Optimum and 3coast Services partnered to design and implement a modern and robust dispatch and billing software solution for the Houston Pilots.
About the Client
The Houston Pilots Association provides pilotage services to all foreign flag vessels and American vessels under register entering or departing the Port of Houston, Harris County, Texas. As mandated by Texas state law, these services operate 24/7, 365 days a year, covering the largest petrochemical complex in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico’s largest container port. Houston ranks first in U.S. exports and foreign tonnage.
Business Challenges
The outdated dispatch and billing system hindered the Houston Pilots from achieving optimal user experience and efficient business processes. The legacy applications, built on obsolete technologies, lacked modern UX/UI, impeding the execution of streamlined dispatch and billing operations.
Optimum’s Involvement
Optimum, in partnership with 3coast Services, designed and developed a robust, integrated, and scalable ERP solution tailored to the Houston Pilots’ specific needs. The project began with a comprehensive Discovery & Define phase, where in-depth workshops and interviews with stakeholders were conducted to gather business and system requirements. These insights were used to develop detailed documentation outlining the software application’s personas, target audience, and user journey.
Optimum’s team then focused on UX/UI design, creating wireframes and prototypes using modern design techniques. Usability testing was conducted to refine designs, ensuring maximum usability and efficiency. Key deliverables included research/user profiling, visual and interaction design, and front-end development.
The development phase involved creating the new dispatching and billing application, migrating various data sources into a centralized data warehouse, and establishing nightly ETLs for data synchronization. This new solution integrated modern technologies, including mobile capabilities, cloud backend, and secured authentication.
Project Outcomes and Benefits
The implementation of the new ERP solution provided numerous benefits for the Houston Pilots. By integrating modern technologies such as mobile capabilities and a cloud backend, the new system enhanced security with secured authentication, ensuring robust and reliable operations.
The user experience saw significant improvements with the development of a user-friendly interface designed for optimized accessibility. This enhanced user interface ensured cross-platform compatibility, promoting consistency and learnability across various devices and platforms.
Operational efficiency was notably improved as the new system reduced manual processes and provided real-time access to accurate information. The streamlined project management process facilitated real-time updates and notifications, making it easier for team members to track project status and manage tasks effectively.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Significant reduction in manual processes
- Increased efficiency in dispatch and billing operations
- Enhanced user satisfaction with the new UX/UI design
- Improved visibility and tracking of project status
Overall, Optimum’s state-of-the-art solution addressed the Houston Pilots’ challenges, providing them with a competitive edge and laying the foundation for sustained business growth and customer satisfaction.
Contact us: info@optimumcs.com | (713) 505 0300