Dhow Operations Hub

Client:Maritime logistics operator (port handling) · JeddahYear:2024Industry:Maritime logisticsDuration:8 weeks

app
logistics
saudi

Overview

Self-hosted NocoDB replaced three sprawling Google Sheets workbooks managing 900+ vessel calls per month for a Jeddah port-handling firm. Role-based views let operations, finance, and customs teams each see only their columns; an automation webhook triggers WhatsApp alerts when a vessel ETA changes. Manual data-entry errors drop 83%; cross-team reporting time cut from 4 hours to 12 minutes.

The challenge

Three departments managed vessel-call data in overlapping Google Sheets that diverged daily. Customs needed agent certificates; finance needed dues; operations needed ETAs — all merged into one sheet no one owned. Saudi Ports Authority audits required traceable, timestamped records that Sheets could not provide.

The solution

Our approach

We adapted the open-source NocoDB platform — self-hosted on a Saudi VPS to satisfy ARAMCO supply-chain data rules — and modelled the three Sheets as linked NocoDB tables with foreign keys on vessel-call ID. Custom role-based views hide sensitive financial columns from ops and customs users. An n8n automation polls the NocoDB REST API every five minutes for ETA-change events and fires WhatsApp alerts to the duty officer on call.

Outcomes

What we delivered

Data-entry errors reduced 83% in first month

Cross-team reporting time cut from 4 hours to 12 minutes

Saudi Ports Authority audit passed with traceable records

Zero sheet-version conflicts since go-live

Key metrics

−83%Data-entry error reduction

12 minReporting time

900+Vessel calls managed/month

0Sheet version conflicts

Tech stack

NocoDB (self-hosted)
PostgreSQL
n8n
WhatsApp Cloud API
Docker

Services

NocoDB self-hosted setup
Data model migration from Sheets
Role-based view design
n8n alerting automation
Staff onboarding

Client testimonial

“We had three teams arguing over a spreadsheet every morning. NocoDB gave each team their own window into the same truth and the arguments stopped overnight.”

— Eng. Salim Al-Zahrani, Operations Director — Dhow Maritime

Related work

More in this category

GCC remittance & FX app · Manama

Sarrafa Notification Engine

Self-hosted Novu replaced seven separate notification integrations (email, SMS, WhatsApp, push iOS, push Android, in-app, Slack ops channel) with a single workflow engine. Arabic RTL notification templates, a digest-batching rule for high-frequency FX alerts, and Bahrain CBB regulatory delivery-receipt logging are all managed from one dashboard. Customer support tickets about missed alerts drop 71%; Bahrain CBB compliance log generation 4h → automated.

app
fintech
bahrain

Result:Missed-alert tickets −71%; CBB compliance log fully automated; 7 integrations → 1

View project

Facilities management company (380 sites) · Riyadh

Midad Ops Console

Refine.dev replaced a costly bespoke React admin built on a tangle of Redux. The open-source Refine CRUD framework, extended with a custom Arabic RTL Ant Design theme, powers a work-order management console for 380 managed sites across Riyadh and Jeddah. Feature delivery time drops from 6 weeks to 4 days; work-order close rate improves from 68% within SLA to 91%.

app
enterprise
saudi

Result:Feature delivery 6wk → 4 days; SLA close rate 68% → 91%

View project

Residential property management (540 units) · Sharjah

Abraj Property Ops

Self-hosted NocoDB manages 540 residential units, lease records, and maintenance tickets. Self-hosted Novu pushes bilingual Arabic/English notifications to tenants for rent reminders, maintenance updates, and contract renewals via WhatsApp, SMS, and email. Rent arrears cases drop 44%; maintenance-ticket close time 9 days → 2.1 days.

app
enterprise
uae

Result:Rent arrears −44%; maintenance close time 9 days → 2.1 days

View project

Let's build something that ranks — and runs itself.

Book a free 30-minute audit, or message us on WhatsApp. We'll send a fixed-price proposal in two days.

Book a free 30-min audit WhatsApp us