Logistics · Systems integration and go-live
Connecting the systems behind international trade
My team owned the supplier master-data platform and the integrations connecting it with the ERP and a new Global Trade Management (GTM) platform. I worked with business and technical colleagues to prepare the transition, make the go/no-go decision and support the first days of operation.
Our part of the project
Another team led the functional implementation of the Global Trade Management (GTM) platform, including process definition, user training and organizational change. My team owned the platform holding supplier master data, as well as the integrations connecting that platform, the ERP and GTM. We participated as owners of a key system and of the interfaces linking the systems together.
The supplier information and integrations supported the movement of containers through a regional logistics network. We worked with the GTM implementation team on design, development, testing and preparation for go-live.
We designed the interfaces using message queues and microservices. Queues kept messages available for retry when they could not be processed and helped us see what was still pending. Microservices separated the flow into smaller steps, making it easier to locate errors and understand where processing had stopped. Those choices helped us support the integrations during the transition and afterwards.
Preparing together
The transition brought business users and technical teams together to validate the new flows. We agreed in advance on the criteria for the go/no-go decision: whether the testing, business sign-off and operational checks supported proceeding with the production transition. We also defined a fallback approach so we could return to the previous setup if the validations were not satisfactory.
During go-live, we worked in a joint command center with representatives from the business and the applications involved. I helped connect technical issues with their operational significance so we could decide what needed immediate attention and what could be handled with a temporary alternative.
The platform went live, and the teams worked through the remaining issues during the first week. Having the right people working together made it easier to understand problems and agree on the next step.