What problems is OutSystems solving and how is that benefiting you?
We first started using OutSystems in 2015. We had a pretty mixed range of business systems, including large ERP, off-the-shelf apps, and bespoke logistics systems. Bespoke development was mainly .Net, but also some Java.
We were finding integration an increasing challenge, and within the application development team, we suffered a bit from specialism silos, which made work allocation and collaboration more difficult.
We hoped that by adopting OutSystems for bespoke system development, we'd breakdown those silos, make integration easier, and of course, speed-up delivery. And in the past five years, we've delivered on those objectives.
Our first project, "MiEstafeta," was delivered in partnership with OutSystems. This was an 11-week project to deliver a customer-facing web and mobile-friendly application that allows users to schedule pick-ups, track shipments, and manage their Estafeta relationship.
Since then, we've trained and certified most of the members of the development team. They typically have a .Net development background. Nowadays, when we have new members join the development team, we find it quick to get them up-to-speed using the free OutSystems self-study guided learning paths.
In the past five years, the team has delivered all kinds of applications using OutSystems, including:
Core systems – include transport management, track and trace, route planning, CRM, and operational dashboards.
Customer-facing apps – include MiEstafeta, and point of sale—both internet sales, and in-store.
Mobile apps - including the "SOE" app used by drivers to execute routes, scan packages and prove delivery, and the Estafeta mobile app used by customers.
Backend services – that integrate with SAP and multiple other systems, making it faster and easier to develop and maintain the customer-facing apps that Estafeta needs.
We now have a continuous delivery pipeline, with weekly and sometimes daily releases across a portfolio of over 25 OutSystems applications. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.