Keeping control of packaging in ornamental horticulture transport
Every day, De Haas Road Cargo delivers flowers and plants on carriers and crates that must be returned after use. Previously, requesting returns or extra packaging meant phoning the office. Appfront developed an app that lets customers arrange this themselves, while the office keeps direct oversight through a dashboard.
90% more efficient
The new ordering process requires 90% less manual work. Customers order independently, returns run automatically, and planning syncs in real time.
100% visibility
All packaging returns and orders are visible in real time on the planners' dashboard.
When logistics growth calls for digitalisation
Every delivery of ornamental plants also generates a return flow of packaging. Customers would phone or email the office, where planners processed requests manually and fitted them into the schedule. As the number of customers and routes grew, it became clear that oversight and speed were crucial. The process therefore called for a digital solution in which customers could easily submit requests and planners would have immediate insight into the return flows.
The app has completely transformed our packaging process. Customers now order independently, returns run automatically, and our planners have real-time insight into every route.
Understand first, then build
Before writing a single line of code, we wanted to understand how De Haas works. During the kick-off, we walked through the entire order process: how a customer places a provisional order before 11am, how it must be finalised by 1pm, what happens when a carrier is returned, and what the crate administration looks like. That became the blueprint for everything that followed. Every three weeks, we tested progress with the whole team. No PowerPoints, but clickable prototypes. Feedback was incorporated directly into the next sprint. In this way, over 4 sprints, we moved from the first wireframes to a complete order app with a live integration to the TMS and an admin portal through which De Haas itself manages customers, addresses and stock.
From phone calls to a single tap
The returns app is designed to make packaging management as simple as possible for De Haas Road Cargo's customers. In the app, they can indicate in a few steps which carriers or crates are ready for return, or order extra packaging directly. Requests are automatically forwarded to De Haas's office, where planners have immediate insight into all requests via the dashboard. This removes phoning and emailing from the process and creates a quick, clear way to organise return flows.
Five workers, one queue: the architecture behind real-time sync
With four apps all running on the same data and needing to sync continuously with Transpas, a traditional setup was not enough. We designed a queueing system with five workers that pick up tasks in parallel. One synchronises routes via SFTP, the next processes incoming orders, a third submits GMR applications to the British government, and the last two handle push notifications and device registrations. If something fails, the task is automatically rescheduled. Every error is traceable, and every task can be restarted. The result is a system that is not only fast but also self-healing.
Three apps, one integrated platform
Order & Returns app
Customers independently place provisional and final orders, request carrier and crate returns, and receive automatic confirmation emails. Everything is integrated with Transpas.
Transport Planner
Planners drag orders into planning groups, monitor load capacity, and synchronise changes with Transpas in real time via a drag-and-drop interface.
Customs app
Drivers manage MRN numbers and GMR applications for UK transports directly from the app, integrated with the GOV.UK API without an intermediary.
Mobile-first, built for practice
The packaging app is designed mobile-first throughout. Every screen is built for one-thumb use, so customers can quickly register returns or order extra crates or casks, directly from the auction or on the move. Requests are processed in real time and are immediately visible to planners on the office dashboard. Under the hood, a scalable backend runs requests through a robust queuing system and synchronises them with De Haas's existing systems. Tasks are automatically retried when something fails, so the platform stays fast, reliable and always available.
Framework
React Native | ReactJS | Node.js | Docker | Google Cloud
Fewer phone calls, more oversight
With the packaging app, customers of De Haas Road Cargo have a simple way to arrange returns of carriers and crates. What used to happen through phone calls and separate requests now takes place directly in the app, with an integration to the TMS. For De Haas Road Cargo, this means less manual work and better oversight of return flows. Planners see in a single dashboard which packaging needs to be collected and can plan routes more efficiently, while customers receive help more quickly.
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