The Challenge

Initial Conversation
Unidev recently had the opportunity to work with a propane tank monitoring company that came to us seeking interface improvements. This company uses IoT devices and real-time satellite monitoring to measure the level of propane in tanks across the US and they needed a solution that could scale and handle the complex demands of processing satellite payload data. Their site, developed several years ago and outsourced, presented a confusing user interface (UI), outdated components, and data integrity issues. That’s when they turned to us, looking for trusted developers to help solve these challenges and build a future-ready solution.

 

Key Challenges and Vision
Their core challenge was finding a tech partner who could understand their complex data workflows, particularly around parsing, reporting, and logging satellite data from third-party vendors. The lack of access to the original source code meant we had to reverse-engineer key calculations and workflows. Additionally, their database needed an overhaul, so building a new, clean, and scalable database from the ground up was essential. Their vision? A reliable system with a modern UI and the ability to scale effortlessly as their business grew.

The Solution

Turning Vision into Reality
We took the time to fully understand their operations—what worked, what didn’t, and what features they’d been dreaming about adding. Armed with that knowledge, we got to work on designing a user-friendly UI and rebuilding their entire backend infrastructure. At the heart of the project was the new database, designed with smart indexing, proper normalization, and linking tables that set them up for future growth.

 

Breakthroughs and Wins
The most exciting breakthrough? The new database provides the flexibility to create new user types for products and services that don’t even exist yet. Previously, their system only supported employees and customers, but now they can handle all sorts of users, opening the door to future expansion. The revamped UI also made a huge impact, offering a logical flow that’s easier for customers to navigate.

Project Highlights:

  • UI Overhaul: We gave their UI a fresh, modern look using Angular, improving both aesthetics and usability.
  • Data Visualization: Integrated AG Grid components and Chart.js graphs for a streamlined dashboard with quick insights.
  • Mapping Integration: Embedded Google Maps to enhance the user experience, especially for route planning.
  • Database Overhaul: Completely rebuilt their database with Entity Framework, ensuring it was normalized and scalable.
  • ETL Scripts: Designed scripts to safely transfer their existing data into the new system.
  • Future-Proofing: Prepared for future integrations with third-party platforms like QuickBooks and Salesforce.

The Result

Going Beyond Expectations
Initially, they were looking for an updated UI and a functional dashboard for an upcoming conference. We delivered much more. By focusing on fixing the backend’s data integrity issues and future-proofing the system, we gave them a platform that can scale to support new users, products, and features—something they hadn’t expected but now fully appreciate.
The features we’ve built—like route planning, tank alerts, and report downloads—are already set to improve user experience and efficiency. These tools will them stay competitive, allowing them to expand their offerings and better serve their customers.

 

Challenges and Memorable Moments
One of the toughest parts of the project was reverse-engineering the old site’s data without access to the original source code. It required painstaking effort to ensure that all calculations and workflows were accurate. But despite these challenges, the process was collaborative and rewarding. This project wasn’t just about fixing a user interface — it was about setting them for long-term success and scalability, helping them grow alongside their rapidly evolving industry.

 

Biggest Wins

“The most impactful part of this project? These new features will make the client extremely competitive in their field and will allow them to expand their offerings.” – Sheri, Developer

 

“I think it’s cool that the data we are using is generated from IoT devices from remote locations around the world. These devices upload their data to the database via satellite and I enjoyed working on code that would decode payload data that the IoT devices sent back.” – Issa, Developer

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