Tempora Heating Elements

Rescuing a Commercial Grade IoT Railroad Heating System - From 18 Months of Tech Delays to Live in <3 months
Industry:
Logistics
Location:
Canada, USA
Technologies:
AWS IoT
,
Raspberry Pi
,
BeagleBone
,
Node.js
,
NestJS
,
React
,
Python
,
C++
,
AWS Lambda
,
Services:
Hardware & IoT
,
Custom Software Development
,
Backend Development
,
Servers & Cloud Infrastructure
,
API Development & Integration
,
Quality Assurance & Testing
,
Fractional CTO Service
,
Digital Transformation
,
DevOps & Automation
,
Cybersecurity Solutions Support
,
MacBook mockup
Live
In <90 Days
IoT Platforms
RaspberryPi, IoT Gateway, AWS IoT
Rescued Startup
From Development Impasse with Outside Dev Agency

Challenges  

Shady, managing two companies specializing in industrial heating systems and electrical control systems for the railroad industry, encountered significant challenges with his initial offshore developer:

1) Prolonged Development Timeline:

  • After a year and a half and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent, the project was still incomplete, with no end in sight. This delay severely impacted operational timelines and delivery commitments.
  • Penalties were incurred due to the project falling behind schedule, adding financial strain to the operational difficulties.

2) High Volume of Critical Defects:

  • Client testing revealed numerous critical defects that kept accumulating without being resolved. The system remained non-operational, causing significant disruptions.
  • The constant emergence of new issues and the inability to fix existing problems led to a chaotic and inefficient development process.

3) Lack of Transparency:

  • There was a severe lack of visibility into the root causes of the development issues. The offshore team only addressed surface-level symptoms, leaving underlying problems unresolved.
  • Miscommunication and misleading updates further complicated the situation, making it difficult for Shady’s team to gauge real progress.

4) Operational and Field Deployment Issues:

  • Initial installations were disastrous, causing stress and sleepless nights for Shady. The inability to remotely troubleshoot and manage field equipment exacerbated the problem.
  • The offshore team’s deliberate withholding of information and source code hampered effective troubleshooting and resolution efforts.

"It was a disaster. I couldn't sleep weeks on end because I was afraid machines stopped working, we'd lost communication, and it was just brutal."

Shady Sabongui

CEO at Tempora

Solutions

Recognizing the critical need for a reliable solution, Shady decided to partner with BitLab, leading to a comprehensive and effective remediation approach:

1) Project Takeover and Reverse Engineering:

  • BitLab conducted a thorough audit and identified critical gaps in information and source code through reverse engineering practices.
  • Despite pushback from the previous vendor, BitLab successfully negotiated the release of necessary artifacts, enabling a smooth transition and continuation of the project.

2) Accelerated Release Schedule:

  • The first release was completed in just 5 weeks, addressing the most urgent defects and stabilizing the system.
  • The second release, completed in week 9, was shipped to the client’s customer, incorporating major fixes and improvements, significantly enhancing system reliability.

3) Enhanced Development Process:

  • BitLab implemented a robust and scalable development framework, ensuring consistent performance and functionality.
  • Clear and continuous communication was established, providing Shady with accurate updates and visibility into the project’s progress.

4) Parallel Development for Future Growth:

  • Shady commissioned BitLab to begin parallel development on the next iteration of the hardware and software, adding new functionalities and ensuring no expense was spared in delivering a superior product to his client.
  • The new development process focused on building a reliable, scalable, and user-friendly system that could meet future demands effectively.

"Right now, I'm very comfortable. I could sleep at night and we have over 200 things on the field, and I'm not worried. We are able to see the system, update firmware, troubleshooting without having to send somebody on the field and drive six hours away."

Shady Sabongui

CEO at Tempora

Results

The strategic partnership with BitLab led to several significant positive outcomes:

1) Timely Project Delivery:

  • BitLab’s efficient development process significantly reduced the project timeline, enabling Shady’s team to meet customer deadlines and commitments effectively.

2) Improved System Reliability:

  • The new system’s robust architecture and comprehensive error handling mechanisms resulted in higher reliability and user satisfaction, with significantly fewer issues and complaints.

3) Operational Efficiency:

  • Enhanced remote troubleshooting capabilities allowed Shady’s team to manage and resolve issues quickly, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

4) Future-Proof Foundation:

  • The scalable system architecture and comprehensive documentation provided a strong foundation for future expansions and upgrades, ensuring long-term success and adaptability.

4) Reduced Stress and Improved Focus:

  • With BitLab effectively managing the technical aspects, Shady experienced a significant reduction in stress, allowing him to focus on other critical business areas and strategic growth.

Features

IoT Fleet Management

IoT Fleet Management

Control Systems

Control Systems

Cloud IoT

Cloud IoT

Admin Dashboard

Admin Dashboard

Multi-tenant Platform

Multi-tenant Platform

Technologies

AWS IoT
Raspberry Pi
BeagleBone
Node.js
NestJS
React
Python
C++
AWS Lambda

Services Provided

Hardware & IoT

From hardware design, to firmware , to cloud and IoT. Build modular, industrial-grade, upgradable IoT solutions.

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Custom Software Development

Develop tailored software solutions to meet specific business requirements and challenges. From enterprise software to niche applications, we can build it all.

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Backend Development

Create well-architected scalable backends following best practices in microservices, REST, GraphQL, and distributed systems.

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Servers & Cloud Infrastructure

Pick the right cloud provider, automate your infrastructure and CI/CD. Make your team efficient, make your platform scale.

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API Development & Integration

Design and implement APIs for seamless integration between different systems and services. Ensure your applications can communicate effectively and securely.

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Quality Assurance & Testing

Provide comprehensive testing services, including manual and automated testing, performance testing, and usability testing to ensure your product meets the highest quality standards.

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Fractional CTO Service

Build the right product using the right technology, with the right team, fast. Build your tech to be your most valuable asset.

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Digital Transformation

Guide businesses through the digital transformation process, leveraging the latest technologies to enhance efficiency, customer engagement, and business growth.

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DevOps & Automation

Optimize your development pipeline with CI/CD, automated testing, and deployment strategies. Ensure continuous delivery and integration with minimal downtime.

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Cybersecurity Solutions Support

Implement robust security protocols to protect your applications and data. Offer penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits.

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