Tag: Windows Service

Logical Locking Software

In 2015, EmpireCLS needed a way to alleviate the physical locking issues that they were facing when users edited a reservation. The legacy Linux system was using a physical database lock that would stay active when a user attempted to edit a reservation, this lock would remain in effect until the user explicitly released it or their process was killed by an admin. Because killing the process became the normal procedure the user that had the lock would lose any in process edits. This problem directly impacted daily operations, automated booking feeds, and the IT staff.

We built a cross platform logical locking framework that would enforce the same edit semantics that the EmpireCLS staff had grown accustomed to but would allow supervisors to release locks without the need of killing a process and losing the in process changes for a user.

This implementation required both a Linux and Windows code base so we used C# / Mono to create the cross platform libraries.

Technologies… C#, C, Linux, asp.net, Mono

GPS Tracking Software

In 2014, EmpireCLS needed a better GPS solution to track all of its vehicles. This service was a direct dependency of the “auto dispatch” system.

We ended up writing GPS query services to both Bing and Google. Cost was a constant factor as the number of queries that needed to be made was in the 100’s of thousands a day.

Technologies… C#, Google API

Promotion Software

In 2013, EmpireCLS needed the ability to offer promotions to their customers. The current method of just crediting their account after the fact didn’t allow them the marketing flexibility that they were looking for.

We designed and implemented the system that would allow EmpireCLS to have time based, instance based, and customer based promotions.

Once the project was completed the marketing team had the tools to create promotions which would allow EmpireCLS to offer services during low volume times, lure back customers that didn’t use the service for a while, and bring on new customers that never heard of them before.

Chauffeur App 2.0

In 2013, EmpireCLS needed to revamp their mobile chauffeur application because the Windows Mobile 6 platform was to be deprecated. Windows Phone 8 was the platform of choice for this application that supported their 400+ mobile workforce.

A large amount of client code was re-used from the original mobile app, along with the entire back end.

Highlights…

  • Chauffeurs could notify central dispatch that they were awake and ready for work. Before this feature dispatchers would call chauffeurs on the phone to validate that they were ready and would make their first pickup of the day. This saved thousands of man-hours a year.
  • Was done using cross platform development patterns to allow other mobile platforms to be implemented. The goal of using Xamarin to create an IOS an Android app was taken into consideration way up front to cut down on overall cost of bringing up these 2 platforms at a later date.

Technologies… Windows Phone 8, c#, WCF, PCL

System Monitor Software

In 2012, EmpireCLS needed a way to keep track of the overall health of all the applications that we were writing. We developed a series of database queries that would notify the MIS team of certain events throughout the entire back office suite.

This service would basically poll dozens of SQL tables looking for queue backups, delayed processing, process errors, etc.

Technologies… C#, SQL Server

Customer Notification Software

In 2011, EmpireCLS needed a notification system to send out email and text notifications to customers for whom the chauffeur when a they were in a location waiting for the customer. Special notifications were used for VIP customers and high security customers so that their managers and handlers could receive full background data on the chauffeurs for security purposes.

Upon landing at an airport a customer would know that their chauffeur was there waiting for them, who the chauffeur was, and the chauffeurs cell number in case they had to contact them.

Technologies… SQL Server, C#

Be Transported Product

In 2011, EmpireCLS wanted to unite their 500+ affiliate network and build a marketplace for customers.  This was a brand new business entity and was released as betransported.com.

We worked extensively with the EmpireCLS executive team to help define the business model.  We were then able to implement the entire application in around 9 months; website, accounting, mobile app, and the on boarding of 400+ affiliate partners.

The project was a success as far as the partner relationships were concerned.  There were many challenges with getting customer adoption so it was put on hold indefinitely.

System highlights… web UX for creating rating structures, extensible rating API, cross platform mobile app with code reuse from back end, extensible excel import framework for bulk loading rating structures.

Technologies… C#, SQL Server, asp.net MVC, asp.net Web API, Xamarin.

Flight Tracking Software

In 2010, EmpireCLS needed automate the tracking of flights to better control the dispatching of their drivers. By having the most accurate view of a flights estimated arrival time EmpireCLS would be able to optimize the dispatching of vehicles and cut down on vehicles being idle at airports.

Technologies… c#, SQL Server, Flightview API