Case study · Infrastructure
Electronic train management apps, live early through agile delivery
Arc Infrastructure needed custom software alongside the third-party system behind its electronic train management. Interfuze led the full stack development of its network possessions and speed restriction apps, delivering a year ahead of the original schedule with an agile approach.
Outcomes
- A year early delivery of the custom train management software, ahead of the original schedule
- Fortnightly reviews keeping the network possessions and speed restriction apps aligned with the business
The challenge
Arc Infrastructure operates Western Australia's south west rail network, about 5,500 km of rail infrastructure. Its Enhanced Network Control Project (ENCP) brought in electronic train management on a third-party system, and meeting every business requirement meant building extra modules in-house that interface with the third-party train planning and operations systems.
The first were Network Possessions, through which people request access to sections of Arc's track for maintenance and other work, and Heat Speed Restrictions. Both had to move from a legacy desktop application into easy-to-navigate web apps that enforce business and safety rules and automate tasks where possible, with consistent, user-friendly front ends and fast, integrated back ends that reduce overhead for employees.
The business was focused on delivering the overall project. To get value early, it needed help to think at the level of components, which could go live without the whole system. Deadlines were tight and deliverables changed along the way.
Our approach
We led and managed the full stack development of the custom software, starting with the Network Possessions module (NPM) and later the Speed Restriction module (SRM).
An agile process identified a minimum viable product, and the solution built from it went live early, so the business saw real benefits as soon as possible. By decoupling the custom software from the third-party rollout, we gave the business its new applications earlier than planned. The products keep improving from real user feedback, and fortnightly reviews keep them aligned with expectations while tasks are re-prioritised to suit wider business demands.
The apps are built on .NET Core with a DevExtreme web front end, whose standard controls give users a consistent interface across the suite. Several SQL Server databases hold complex data, including a complete map of the Arc rail network, and background services drive the integrations and give users the latest restriction recommendations. Azure DevOps pipelines build and deploy to every environment.
The outcome
Delivery came a year ahead of the original schedule, and committed delivery dates were met despite many challenges along the way.
The web apps give employees and customers more visibility while reducing Arc employees' daily overheads. Automation such as Heat Speed Restriction notifications drastically reduces manual double handling.
With a team of full stack developers, the work could be divided across the team at any point, which kept the project on time.
“Interfuze has augmented our technology team seamlessly. They quickly adapted to our culture and workflows, and have demonstrated reliability, flexibility, and the ability to deliver end-to-end solutions with a full stack development skillset.”
Where to next
Related work
The partner
- Microsoft at Interfuze Azure, data, AI and Copilot