Client Overview
A mid-sized automotive service chain in Melbourne, Australia, approached us to build a Garage Management System (GMS). They manage thousands of vehicles, multiple customer relationships, and service histories across branches. Their old workflow relied on desktop-based legacy software + spreadsheets, which became a bottleneck as they expanded.
The Challenge
Key issues with their previous system:
Data fragmentation: Vehicle records were scattered across spreadsheets and local systems, resulting in duplication and errors.
Scalability bottleneck: Their system couldn’t handle multi-branch operations or high transaction volume.
Slow workflows: Service check-ins took ~6–7 minutes per customer because staff had to jump between tools.
Poor UX: The Outdated interface made adoption difficult for new employees.
The client needed a scalable, web-based platform that could unify operations, support growth, and deliver a modern user experience.
Why We Chose React + NestJS + PostgreSQL
We evaluated multiple options and made intentional technology choices:
Frontend: React.js
Mature ecosystem, excellent for building component-driven UIs.
React’s component-driven architecture enabled us to build reusable UI elements, which significantly reduced development time and ensured consistency across the application.
React Query for efficient API calls and caching.
Backend: NestJS
Chosen over Express due to its modular architecture, TypeScript-first approach, and built-in support for scalable enterprise apps.
Allowed us to organize business logic into domain-driven modules (customers, vehicles, services, appointments).
Provided clean support for both REST and GraphQL APIs for integration flexibility.
Database: PostgreSQL
A strong relational model is ideal for customer-vehicle relationships and service histories.
Advanced indexing (GIN/B-tree) enabled sub-100ms queries even on thousands of records.
Native support for complex reporting and analytics without needing a separate OLAP database.
Ensured ACID compliance for transactions like booking appointments and updating service logs.
The Solution
We built a full-stack Garage Management System with the following core modules:
Vehicle Management
Centralized records for vehicles (VIN, registration, service logs).
Indexed search across thousands of vehicles and service histories.
Customer Database
Unified customer profiles linked directly to their vehicles and service history.
GDPR-compliant data storage with encryption at rest and in transit.
Appointment Scheduling
An intuitive system with a calendar view, allowing staff to quickly create, update, and manage bookings.
Built-in validations to prevent double bookings and ensure accurate service allocation.
Role-Based Dashboards
Separate interfaces for mechanics, admins, and front-desk staff.
JWT + Passport strategies for secure role-based access.
Integration Layer
REST APIs for future integration with inventory management and accounting systems.
Swagger-based API documentation for internal use.
The Results
The new system delivered measurable improvements:
Service check-in time reduced from ~7 minutes → ~2 minutes (thanks to unified data access).
Search queries for vehicles/customers executed in under 100ms after PostgreSQL indexing.
Operational efficiency improved by ~35%, as reported by staff surveys.
Multi-branch support is enabled, allowing the client to expand operations without new tech investment.
Why Work With Us
Unlike typical vendors who “just code,” we bring 6+ years of React expertise + backend depth in NestJS and PostgreSQL. Our approach is deliberate: we pick the right tech stack for scalability, maintainability, and speed — not just what’s trendy.
If your business is stuck with legacy systems or inefficient workflows, we can build a modern, scalable, React + NestJS + PostgreSQL platform tailored to your needs.
