DHTMLX is mainly known across web dev communities for JavaScript UI components used in modern business apps. But our portfolio also includes some lesser-known, yet helpful solutions for effective software development. For instance, there is DHTMLX Scheduler.NET that can be used to add an Outlook-like event calendar to ASP.NET apps. And today we are talking to Predrag Okiljevic, the software engineer from Global Engineer Technologies LLC, who’ll share with us the details of using our Scheduler.NET in a web project focused on logistics services.
Could you tell us about your project, your role in it, and how DHTMLX Scheduler fits in?
Global Engineering Technologies (GET) LLC is a Serbian software engineering company with a staff of 280 employees. Most of our specialists are engineers who program in various languages (C#, Java, etc.). We work across several domains, including logistics, banking, pharmacy, and the automotive industry. I work as a software developer in the logistics domain. We use your Scheduler solution in our transport gate and yard management system.
You’ve been working with DHTMLX Scheduler.NET for 5-6 years, right? What made you choose our solution?
When I joined the company in 2017, your Scheduler was already part of the technology stack. We use this tool to schedule and monitor approximately 2,039 gates at a yard facility. Our users (carriers) need to schedule transport for the right gate at the right time. In the Scheduler UI, gate numbers are displayed in columns, while time frames rows are shown in rows. The calendar helps users see what transport is arriving at which gate.
What are your favorite Scheduler features?
I’d point out the export to Excel and PDF formats. This feature is used regularly for reporting purposes. Scheduler data is exported to PDF or Excel files and then imported into tools from other vendors. In this way, we integrate the Scheduler with other systems.
DHTMLX Scheduler.Net for GET
Do you have any issues with the Scheduler?
We sometimes receive requests from users to display too much information on the calendar, and that can be a challenge. It’s similar to Google Calendar, when you have a small time slot and try to show too many details. Users prefer not to click multiple times to access the necessary information. One possible solution is to use tooltips, but that can get tricky if you need to load and display tooltips for 1,000 events. So, it’s a complex issue, but we’re actively working on it.
Does Scheduler.NET lack any features that you would like to add to the scheduling functionality in your project?
At the moment, nothing comes to mind. But if I get any noteworthy requests from our users, I will certainly let you know. By the way, it is nice to know that you ask for such feedback and care about the needs of your customers; we take the same approach with our users.
The only thing that I want to mention is that we are considering migrating to a React frontend in the near future. As far as I understand from the documentation, your Scheduler supports React, is that correct?
Yes, our Scheduler.NET can be integrated with React. Moreover, our team is finalizing preparations for the launch of DHTMLX React Scheduler. But anyway, we’ll ask our dev team to provide you with more details on the matter.
You use our Scheduler.NET in logistics. In your opinion, in which industries could this functionality also be in demand?
Actually, we developed a similar internal, calendar-like tool for our company’s HR department. So, I believe HR specialists can also benefit from a scheduling calendar, using it to conveniently manage meetings, interviews, and other activities.
Which frontend and backend technologies were used to build your project along with DHTMLX Scheduler?
On the frontend, we do not use any dedicated framework, but rather standard web technologies (vanilla JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5) and some libraries like jQuery and Bootstrap (for styling). On the backend, our application is written in C# and ASP.NET Core.
Thank you, Predrag, for this insightful interview, and good luck to you in future endeavours!
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