A New Standard for the Logistics Industry

For many stevedores and stevedoring companies, daily operations were still handled entirely by hand. Some relied on pen and paper, while others worked with Excel files that had to be constantly updated and checked. This approach was not only error-prone but also extremely time-consuming. Tracking staffing, planning, and performance took far more time than necessary.

Albert, co-founder of Docklay, put it well:

“You notice that many companies still work with Excel or even paper. Not because they don’t want to modernize, but because there simply wasn’t a solution that truly fit the way we work.”

There was also no real-time visibility. Planners had to piece together information from multiple files, stevedores had no direct overview of their tasks, and important data was scattered across documents and spreadsheets. This often resulted in delays, miscommunication, and costly mistakes, for both customers and the stevedores themselves.

This way of working had held the sector back for years. Docklay saw a clear opportunity: to digitalize, automate, and centralize everything that was still done in Excel, or even on paper, into one platform that brings speed, clarity, and reliability back into everyday operations.

At the start of the project, a first version of a system that Docklay had previously developed was already in place. This became our starting point. We began by analysing that foundation: how the workflows were structured, where the bottlenecks were, and which parts didn’t yet align with real-world practice.

“That first version gave us a clear picture of where Docklay wanted to go, but also where the chaos was,” Sefa explained.

From there, we refined the structure and implemented a series of optimisations. Every step was aligned closely with Ali and Albert to ensure that decisions weren’t just technically correct, but, more importantly, worked in practice for stevedores and planners.

Throughout the process, we also encountered challenges, such as outdated workflows that were difficult to translate into a digital environment or requirements that had not yet been fully defined. By actively thinking along, testing scenarios, and iterating quickly, we were able to turn these challenges into concrete solutions.

This close collaboration laid the groundwork for a solid, future-proof foundation that Docklay can continue to build on as the platform evolves.

We developed a platform that digitalizes all daily processes for stevedores and stevedoring companies, bringing everything together in one central environment. Instead of relying on Excel, paper, and scattered communication, teams now have a system that aligns seamlessly with their workflow.

For planners, this means tasks, teams, and shifts can be assigned easily and accurately, while performance data is automatically linked to the correct employee, customer, and job. This eliminates manual errors and makes invoicing faster and far more reliable.

For the stevedores themselves, we introduced a major step forward: a mobile app that provides real-time insight into their tasks, hours worked, and performance. No more waiting for updates or searching through documents, everything is clearly accessible on their phone. This makes it easier for them to see where they need to be, what is expected of them, and how they’ve performed.

The platform also includes complete employee profiles, where availability, documents, and individual deployment can be centrally managed. This ensures transparent communication and reduces misunderstandings on the floor.

Docklay brings all previously fragmented and time-consuming processes together in one piece of smart logistics software, making the workday for both planners and stevedores simpler, faster, and far more organized.

The transition to the new platform delivered immediate, visible results. Processes that were once manual, error-prone, and time-consuming are now streamlined and fully digital. Planners have real-time visibility into what’s happening on the floor and can assign shifts, check performance, and prepare invoicing with a single click; something that, according to Albert, “makes a world of difference, because we no longer have to wait for information hidden somewhere in an Excel file. Now everything is exactly where it should be.”

For stevedores, the change is just as significant. Thanks to the mobile app, they now have instant insight into their tasks, working hours, and performance. Where they once relied on paper lists and scattered phone calls, everything is now clearly organized on their phone. Ali, co-founder of Docklay, sees how much calmer and clearer the work has become:

“Stevedores now know exactly where they stand. It gives them confidence and eliminates so much noise.”

As a designer, Ali also sees firsthand how well-considered design directly impacts the work:

“When something feels logical, you don’t need to explain it. That’s exactly what we achieved here. The app fits so naturally with how stevedores work that adoption almost happened by itself. You see it immediately: fewer questions, fewer mistakes, more clarity.”

The platform also has a strong financial impact. Because performance data is automatically linked to the right employee, customer, and cost center, invoicing is faster and far less error-prone. This gives Docklay, and their customers, more control over costs, planning, and productivity.

But perhaps most important for Docklay is the reaction from the people on the floor. Albert sees it every day:

“The guys on the floor are genuinely happy with it. They say it’s finally a way of working that’s simple and not unnecessarily complicated.”

The result is a modern, scalable platform that elevates daily operations to a higher level. No more scattered information, no more time lost to manual updates, just a system that works logically, quickly, and reliably for everyone, both on the floor and in the office.