Services
Eurotunnel Freight has become the vital link in many supply chains because their hourly capacity ensures traffic fluidity and the fastest possible transit time.
Gaining clarity
Eurotunnel Freight provides a so-called Vans on Passenger service, which allows van drivers to travel in their vehicles on the channel tunnel passenger trains. Drivers can book specific time slots and reserve a space in advance, have access to all Eurotunnel Passenger terminals and avoid peak traffic by using dedicated VP lanes.
On the freight side of the tunnel, drivers are able to see displays with directions on them, so they know whether to proceed onto the motorway or customs. However, on the passenger side, there are no such displays and directions are provided via SMS. While this works quite well, Eurotunnel felt that the driver’s experience could be improved even more and that the VP service could be better optimised.
As there is always a risk of human error, Eurotunnel Freight decided that a back-up solution was needed and hired digital agency GRM Digital to assist with a solution that would allow drivers to have a seamless experience using the VP service.
PWA as a new way to communicate
With the end user of the VP service being a van driver typically using a smartphone, a Progressive Web App, or PWA, seemed to be the most viable option.
A PWA is easily accessible and loads quickly on mobile devices, allowing the possibility for push notifications, even with limited connectivity. This proved to be a huge benefit for the Eurotunnel Freight service, where time is of the essence and drivers need accurate direction to ensure a flawless crossing.
Setting foundations for the future
With the progressive web application being a back-up solution initially, the development team at GRM Digital decided to develop it as a Cloudflare serverless application. In other words, the team developed a front-end application with no back end.
Whilst this gave limited options for modification of content within the App, it enabled a fast development turnaround so that Eurotunnel could test the service without excessive development or investment.
Once promoted to the primary way of communicating, the PWA will be expanded to include a back end where the Eurotunnel Freight team can modify and add content as and when they choose to.
Setting foundations for the future
With the progressive web application being a back-up solution initially, the development team at GRM Digital decided to develop it as a Cloudflare serverless application. In other words, the team developed a front-end application with no back end.
Whilst this gave limited options for modification of content within the App, it enabled a fast development turnaround so that Eurotunnel could test the service without excessive development or investment.
Once promoted to the primary way of communicating, the PWA will be expanded to include a back end where the Eurotunnel Freight team can modify and add content as and when they choose to.
Setting foundations for the future
With the progressive web application being a back-up solution initially, the development team at GRM Digital decided to develop it as a Cloudflare serverless application. In other words, the team developed a front-end application with no back end.
Whilst this gave limited options for modification of content within the App, it enabled a fast development turnaround so that Eurotunnel could test the service without excessive development or investment.
Once promoted to the primary way of communicating, the PWA will be expanded to include a back end where the Eurotunnel Freight team can modify and add content as and when they choose to.
GRM are a long time partner of the company of Eurotunnel Freight. These guys always provide us with all the reliability and efficiency that our business requires.
24%
Increase in homepage conversions for Eurotunnel Freight
24%
Increase in homepage conversions for Eurotunnel Freight
