Commercial and private fleets: the WAT platform and the total control achieved

Vodafone Automotive: an overview

Vodafone Automotive, a global leader in connected car technology and services, brings over 40 years of industry expertise, further strengthened by Vodafone's acquisition of Cobra Automotive Technologies in 2014. The company delivers a broad spectrum of pioneering solutions, ranging from vehicle security and fleet management to insurance services and advanced onboard technologies.

In 2014, Vodafone Automotive turned to Sensei with the aim of enhancing its telematics management platform - a critical Java-based system that enables real-time fleet monitoring and optimization. From the kickoff, however, several complex challenges emerged, demanding innovative technical solutions and a highly specialized team to ensure success.

Challenges faced

At first, the client’s goal was to simply introduce new features to the existing application, yet as the project progressed, several underlying structural issues quickly appeared, requiring immediate attention and more extensive solutions as: 

1. Lack of internal Java developers: Vodafone Automotive lacked internal Java expertise, making it difficult to maintain and improve the platform.
2. Software instability: as demand and data volume increased, the platform began to show signs of instability, with frequent crashes and slow performance, leading to issues for large corporate clients.
3. GDPR compliance: the introduction of data protection regulations required a complete update to ensure compliance with GDPR, safeguarding data security and privacy.

Analysis, solutions, and optimization: our approach

To address the emerging issues, we proceeded with a structured approach that required not only implementing new features but also resolving stability and performance issues. Our work progressed through multiple phases, each strategically designed to address specific challenges and deliver continuous enhancements as follow:

1. Development of new features: as first step we implemented the requested features without altering the underlying technology, quickly addressing Vodafone Automotive’s needs with specialized Java developers.
2. Critical analysis: as the project progressed, performance and stability issues occurred, prompting us to conduct a thorough analysis of the root causes of malfunctions and slow performance. It became necessary to reconsider key aspects of the platform to ensure reliability and scalability.
3. Optimization of performance and stability: we introduced several technical interventions to enhance system performance as:
• Queue systems: the adoption of queue systems improved request handling, reducing response times and improving overall efficiency.
• ETL tools as Talend: the introduction of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tools like Talend optimized data flow management and increased efficiency in data warehousing processes.
• GDPR compliance: we implemented all necessary measures to ensure full GDPR compliance, protecting personal data and ensuring platform security.

The technical solutions implemented

The WAT platform, used for fleet telematics management, was enhanced with key features, including:

• Driving behavior monitoring to reduce accident risks.
• Data analysis to optimize routes and reduce fuel consumption.
• Stolen vehicles tracking with an accurate and reliable tracking system.
• Consumption and diagnostics monitoring to improve fleet management and reduce costs.

The platform includes both internal and external applications, with a dedicated web portal for real-time monitoring and customized report generation.

Team downsizing and decommissioning: the phase of transition

After achieving stronger operational stability, our involvement gradually decreased. Once performance issues were resolved and GDPR compliance ensured, Vodafone Automotive decided to scale back its engagement, maintaining only a single representative. Ultimately, as technology advanced and new business needs emerged, the decision to gradually decommission the application was made.

Achievements

Thanks to strategic interventions and optimizations, the resulting tangible benefits included:

• Increased stability: crashes and malfunctions were drastically reduced, ensuring a reliable system.
• Improved performance: response times and request execution were significantly optimized, enhancing the user experience.
• GDPR compliance: the platform was fully updated to meet European regulations, ensuring the protection and security of personal data.

Conclusion: a long-standing partnership

Our collaboration with Vodafone Automotive is still ongoing: we continue to provide support, ensuring the WAT platform operates effectively until its complete decommissioning, maintaining high service quality and customer satisfaction.