JD Transport: replacing legacy Access with a modern logistics and haulage platform

JD Transport is a logistics and haulage firm that modernized core operations by replacing a legacy Microsoft Access process with a secure web platform.

The new system focused on transport planning, truck load management, and invoicing with stronger controls, better visibility, and scalable architecture.

Overview

A full platform transformation to support daily transport operations and financial workflows.

Core modernization goals

The previous Access database was password-protected, difficult to maintain, and not upgradeable. To modernize safely, legacy data structures and workflow logic were reverse engineered and rebuilt into a secure, scalable web application.

  • Transport planning
  • Truck load management
  • Invoicing and financial workflow support

Business Challenge

Legacy tooling constrained collaboration, scalability, and integration.

Legacy constraints and risk exposure

Legacy constraints

  • Core operations relied on a legacy Microsoft Access database
  • The Access file was password-protected and effectively locked from safe upgrade
  • Planning, load tracking, and invoicing were constrained by desktop tooling
  • Multi-user collaboration and modern service integration were limited

Risks if unchanged

  • Growing operational risk from legacy tooling
  • Limited ability to scale daily transport volumes
  • Weak foundation for future automation and integration
  • Slower invoicing turnaround and reporting bottlenecks

Solution Delivered

A secure .NET 6 platform became the core system for operations and invoicing.

Delivery approach

The application now supports day-to-day transport scheduling, load creation and tracking, and both sales and purchase invoice processing with export-ready finance data.

  • Reverse engineered the legacy Access schema and business rules
  • Rebuilt the data model in SQL Server
  • Implemented a .NET 6 web application with secure access control
  • Enabled reporting, document generation, and integration workflows

Technology Stack

A modern Microsoft-aligned stack for maintainability and growth.

Platform architecture

Backend and web

  • ASP.NET Core (.NET 6)
  • Razor Pages and API Controllers

Data and domain

  • Entity Framework Core
  • SQL Server
  • AutoMapper

Security and identity

  • ASP.NET Core Identity
  • Azure Identity
  • Microsoft Graph

Reporting and deployment

  • DevExpress Reporting
  • Docker-ready cloud-hosted deployment model

Key Integrations

Integrated workflows improved communication, reporting, and finance handoff.

Operational and finance integration points

Microsoft Graph

Automated email distribution for operational and customer communication workflows, including report and document delivery.

DevExpress Reporting

PDF-based operational and financial reports with standardized outputs for planning and invoice support.

Sage-aligned export process

Structured invoice export data improved accounting handoff and reconciliation readiness.

Azure SQL database

A centralized and resilient cloud data platform provided stronger concurrency and reliability than desktop-file storage.

Business Outcomes

Operational, security, and technical improvements were delivered together.

Measured impact areas

Operational benefits

  • Centralized system for transport planning and load lifecycle management
  • Improved visibility of truck loads and delivery progress
  • Faster and more consistent invoicing workflows
  • Reduced manual effort and spreadsheet/file dependency

Security and control benefits

  • Modern login and authorization controls
  • Elimination of shared-password legacy file access patterns
  • Better governance around application and user access

Technical benefits

  • Maintainable domain-driven data model replacing legacy Access structures
  • Stronger long-term supportability and faster change velocity
  • Integration-ready architecture for future partner and customer workflows

Scalability and Future Readiness

The platform is positioned for long-term operational growth.

Growth enablers now in place

  • Scalable cloud-hosted SQL data architecture
  • Better support for concurrent operational users
  • Extensible services for future integrations and automation
  • A modern .NET codebase ready for continued enhancement

JD Transport successfully transitioned from a constrained, unupgradeable Microsoft Access solution to a secure, scalable, and integration-ready web platform for transport planning, truck load management, and invoicing.

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