The Client
NCC Service (Rental with Driver)
A chauffeur-driven rental company operating a fleet of high-end Mercedes vehicles requires advanced technological solutions to optimize operational management, ensure driver safety, and improve service efficiency.
The Challenge
The customer was faced with several critical issues in the daily management of its fleet:
Main Problems
-
Lack of Real-Time Visibility
- Lack of a centralized system to monitor vehicle status
- Difficulty in tracking fleet location and activities in real time
- Inability to receive immediate notifications in case of anomalies or incidents
-
Inefficient Resource Management
- Lack of objective data on drivers' driving behavior
- Difficulty in planning preventive maintenance
- Lack of metrics for consumption optimization
-
Safety
- Need to ensure maximum safety for both customers and staff
- Need for an automatic warning system in case of collisions or malfunctions
- Request for continuous monitoring of vehicle conditions
-
Reporting and Analysis
- Lack of tools for historical data analysis
- Difficulty generating detailed reports on travel, consumption and performance
- Lack of insights for operational improvement
The Solution
Hoculus has developed a private web platform that integrates Mercedes vehicles with an intelligent management system, transforming telematics data into actionable insights for business optimization.
Technical Architecture
The solution was built with a modern and scalable architecture:
Technology Stack
- Backend : Laravel (PHP) - Robust business logic framework
- Frontend : React with Inertia.js - Modern and Responsive UI
- Server : LEMP Stack (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP) on dedicated infrastructure
- Real-time : Laravel Reverb + WebSockets for real-time updates
- API Integration : Vehicle API access through Targa Telematics
Mercedes API Integration
The platform communicates directly with Mercedes vehicles through the Targa Telematics API, which allows for precise data on:
- Real-time GPS location
- Fuel level and range
- Vehicle health status
- Mileage and engine parameters
- Driving events and anomalies
The Development Process
Phase 1: Analysis and Design
Application Diagram
- Study of available APIs and evaluation of technical possibilities
- Definition of business objectives and functional requirements
API Analysis
- In-depth API analysis, authentication and data retrieval testing
- Evaluation of limitations and best practices
Idea Generation
- Brainstorming on innovative features
- Prioritization based on customer needs
- Identifying opportunities for operational optimization
Briefing and Choice of Technology Stack
- Evaluation of different technological options
- Final decision : Laravel + React + Inertia.js
- This combination offers:
- PHP Backend Robustness
- React frontend interactivity
- Easy integration with Inertia.js
Entity Relationship Diagram
- Complete database design
- Defining relationships between main entities:
- Vehicles
- Drivers
- Trips
- Anomalies
- Users and permissions
Phase 2: Infrastructure Setup
LEMP Server Setup
- Creating and configuring the dedicated server
- Installation and optimization of:
- LinuxNginx (web server)
- MySQL (database)
- PHP (runtime)
- Configuring Node.js and Yarn for the frontend
- Setup of staging and production environments
Phase 3: Core Features Development
Completing the Main Dashboard
Development of core dashboard functionality:
-
Real-Time WebSocket System
- Laravel Reverb implementation for two-way communication
- Real-time events for immediate fleet status updates
- Broadcasting optimized for high performance
-
Home Dashboard
- Fleet overview with key KPIs
- Interactive map with location of all vehicles
- Aggregated statistics on travel, consumption and anomalies
-
Vehicle Management
- Vehicle creation and editing page
- Automatic synchronization with API
- Detailed view of the status of each vehicle
-
Driver Management
- Complete CRUD system for drivers
- Driver-vehicle association
- Travel history and personal statistics
-
System Anomalies
- Automatic detection of anomalous events
- Classification of anomalies by severity
- Real-time push notifications
-
Interactive Map
- Real-time visualization of vehicle position
- Tracing historical routes
- Intelligent clustering for large fleets
Vehicle Backend
- Implementation of controllers and middleware
- Data validation and sanitization
- Error handling and logging
Phase 4: Optimization and Bug Fixing
- Correction of average speed calculation
- Correct conversion of measurement units (distance / 1000)
- Correction of the unit of measurement for the distance travelled
- Correct formatting of average speed and consumption
- Layout reorganization for better UX
Main Features
1. Real-Time Fleet Monitoring
Centralized Dashboard
- Map view with real-time updated location of all vehicles
- Operating status of each vehicle (traveling, parked, charging)
- Fuel level and remaining range
- Instant notifications for critical events
Vehicle Detail
- Complete technical information (model, VIN, license plate)
- Real-time telematics data:
- Current speed
- Consumption
- Engine temperature
- Tire and fluid condition
- Trip history with routes displayed on map
- Usage and performance statistics
2. Driver Management
Complete Personal Data
- Personal data and documents
- Vehicle-Driver Association
- Assignment history
Performance Analysis
- Driver score based on:
- Driving style
- Consumption
- Respecting the limits
- Anomalies recorded
- Travel statistics:
- Kilometers traveled
- Driving hours
- Average speed
- Trips completed
3. Intelligent Warning System
Automatic Detection
- Collisions and impacts
- Technical malfunctions
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Abnormal driving behavior
- Scheduled maintenance due
Multi-Channel Notifications
- Web dashboard with real-time badges
- Automatic emails
- SMS integration possibility (future)
4. Advanced Reporting
Travel Report
- Duration and distance
- Route with interactive map
- Fuel consumption
- Average and maximum speed
- Abnormal events during the journey
5. Administrative Management
Multi-User with Roles
- Admin: full access
- Manager: operational management
- Viewer: consultation only
Safety
- Robust authentication
- Activity log
- Automatic backups
Technologies and Integrations
Backend: Laravel
Benefits Implemented
- Eloquent ORM : Elegant Database Management with Complex Relationships
- Queue System : Asynchronous processing for large API calls
- Event Broadcasting : Real-time notification system via WebSocket
- Task Scheduling : Automatic synchronization with Targa Telematics
- API Resources : Optimized data serialization for the frontend
Frontend: React + Inertia.js
Characteristics
- SPA-like Experience : Smooth navigation without page refresh
- Component-Based : Code Reuse and Maintainability
- State Management : Efficient management of application state
- Real-Time Updates : WebSocket for always-up-to-date data
Results and Benefits
Operational Improvements
Increased Efficiency
- Reduction of fleet coordination times
- Route optimization based on historical data
- Proactive maintenance planning
Cost Reduction
- Real-time consumption monitoring
- Identifying inefficient driving behaviors
- Prevent costly breakdowns with predictive maintenance
Enhanced Security
- Immediate response in case of accidents
- Driving Behavior Monitoring
- Reducing operational risks
Conclusions
The Mercedes NCC Dashboard project represents an example of excellence in the development of custom solutions for the professional transport sector. Hoculus has demonstrated its ability to:
- Deeply understand the needs of a complex business
- Designing scalable and modern architectures
- Integrate advanced technologies (AP, real-time WebSocket)
- Develop features that generate real value for the customer
- Ensure quality through continuous testing and iteration
The platform is not just a technological tool, but a digital partner that supports customers daily in managing their business, ensuring efficiency, security, and competitiveness.