Building a Unified Tech Platform for Truck Drivers
See how American Truck Business Services created a new mobile app for 150,000 truck drivers that improved daily operations with the help of Salesforce technology.
How ATBS Helps Truck Drivers Run Their Businesses
American Truck Business Services (ATBS) has been a pivotal partner for owner-operator truck drivers since 1998, offering crucial services like bookkeeping, accounting, tax, and business consulting. Helping over 150,000 truck drivers, ATBS enables them to run successful businesses and live their American Dream.
The Challenge: Replacing Legacy Software with a New Mobile App
ATBS sought to develop a new mobile app, significantly modernizing its tech stack and user experience and turned to LaunchPad Lab for support. The project aimed to create an integrated, streamlined platform for truck drivers, leveraging a Salesforce ecosystem.
Addressing the Need for a Modern, Mobile App
-
Disconnected Experiences
Users encounter inconsistencies across mobile and web apps, affecting engagement and retention.
-
Fragmented Systems
Lack of a unified channel experience restricts full-service capabilities to users.
-
Data Storage Concerns
Large data volumes in Salesforce pose compliance and space utilization risks.
-
Legacy Technology
The legacy web portal technology risks increased support costs and potential service disruptions.
The Solution: Mapping Out Plans for a Cutting-Edge Mobile App
LaunchPad Lab initiated the project with a Blueprint Workshop, guiding ATBS through the critical decision-making process regarding its technology update. Facing a discontinued Salesforce product for its client-facing web portal and a disjointed mobile experience, ATBS ultimately chose Heroku and Ionic as the foundations for this new solution.
- Heroku is a cloud platform as a service (PaaS) that enables developers to build, run, and operate applications entirely in the cloud.
- Ionic is a platform that allows for the development of cross-platform mobile and web applications from a single codebase, streamlining the development process.
This decision was driven by the goal of achieving a cohesive and comprehensive user experience across web and mobile platforms, addressing challenges with outdated technology and disconnected user experiences.
The Results: Launching an Innovative, Mobile App for Truck Drivers
The inclusion of Ionic simplified the UX design, allowing for a unified codebase that supports both web and mobile platforms efficiently. This approach facilitated the integration of complex native functionalities, such as:
- Utilizing the phone’s camera and file browser.
- Managing photo uploads and cropping.
- Seamlessly handling PDF downloads and viewing on mobile devices.
The implementation also ensured that key features like Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet charts were effectively translated and functional across native devices, significantly enhancing the user interface and interaction across platforms.
Architecture Overview
Client Testimonial
Benefits and Outcomes
-
Enhanced User Experience
We utilized Ionic for a unified codebase across web and mobile, simplifying development and maintenance.
-
Seamless Mobile Capabilities
With almost half of its 12,000 users being mobile users, ATBS is now able to provide a seamless experience across platforms and full mobile capabilities.
-
Technology Upgrade
This new tech stack enabled ATBS to phase out Salesforce Authenticated Sites, reducing operational costs and tech debt.
-
Reduced Dependency
We eliminated ATBS’s current reliance on third-party apps like Informatica, further cutting operational expenses.
-
Smooth Transition
The Blueprint Workshop and the solution we provided ensured minimal workflow disruption for ATBS during the project.
Let’s Build Something Great
To learn more about this transformative project and how LaunchPad Lab can help your business achieve similar advancements, connect with our team for a quick discovery session!
Ready to Build Something Great?
Partner with us to develop technology to grow your business.