Digital Platform for Vehicle Conversions
In 2022, we joined the development of GasPoint, a digital fintech platform that helps motorists convert their cars for natural gas vehicle (NGV) fuel.
Product
GasPoint is a platform with a set of services. They turn NGV conversion into an ecosystem, with a common platform used for processing the documents, estimating the costs of applications, tracking their status, etc.
Task
Developing from scratch:
- a web application for corporate car owners;
- a web application for GasPoint managers;
- a mobile app for car service partners.
GasPoint ensures:
- collaboration between car owners, car service stations and product suppliers;
- application for installment plan to convert a vehicle;
- document flow for the service.
Solution
Development and testing
To manage this project, we used a cascade model. In this case, the development stages follow one after the other – when one stage is completed, its output becomes the input for the next stage.
We prioritized the tasks. The following features were of primary importance for implementation:
- dashboard with introductory information for users;
- process of signing documents;
- installment plan calculator;
- installment payment schedule.
At the same time, we were eliminating critical bugs, which could prevent displaying the status of documents or their downloads.
The application was built in a Docker container and deployed to Yandex.Cloud. Just before the release, Microsoft ended its relationship with Yandex - we had to abandon the Windows virtual machine. This created a number of challenges, since CryptoPro, a service for electronic document flow, is designed only for Windows OS. To address the problem, we studied the relevant documentation within a short period and created JCP, our own service based on CryptoPro.
A QA specialist tested all features of the platform ranging from authorization to signing documents. Overall, the project involved writing more than 600 cases and identifying more than 70 bugs, with most of them fixed.
Design
We had three tasks:
- designing primary prototypes for key application scenarios;
- defining the project style;
- creating design concepts and component libraries.
The design priorities were determined as the business prepared and clarified its scenarios. For example, when developing an application for car service stations, we held meetings with the customer, where we clarified the details of current business processes involving the vehicle conversion and eventual hurdles for the work.
For all products, there was a particular focus on document management, including the signing, approval, verification of documents, and processing of their errors. For the mobile app, we also prepared the visual materials for the Google Play and App Store.
Delivering deliverables
In MVP, we implemented a close relationship between the car owners, GasPoint managers and service stations for their successful communication across the vehicle conversion process.
Technologies
Kotlin 1.7.10, Spring Boot 2, PostgreSQL, Flyway, Apache POI, Amazon S3, Flutter, Cubit, cryptoPro JCP, Yandex.Cloud, Gitlab, Figma, Java