Zero-downtime deployments using the Pionative Kubernetes Stack
Challenges surrounding logistics management? Not for CtrlChain! At CtrlChain, everything revolves around transforming the logistics landscape. Their solution has permanently changed the way shippers and carriers can do their work.
About CtrlChain
Since its founding in 2018, CtrlChain has specialized in building a unique platform that enables logistics automation. Their application combines cutting-edge technology with human-centric support. They empower logistics automation by building a control centre that enables streamlined, digital and efficient processes for shippers and carriers.
The need to optimize the logistics sector
The traditional logistics sector was confronted with a problem. Shippers lacked a network of reliable carriers and a centralised process. Carriers struggled to keep up with industry demands and to keep operational costs to a minimum. Both are huge challenges in logistics management, and the lack of transparency between shippers and carriers led to significant losses due to ‘empty’ runs made by drivers. CtrlChain seized the opportunity to develop a solution and set high standards for themselves: they aimed to create an automated logistics ecosystem.
Their now highly developed system allows shippers and carriers to manage the entire transportation process from one centralized platform, ensuring digital, streamlined, and automated operations. Developing this presented a significant challenge, as it required innovative software. Never had a logistics company deployed trucks so easily without any form of manual follow-up, spreadsheets, or paperwork in the logistics process.
Continuity of services with the Pionative Kubernetes platform
The development teams at CtrlChain play a crucial role in solving these logistics problems. To implement their solutions, they use a microservices architecture. One of the biggest challenges they encounter is the process of deploying new software. To ensure the continuity of their services, it is essential this happens without the customer noticing. Scheduled maintenance on software that is used 24 hours a day is not an option. The task is to deploy new updates without downtime.
And with success! To achieve this, CtrlChain asked Pionative to set up and manage a full-fledged Kubernetes infrastructure. This ensures the software runs smoothly and is scalable. New versions of the application are implemented continuously without the users noticing. Other components needed for CtrlChains operations – such as Managed Azure Services for database components – integrate seamlessly with the Kubernetes platform as well. Moreover, the platform meets the latest security standards, including CIS compliance (Center for Internet Security).
“Because the Kubernetes stack is always stable and up to date, there’s no worry about the platform and we can fully focus on our software development.” - Rick van Elk, Vice President Technology at CtrlChain
Seamless collaboration
An exceptionally good collaboration has grown between CtrlChain and Pionative, as the expertise in infrastructure and development of both teams meet at their best and strengthen each other.
The use of a shared Teams channel provides the engineers at CtrlChain an easy option to collaborate with Pionative. This way, both companies work seamlessly together, as if they were one company. As questions are answered immediately, developers won’t have any unnecessary wait before they can continue their work.
“We have seen CtrlChain grow over the last 3 years. These people are truly fun to work with! The direct lines of communications with CtrlChain enable us to collaborate very efficiently.” - Hijmen Fokker, co-founder of Pionative
Forward-thinking and ready for more innovations
CtrlChain is always looking for ways to further transform the transport sector. This is just the beginning, and we hope to achieve much more with this collaboration!
The major advantages for CtrlChain
- Continuously available: CtrlChain can make changes without downtime, allowing their applications to run 24/7.
- Up to date infrastructure: Updates to the infrastructure are implemented consistently, and new vulnerabilities are immediately addressed.
- Full focus: The development team can fully concentrate on their software development while the platform runs smoothly and secure, thanks to Pionative.
- Insights: The Pionative observability tooling adds a lot of insights in CtrlChain’s complex application landscape.
