Shipping Container Monitoring Service

In 2022, we were contacted by the owner of a shipping container monitoring product that allows end-users to track the integrity and environmental conditions inside containers and provide global visibility of goods within. After terminating relationships with both previous subcontractors responsible for hardware and software product development respectively, our client required PSA expertise in these domains to successfully transfer all the intellectual property and continue further development and deployment of the product.

Take over manufacturing and enhancement of the product from the previous subcontractors.

Prepare the integrated hardware and software product for further development and manufacturing under strict deadlines, as well as provide reliable support and continued development.

To execute a successful transfer of all intellectual property to the client, PSA collected, analyzed, sorted, and coordinated the data from both previous vendors and structured the documentation in two directions – the Hardware part, and the Server/cloud SW part. We identified the baseline product versions and confirmed the reproducibility of the existing products.

• In 30 days instead of the 45 planned initially, the PSA team accomplished the Hardware part by performing end-of-line testing and programming. The initial activities of a complete build of the firmware were performed without access to the device and test fixtures.

• In 1 month instead of the 6 planned initially, and without prior information about the technology used in the server app and infrastructure used for deployment, we set up and configured a new production infrastructure in the Azure cloud to allow end-customers to monitor their containers. 

After the client regained full control over their intellectual property, our team proceeded with further product support & development. First, we found and fixed critical bugs within the product which significantly hindered its commercial viability. To provide an understanding of the system and simplify the implementation of updates, we created initial documentation for the general system, which was not done by the previous vendor.

PSA enhanced the device hardware with the goal of optimization. The following activities were performed:

• Redesign of electronics and PCB to improve devices’ efficiency  

• New firmware for better maintainability, reliability, and extensibility

• Updates for mechanical design due to PCB redesign

• A new communication protocol for improved security 

Deployed in Azure cloud, the web app allows users of the shipping container monitoring devices to track their cargo safety anywhere, at any time. After deployment, the PSA team improved the Azure cloud infrastructure to provide better stability and performance. To increase the convenience of using the product, as well as its reliability, PSA enhanced it in the following areas:

Access & Permissions

• User roles and permissions for devices’ distributors

• Possibility to log into the recovered account via email

Security Enhancements

• Limited login attempts

Usability 

• Opportunity to filter shipment list, view of details on shipment, and device events for specific shipment

• Reporting service for shipment list

In view of changes to system requirements, we redesigned the database and implemented new business logic. Also, we established CI/CD flow to accelerate system update delivery. 

PSA continues to provide permanent infrastructure support for the software and engineering support for device manufacturing and integration in 3rd party systems. Also, we continue to negotiate further improvements to contribute to the product’s global promotion.

• Requirements definition
• Documentation validation
• Firmware build and validation
• Deploying in cloud
• CI/CD
• Software development
• Firmware development
• Hardware developme
• UI updates
• Functional testing