Intelligent Parcel Logistics System

Keeping Hungary’s parcels on track: Magyar Posta’s integrated logistics event system

Since 2015, MADIS has been developing IKR – the core system that collects, consolidates and puts to work the logistics events of Magyar Posta’s shipments – together with Posta InIT.

At a glance

~10×

growth in the volume of data handled

2 + 8

databases and applications served

10

MADIS specialists in a 17-person team

Summary: Every parcel Magyar Posta handles generates logistics events in several operational systems. IKR brings these events together in one consolidated structure and builds services on top of them – from track and trace and customer notifications to customs and financial settlement. MADIS has been developing and extending this core system since 2015, while the volume of data it handles has grown almost tenfold.

The client

Magyar Posta is Hungary’s national postal operator. Its operational technology systems support postal logistics processes, and the company wanted to use the events generated there for other, non-transactional functions as well. This is why it created IKR in 2012.

The challenge

IKR’s core task is to store events from multiple source systems related to parcel shipments in one structured, consolidated system, and to build functions on this data layer – shared between two large databases and eight applications.

IKR is a core system: if it fails, postal logistics processes can only be followed through manual administration. In recent years, the volume of data it handles has grown almost tenfold.

• Business-critical availability: postal operations depend on the system every day.
• Growing volumes: almost ten times more data than a few years ago.
• Constantly evolving needs: requirements change regularly, and every development is custom-built, not an off-the-shelf solution.
• Industry specifics: parcel logistics comes with its own standards and its own universal service obligations.

Our approach

Building the core

The foundation of IKR is a consolidated event store with the core functions built on it: track and trace for customers on posta.hu and for customer service, event-based email and SMS notifications, recording of damaged parcels, document management, data for cash-on-delivery settlement, and parcel order data handling with validation and forwarding to other systems.

Growing with the business

As new needs for the stored data emerged, IKR was extended step by step: letter mail events, power of attorney management, customs processing with NAV integration, APIs for webshops and other customers, reporting and dashboards, data distribution to sorting lines and settlement support for parcel lockers.

Working as one team

MADIS specialists work together with Posta InIT in a 17-member team that covers all the competencies the system requires, from logistics and data warehousing to financial settlement – including architectural requirements that go beyond development.

The solution

IKR efficiently collects, processes and manages transactional and master data extracted from operational systems, while offering data cleansing, consolidation and analysis. Most of the data layer and functions run on an on-premises Oracle database, with a smaller part implemented in .NET back-end and front-end applications. The system is integrated into its environment through SOA, SSIS, APIs, middleware and gateways.

Its main modules include:

• Track and trace: shipment events for customers and full event history for postal staff and customer service.
• Customer notifications: event-driven SMS and email between the collection and delivery systems, based on configurable templates.
• Customs: support for customs clearance of every shipment arriving in Hungary, including calculation of duties, VAT and excise tax, with NAV integration.
• MPL API: a simple way for large webshops to submit parcel data electronically, so the data is already in the system when the parcel arrives.
• Partner network: handling of collection and delivery events and commission settlement for partner pick-up points.
• Reporting: data owners can create custom client reports themselves in MicroStrategy, without development requests.

Technologies: Oracle Database · .NET / ASP.NET MVC · SSIS · SOA · APIs · MicroStrategy

Results

• Automated processes: processes that were previously recorded manually are now fully automated.
• Ready for mechanised sorting: electronic data is available before the parcel arrives, supporting highly mechanised processing lines.
• Shorter handling times: parcel handling time has been reduced.
• Lower costs: more accurate and efficient operations, leading to higher productivity and lower operating costs.

Facing a similar challenge?

Running a business-critical system that needs to keep growing? Talk to our software development team.