Loconi Intermodal S.A. is a strategic player in the container logistics sector in Poland, offering land and port transport services. As part of the global leader PSA International, the company constantly strives to improve the quality of its operations and reporting. The main challenge was the need to build a modern data platform from scratch, enabling real-time reporting, while lacking an internal data team and needing to recreate business logic from existing systems.
Reason for undertaking the project:
The project was initiated in response to the need to organize and integrate data from various operating systems (in particular ERP and the Intense accounting system) and to create the basis for automatic and up-to-date operational and financial reporting.
Scope of work
Key activities:
- We supported the construction of a data platform on GCP
In the first phase of the project, we supported the Loconi team in launching the process of replicating data from SQL Server to BigQuery using Kafka Connect. We placed particular emphasis on data from the ERP system and the Intense financial and accounting system. We ensured their correct mapping and continuity of flow. In addition, we advised on the organization of the ELT process and the configuration of the Dataform environment, supporting the client in the development of the architecture and approach to data modeling. - The client's business logic was reconstructed
Based on technical documentation and SQL Server code, we recreated fragments of logistics and operational process logic. The Data Engineering team then transformed these elements into Dataform models, which were embedded in the newly implemented data architecture. This allowed us to transfer key aspects of the existing reporting approach to a more scalable and automated analytical environment. - Creating basic reporting in Looker Studio as a starting point for further development on the client side
We prepared a basic version of the RZIS report in Looker Studio, based on the mock-ups provided and the client's current operational needs. The dashboard was divided into three thematic sections and allowed data to be filtered by date range and selected branch. This formed the basis for further analytical activities developed by Loconi. - Automation of data processing and implementation of monitoring
As part of the project, we implemented a set of basic system alerts based on Cloud Monitoring and supported the client in preparing a simple model for forecasting P&L indicators. The whole process was embedded in a schedule implemented by the native Dataforma scheduler, which was responsible for regularly running the models in accordance with the established processing cycle.
Results
Key results:
- Integration of data from multiple systems in one place
- Reduction of data refresh time from 24 hours to 5 minutes
- Implementation of a comprehensive reporting environment with automation and monitoring
- Dataform as a central tool for data quality management and ETL flow
Business value:
- Data democratization – various teams gained access to up-to-date data in an intuitive form.
- No need to build a data team from scratch on the client side.
- A solid foundation for building an internal data team was created.
- A basis for expansion within PSA International.
Opinia klienta
The Alterdata team has proven that it can not only build technology, but above all understand the specifics of logistics and map them in data – without technical documentation. This project has paved the way for modern data management.
The Alterdata team has proven that it can not only build technology, but above all understand the specifics of logistics and map them in data – without technical documentation. This project has paved the way for modern data management.
Summary
The project implemented for LOCONI was an important step towards organizing and automating work with operational and financial data. Our activities included configuring data replication from SQL Server to BigQuery (using Kafka Connect) and supporting the launch of the first data models in Dataform. On this basis, an RZIS report was created in Looker Studio, which provided the organization with daily, automated access to key indicators.
Although this was only the beginning of a full data transformation, the project gave the client a ready starting point for further scaling analytics in the Google Cloud environment.
If you are looking for a partner to help you build the foundations for modern data analytics, we are ready to work with you.
