Courser Processing Django Application

Project Overview

I developed a fully custom Django application for Courser Deer Processing to digitize and streamline their order management operations. What started as a plan to replace their outdated pen-and-paper process evolved into a fully functioning digital hub that manages orders, client information, employee scheduling, automates communications via the Project Broadcast API, and much more.

Client Info

Courser Deer Processing is a family-owned business specializing in custom deer processing. With over 2,000 orders per year, the company needed a more efficient and reliable system to handle order management, client communications, and employee scheduling. The custom Django application was built to address these needs, providing a seamless digital solution to improve daily operations and customer service.

My Role

As the sole developer on this project, I was responsible for the entire development cycle, from initial planning and design to deployment and maintenance. I worked closely with the Courser Deer Processing team to understand their workflow and specific needs. My role included:

Gathering requirements and understanding the pain points of the existing manual system.
Designing and developing a fully custom Django application to meet the company's order management, client tracking, and communication needs.
Implementing key features such as automated customer communications, dynamic pricing, employee scheduling, and payroll tracking.
Integrating third-party services like Project Broadcast API for SMS communications.
Setting up the AWS EC2 infrastructure and configuring the application to run on Apache and Ubuntu.
Ensuring the system was scalable, user-friendly, and easy to maintain.

Key Features

Order & Client Management

A centralized digital system to manage all orders and client information, replacing the previous pen-and-paper method.
Easy search and retrieval of order details using client names, phone numbers, or other identifiers.

Automated Client Communications

Integrated with the Project Broadcast API to automatically send SMS notifications to clients when their orders are ready, significantly reducing the time spent on manual communications.

Employee Scheduling & Time Tracking

Built-in scheduling tool to manage employee shifts and track working hours.
Automated payroll calculations based on logged hours for more efficient and accurate compensation.

External Order Management

A system to manage third-party orders alongside standard processing, offering a seamless experience for both internal and external clients.

Dynamic Pricing

The ability to adjust pricing for future seasons without editing code, ensuring flexibility and ease of maintenance.

Reservation System

Automatically manages order reservations, halting new orders once capacity is reached, helping the business control workload and avoid overbooking.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Managing Orders Without a Reference Number

Solution: The previous system relied on manual search through binders when clients didn’t have their order number. I developed a robust search functionality that allows orders to be quickly located using a variety of identifiers, such as client name, phone number, or other order details.

Challenge: Automating Customer Communications

Solution: Courser Deer Processing spent considerable time contacting each customer when their order was complete. I integrated the Project Broadcast API, automating SMS notifications, which drastically reduced manual communication time, allowing the team to focus on other tasks.

Challenge: Employee Time Tracking & Payroll Management

Solution: Manual tracking of employee hours and payroll was inefficient and prone to error. I built a time tracking and scheduling system that logs employee hours and calculates payroll automatically, ensuring accuracy and saving administrative time.

Challenge: Managing Multiple Systems for External Orders

Solution: External orders were previously managed separately from internal orders, creating confusion and inefficiency. I designed a single interface to manage both internal and external orders within the same system, streamlining operations.

Challenge: Dynamic Pricing and Long-Term Maintenance

Solution: Adjusting pricing in the old system required modifying the code every year, making updates cumbersome. I created a dynamic pricing system that allows the company to adjust prices for future seasons through the admin panel, providing greater flexibility and reducing maintenance efforts.

Outcome/Results

Time Savings:

The new system has saved hundreds of hours per year by automating processes that were previously done manually, such as order lookups, client communications, and employee payroll.

Efficiency Improvements:

The automated SMS notifications via Project Broadcast API have reduced the time spent contacting each customer when their orders are ready. This time savings is especially significant given that Courser Deer Processing handles over 2,000 orders annually.
The system also allows for easy searching and retrieval of order information, eliminating the need to manually sift through physical binders, which was a significant pain point with the old system.

Scalability & Flexibility:

The dynamic pricing system has allowed Courser Deer Processing to adjust prices for future years without modifying the application code. This feature provides long-term scalability and reduces the overhead of system maintenance.

Client Satisfaction:

Courser Deer Processing’s team has reported a huge improvement in workflow, with processes being more streamlined and errors minimized. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with the business now enjoying a more efficient and scalable system that can handle both their current and future needs.