set the stage for further digital transformation within their operations.
budget conscious
from discovery to market
iOS and Android stores
a. Over 700 million tons of goods are transported annually by barge in the U.S., including essential commodities like grain, coal, and petroleum — making inland waterways a critical part of the supply chain. b. One barge tow can carry the equivalent of 870 tractor-trailers, making barge transport one of the most efficient and cost-effective freight methods for bulk goods in the country.
This industry forms the backbone of domestic supply chains but often runs on outdated, manual processes. Digital tools unlock visibility, reduce downtime, and help companies stay competitive in a modern logistics ecosystem.
Many operations are field-based with legacy habits, poor connectivity, and fragmented recordkeeping. Solutions must be intuitive, offline-capable, and purpose-built for on-the-ground efficiency — exactly what this project delivered.
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