Collaboration app for 70.000 crew members
Taking control of intermodal logistics
Substantial projected savings. One reservation system to manage it all.
Short summary
Industry
Railroad
Location
USA
Services
Web development
UX/UI design
Quality assurance
Team
Team Lead
Scrum Master
Product Designer
4 QA Engineers
7 Backend Engineers
4 Frontend Engineers
Technology
Frontend — Angular
Backend — Java + Quarkus
Every day, thousands of containers pass through our Class I client’s intermodal terminals. Managing this volume efficiently was a growing challenge. They needed a reservation system that could streamline capacity allocation, optimize train utilization, and allow shippers to book space without manual intervention.
We joined forces with our partners, a leading consulting firm based in New York, to deliver the best possible solution.
The challenge
Managing intermodal train capacity at this scale meant tackling some serious obstacles:
- Unpredictable demand – Train utilization varied wildly, leading to inefficiencies.
- Lack of automation – Manual processes made it difficult to allocate and monitor train capacity.
- Legacy system integration – The new system had to work with existing infrastructure, including tracking and scheduling platforms.
- High operational volume – With thousands of containers moving daily, delays were costly.
- Urgent timeline – The company needed a fully functional system in record time.
The solution
We developed a fully integrated internal reservation system that enables seamless planning, booking, and capacity management:
- Internal reservation platform – Empowers staff to allocate, manage, and optimize train capacity in real time.
- Full system integration – The solution works with the company’s existing logistics systems to ensure smooth data flow.
- Advanced analytics & reporting – Provides clear visibility into utilization, allowing for smarter, data-driven decision-making.
- Automated reallocation – If a reservation isn’t used, the system identifies open slots and redistributes them efficiently.
We chose DECODE for their directness, their rigor, and the caliber of individuals they hire. That came through during the very first conversation.
A NEW WAY FOR INTERMODAL
A real-time, cloud-based reservation system designed to streamline and optimize train capacity. What was once a fragmented and manual process is now automated, efficient, and scalable.
Solution features
- Lane utilization insights
- Train capacity tracking
- Shipper management
- Real-time event tracking
- Slot reallocation
- User roles & permissions
- Custom reporting & analytics
Lane utilization insights
Displays real-time and historical data on lane capacity.
Train capacity tracking
Provides multiple views of train availability, utilization, and scheduling.
Shipper management
Tracks how much space each shipper is using and automates reallocation.
Real-time event tracking
Updates statuses instantly, ensuring better forecasting and resource allocation.
Slot reallocation
If a shipper doesn’t use their allocated slots, the system automatically makes them available for others.
Custom reporting & analytics
Generates in-depth reports on usage patterns, efficiency, and demand trends.
Our impact
Backend & frontend engineering
A system this critical needs to be fast, reliable, and easy to use. We built a powerful backend using Java and Quarkus to handle real-time freight logic while developing an intuitive Angular frontend that gives teams the control they need without the complexity.
Every update, every action, and every decision happens in real time, giving teams complete visibility and confidence in their capacity planning.
System integration & API development
This isn’t an isolated system—it’s a key piece of a much bigger logistics puzzle. We integrated it seamlessly with the client’s real-time tracking and scheduling software ensuring smooth data flow across all freight operations.
Our team built custom APIs that let the system communicate effortlessly with existing tools.
Quality assurance & testing
Our solution is a critical part of the client’s operations. That means it needs to work flawlessly. We put it through rigorous testing at every stage, using automated and manual QA to eliminate potential issues before launch.
Our team performed on-site testing at the client’s headquarters, fine-tuning performance in real-world conditions to ensure a smooth, disruption-free rollout.
Deployment & infrastructure
A system of this scale needs to be fast, secure, and always available. We deployed it on a cloud-native infrastructure using Kubernetes and OpenShift, ensuring scalability and reliability from day one.
With automated CI/CD pipelines, updates roll out without downtime, and with real-time monitoring through Splunk and DataDog, issues get caught before they affect operations.
How we got there
Clear & constant communication
We don’t believe in guesswork. That’s why we worked with the client’s teams in daily stand-ups, weekly strategy meetings, numerous workshops, and constant direct communication through Slack and Teams.
This kept everyone aligned, and the project moving forward. No delays, no silos—just tight, effective collaboration.
Onsite & remote teamwork
Some challenges are best solved in person. That’s why our backend, frontend, and QA teams traveled to the client’s US headquarters for hands-on integration and testing.
Working side by side with their engineers helped us debug issues in real time, fine-tune system performance, and accelerate deployment—all without the usual back-and-forth delays.
Agile & flexible development
This wasn’t a static project—it was a high-speed, evolving challenge with shifting priorities and tight deadlines. Our team worked agile and fast, adapting to new requirements on the go while keeping the focus on delivering a system that worked. We didn’t just build to spec—we helped refine and improve processes along the way.
Outcome
With 15+ DECODE team members driving this project, the solution was built, deployed, and launched successfully. The system is already transforming intermodal logistics, and the impact is clear:
- Significant projected savings – Optimized capacity allocation drastically reduces costs.
- Higher operational efficiency – Fewer delays, less congestion, and more accurate forecasting.
- Faster planning & decision-making – Staff can quickly adjust train allocations based on demand trends.
- Better shipper experience – A simpler, faster, and more reliable way to book intermodal train space.
- Scalability for future expansion – The system is built to evolve as the company’s needs grow.
Since going live, the solution has processed thousands of daily reservations and set a new benchmark for efficiency in intermodal freight management.
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