Building Haulam — The Technology Behind Africa’s Smart Freight Platform
Published on July 31, 2025
Client Overview
Client: Haulam
Industry: Freight Forwarding & Logistics
Region: Africa (Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria)
Website: haulam.com
Haulam is a forward-thinking freight platform designed to modernize logistics in Africa. The application provides a seamless, efficient, and transparent way for businesses and individuals to manage their shipments — from quote to delivery.
Nocodek partnered with the Haulam team to design, build, and deploy a scalable freight technology platform that combines automation, real-time tracking, and clean user experience — transforming how shipping is managed across borders.
The Challenge
When Haulam approached Nocodek, their vision was ambitious:
They wanted to create a digital-first freight forwarding experience that simplified international shipping for African users, starting with routes from the UK to Nigeria.
The logistics industry in the region was heavily manual, facing several key challenges:
- Hidden costs and unclear delivery timelines
- Manual booking and payment processes
- Lack of shipment visibility or digital tracking
- Customer support overload from repetitive inquiries
The goal was to replace traditional systems with a smart, automated freight platform that offered real-time transparency, faster operations, and an intuitive interface for both customers and administrators.
Our Approach
At Nocodek, we believe great digital products start with clarity — both in process and design.
We structured the Haulam project in four phases:
- Discovery & Strategy – Understanding Haulam’s customer journey and logistics workflow.
- Design & UX Mapping – Creating wireframes and prototypes to visualize every touchpoint.
- Development & Automation – Building the core web platform, database structure, and workflow automations.
- Testing & Deployment – Running user tests, refining user flows, and launching on scalable cloud infrastructure.
Core Features
Haulam was developed with a user-centric design philosophy, focused on simplicity, transparency, and automation.
1. Shipment Dashboard
A unified dashboard that gives users a clear overview of all active shipments — showing status, costs, and progress in real time.
2. Real-Time Shipment Tracking
Users can track their parcels end-to-end, with live location data, delivery estimates, and push notifications on status changes.
3. Effortless Shipment Booking
Customers can book shipments easily through dynamic forms that calculate rates automatically based on origin, destination, and weight.
4. Detailed Shipment History
A complete, searchable record of all past shipments, filterable by date, destination, or delivery status.
5. Secure Account Management
The platform features role-based access control and Firebase Authentication for data protection and secure logins.
6. Automated Email & SMS Notifications
Upon each action — booking, payment, or delivery update — users receive automated emails and messages. The adminBookingInvoice configuration ensures invoices and confirmations are instantly sent.
Technology Stack
Haulam’s platform was built using a modern, scalable, and cloud-native stack, combining no-code speed with full-code flexibility.
Frontend
- Next.js + React: For a fast, responsive, and dynamic user interface.
- Tailwind CSS: To maintain consistent design language and visual clarity.
Backend & Database
- Firebase (Google Cloud): Powers authentication, database, and real-time updates.
- Firestore: Serves as the main database for user and shipment data.
- Firebase Authentication: Manages secure logins and roles.
Automation & Integrations
- Make (Integromat): Connects internal workflows for notifications, booking updates, and admin tasks.
- Paystack: Handles secure online payments.
- Twilio & Firebase Cloud Messaging: Power SMS and push notification systems.
Hosting & Deployment
- Google Cloud App Hosting: Ensures high availability, performance, and scalability for growing user traffic.
Design Process
The design team at Nocodek focused on creating a trust-centered interface — one that communicates reliability at every touchpoint.
Key design principles:
- Minimalist UI: Simple color palette and clean layouts for clarity.
- Fast navigation: Designed with low-bandwidth users in mind.
- Consistent brand voice: Every page and component aligns with Haulam’s identity as a modern African logistics brand.
Launch & Performance Results
Haulam’s beta version was launched to a closed group of early adopters in Nigeria and the UK. Feedback from both business and individual users helped refine the system before public rollout.
Within 60 days of beta launch:
- Over 300 shipment quotes generated through the calculator.
- 40% fewer manual inquiries due to automation and AI-powered support.
- Average quote generation time reduced from 30 minutes to instant.
- Significant boost in customer retention and satisfaction.
Impact Summary
| Metric | Before Haulam | After Nocodek’s Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Booking Method | Manual via WhatsApp | Online, Automated |
| Quote Time | 30 mins avg | Instant |
| Shipment Tracking | Limited | Real-Time |
| Customer Support Load | High | Reduced by 40% |
| Operational Efficiency | Low | Significantly Improved |
Outcome
Through our collaboration, Nocodek successfully delivered a smart freight management platform that combines automation, modern design, and real-time functionality — positioning Haulam as one of Africa’s most innovative logistics startups.
Haulam is now scaling its platform to include more shipping routes, business dashboards, and AI-driven predictive delivery analytics — built upon the solid foundation we helped create.
Conclusion
At Nocodek, our mission is to help businesses leverage technology to automate, scale, and innovate faster.
Haulam stands as a testament to that vision — transforming complex, manual freight operations into a digital, transparent, and customer-first experience.
By leveraging the power of Next.js, Firebase, and Google Cloud, our team built a solution that’s not just functional, but future-ready — one shipment at a time.