Web application for vehicle electronic order management
LeasePlan ČR opted for our team to meet their new requirement for creating a system supporting electronically processed vehicle order management.
What did we offer to our client
We offered a web application because it could provide an efficient interface for placing orders by authorized users. The whole application will be integrated to the existing LeasePlan internal system which processes all incoming orders.
In the following phases LeasePlan required integration of the created web application into LeasePlan Online portal with the intention to consolidate different applications into one location [directory] and accessible under a single login profile.
In order to increase user awareness of ordering procedures the customer intended to use notifications via SMS messages with a prospective option for installing a feature for electronic signature of attachments which could be entered into the system by users.
Application design in its principle
The web application that we designed is accessible from any standardly used browser with added features in terms of system security. According to the client’s wish, great attention was given to a transparent, uncomplicated and a truly user-friendly interface.
Within scope of the intended integration of the application with the company’s existing internal system (IBM server and operating system) which handles processing of orders, it was necessary to ensure continuous bi-directional updating of order and transaction information. Memos Software designed a user interface definition system and XML-based communication using XML files. A standard requirement imposed for this model is that the functionality is maintained even if the system is momentarily not accessible. Even under those circumstances the application does not allow the user to execute any modifications which would later not be acceptable due to system inaccessibility.
To facilitate the whole order procedure, an option for adding electronic signature to attachments was implemented into the web application; users can now enter signed documents directly into the application. Efficient use of this functionality requires the user to own a personal certificate authorizing usage of the electronic signature granted by a verified certification authority.
We designed and included the required notification functionality for LeasePlan via SMS messages. In this way users can have a better overview of the current status of their orders. An SMS message, for example, directly informs the user that a vehicle previously ordered by this user is ready for handover at the supplier’s address.
In the next phase it was necessary to embed the web application into the LeasePlan Online portal, so that users could access the application directly from this portal without having to enter their login information more than once. The web application is now integrated in the user interface on the portal via iFrame, a special window displaying the running application. An implied part of the solution is an application ensuring periodic data synchronization: this program automatically loads all active identities from the web application to the LeasePlan Online portal at regular time intervals.
Conclusion
The created web application working in smooth integration with LeasePlan internal enterprise system helps to simplify especially those business processes which are related to car order management. The key benefits of the newly installed solution can be summarized as follows:
- Easily controllable and transparent interface for car order processing in a new application accessible for authorized users.
- Users are better informed about pending orders and status of works for placed orders (notifications via SMS messages).
- „Paper documentation“ has been eliminated by large, especially thanks to the electronic signature functionality used for signing attachments.
- The web application is accessible just like any typical website, but with additional security for LeasePlan Online portal which is only for registered users.
