Building NTX Limo - Real-Time Dispatch System

The Challenge

NTX Limo needed a dispatch system that could handle real-time bookings, driver status updates, and provide instant notifications to dispatchers. The system had to be fast, reliable, and work seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices.

Choosing the Tech Stack

I decided on Next.js + TypeScript for the frontend, which gave me type safety and excellent performance. For the backend and real-time features, I chose Supabase, which provided authentication and real-time database subscriptions out of the box.

Building the Core Features

The first major component was the authentication system. I integrated Supabase auth to handle dispatcher logins securely. Then I built the real-time subscription system so dispatchers could see new bookings and driver statuses instantly without refreshing the page.

Custom Components

I designed a dark, modern interface using Tailwind-style utility classes. The map view was particularly challenging - I needed to show all active bookings and driver locations in real-time. I built custom components for booking cards that displayed all relevant information at a glance.

The driver list component needed to show current status, location, and assigned bookings. I made it update automatically as drivers moved or changed status.

Mobile Alerts

One of the most important features was the mobile alert system. I integrated sound and vibration alerts for new bookings so dispatchers wouldn't miss critical requests even when away from their desk. This required careful handling of browser permissions and notification APIs.

Architecture Decisions

I organized the codebase with a clear structure: /app for routes, /components for reusable UI elements, /lib for utilities, and /stores for state management. This made the codebase scalable and easy to maintain as features grew.

Launch

After extensive testing with real dispatchers and drivers, the system went live. The real-time updates and mobile alerts transformed how the team managed bookings, significantly improving response times and efficiency.