Effitrax is an innovative Belgian company specializing in telematics solutions for heavy vehicles and industrial machinery. Their flagship product, the EffiCube, is a revolutionary connected device for all heavy vehicles and machinery in waste and municipal management. It enables the collection of all vehicle data, at all times, to give the client relevant information for any type of application (fleet and route management, accident prevention, optimizations, etc.). However, as the platform scaled, the need arose for enhanced performance and scalability, prompting Effitrax to seek out Alberic’s expertise.
Effitrax approached Alberic to enhance the performance and scalability of its EffiCube platform, ensuring it could support a growing customer base and manage the demands of at least 40,000 vehicles. The project required a comprehensive approach, involving deep dives into hardware development, embedded software development, and cloud software architecture through various phases of our product innovation journey.
The journey began in the THINK phase, where we collaborated closely with Effitrax to thoroughly understand their specific needs and challenges. Our team, led by project coördinator Karel, conducted an in-depth analysis of the existing EffiCube system, focusing on hardware development, embedded software development, and cloud software architecture. This phase involved identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement, which were documented in a detailed technical due diligence dossier. This dossier was then presented to Effitrax’s investors, with our team supporting Effitrax in defending the proposed improvements and demonstrating the enhanced capabilities of EffiCube for large-scale deployment.
In the CREATE phase, we worked on refining the system’s architecture and implementing the identified improvements. Our hardware development team optimized the physical design of the EffiCube, ensuring it could handle increased data processing demands. Concurrently, our developers enhanced the embedded software to improve the device’s ability to interface with various onboard systems and transmit data more efficiently. The most critical work was done on the cloud software, where we re-engineered the code to significantly boost performance, enabling the platform to manage a vastly increased number of vehicles without compromising speed or reliability.
In the APPROVE phase, our New Product Introduction team made digital work instructions for assembly and testing later on.
Effitrax basically invented the blackbox for (heavy) vehicles. A product we’re very proud of as well, as we guided them in almost every phase, showing the strength of our complete end-to end product development services.
Karel (Project Manager)
During the BUILD phase, the enhancements were implemented and rigorously tested. Our team was responsible for the assembly and testing of the EffiCube, including the production of necessary cabling using our state-of-the-art KOMAX cable confection machines. We also developed a custom connector interface printboard to ensure seamless integration of all components. Extensive testing and validation processes were conducted to ensure the system met the new performance benchmarks. This included a comprehensive stress test simulating the demands of a 40,000-vehicle fleet, ensuring the product would operate flawlessly under real-world conditions.
In parallel, we didn’t lose sight of sustainability. Alberic developed eco-friendly packaging for EffiCube, utilizing recycled cardboard and minimizing plastic use, aligning with our commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Finally, during the CARE phase, we ensured that the EffiCube and its supporting systems were fully supported post-launch. This included ongoing maintenance and support services to ensure the platform continued to perform at its best as Effitrax expanded its market reach.
Thanks to these comprehensive efforts, Effitrax not only met its immediate goals but also positioned itself for future growth. After a successful collaboration, Effitrax chose Alberic as their go-to partner for future generations of products. You can’t imagine how proud we are!