eContracting solution for Daimler Mercedes-Benz

Introduction

Mercedes-Benz has revolutionized the car loan and lease processing landscape with the launch of their eContracting solution. This innovative project introduces the first end-to-end digital contracting system, completely digitizing the entire contract process. From offering a comprehensive car finance calculator to providing essential documentation and performing back-office checks, the eContracting solution enables clients to receive their final digital contract within minutes. Daimler’s cutting-edge technology transforms a process that previously took days into one that can be completed with just a few clicks. Customers can now check their finance eligibility and process loans online within minutes, eliminating the need to visit a physical bank.

Problem

Manual car loan/lease processing and lengthy car purchase contracts were cumbersome and time-consuming for both customers and dealers. The traditional process required multiple steps, including physical visits to banks and dealerships, manual form filling, and extensive back-office checks, often taking several days to finalize. Customers faced inconvenience and delays, while dealers had to handle a significant administrative burden. There was a clear need for a streamlined, digital solution to expedite the contract process, enhance customer experience, and improve operational efficiency for dealers. The eContracting solution addresses these issues by digitizing the entire process, leveraging technologies like optical character recognition (OCR) and secure OTP validation to facilitate a seamless, quick, and user-friendly contracting experience.

Solution

To address the challenges associated with manual car loan/lease processing and lengthy car purchase contracts, we developed a comprehensive .NET microservice project and deployed it on Microsoft Azure. This solution leverages the power of cloud computing to deliver a robust, scalable, and efficient digital contracting system.

Microservices Architecture:

The project utilizes a microservices architecture, with each microservice designed to handle specific functionalities. This ensures modularity, scalability, and ease of maintenance. Each microservice is API-driven, allowing seamless communication and integration between different components of the system.

Azure Deployment:

The entire solution is deployed on Azure, taking advantage of its reliable cloud infrastructure for high availability and scalability. Each microservice has its own separate database, managed through Azure SQL, ensuring data isolation and improved performance.

Backend Development:

Developed using .NET Core 2.2, the backend services are designed for high performance and reliability. Entity Framework Core is used for data access, providing a robust and efficient ORM for interacting with Azure SQL databases. Extensive unit tests were developed using MSTest to ensure code quality and functionality.

Front-end Development:

The frontend is built using Angular 6, delivering a responsive and intuitive user interface for both customers and sales associates. The frontend seamlessly integrates with backend services through well-defined APIs, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Process

To ensure the successful development and deployment of the eContracting solution, we adhered to a robust and structured process framework. Our approach was grounded in Agile methodology, specifically utilizing the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®), which enabled us to manage complexity and deliver high-quality results efficiently.

Agile Methodology:

We adopted Agile principles to foster flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle. This approach allowed us to respond to changing requirements and deliver incremental value to stakeholders.

Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®):

SAFe® provided a comprehensive framework to scale Agile practices across multiple teams and ensure alignment with business goals. It facilitated coordination among various teams working on different microservices, ensuring consistency and integration across the entire system.

Scrum Ceremonies:

👉 Sprint Planning: At the beginning of each sprint, we conducted sprint planning sessions to define goals, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources effectively.
👉 Daily Stand-Ups: Daily stand-up meetings were held to provide team members with an opportunity to share updates, discuss challenges, and coordinate efforts.
👉 Sprint Reviews: At the end of each sprint, sprint reviews were conducted to demonstrate completed work to stakeholders and gather feedback.
👉 Sprint Retrospectives: Retrospective meetings were held to reflect on the sprint process, identify areas for improvement, and implement actionable insights for future sprints.

Collaboration and Communication:

Strong collaboration among cross-functional teams was emphasized to ensure alignment and transparency. Regular communication with stakeholders helped in understanding requirements, managing expectations, and delivering a solution that met business needs.

Quality Assurance and Testing

👉 A comprehensive testing strategy, including unit tests using MSTest, was implemented to ensure the reliability and performance of the system.
👉 Automated and manual testing processes were integrated into the development pipeline to maintain high standards of quality.

Front-end Development:

Key Functionalities

Online Loan Application:

Customers can check their finance eligibility and process loans within minutes using an online application, without needing to visit a bank.

Digital Point-of-Sales Application:

Sales associates at car dealerships use a digital point-of-sales application to scan customer ID cards, with OCR technology automatically updating the application with retrieved information.

Document Upload and Contract Creation:

Dealers can upload required documentation and digitally trigger contract creation. Customers receive a secure message on their smartphones to validate terms and digitally sign the contract using 'click to sign' technology.

Automated Back-Office Processes:

Once the contract is signed, the system triggers automated processes such as contract activation and setting up regular monthly payments from the customer's bank account. By leveraging the latest technologies and cloud infrastructure, the eContracting solution drastically reduces the time required for contract processing, enhances customer convenience, and improves operational efficiency for Mercedes-Benz dealerships

Responsibilities

Backend Development:

Designed, developed, and maintained backend services using .NET Core 2.2. Implemented RESTful APIs for seamless integration with frontend applications. Optimized performance and scalability of backend systems.

Unit Testing:

Developed and maintained unit tests using MSTest to ensure code quality and reliability. Achieved high code coverage and contributed to the reduction of bugs and issues in production.

Technical Leadership:

Participated in and led technical discussions to identify optimal solutions and best practices. Guided junior team members, providing mentorship and support to enhance their skills and performance. Conducted thorough code reviews, ensuring adherence to coding standards and improving overall code quality.

Collaboration:

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align backend services with project requirements and timelines. Communicated effectively with stakeholders to understand project goals and deliver robust solutions.

Achievements:

Successfully delivered backend solutions that significantly improved system performance and reliability. Fostered a collaborative team environment, leading to enhanced productivity and knowledge sharing.