Smarter Logistics with AI: CargoCast’s Platform for Predictive Planning

In a logistics industry shaped by uncertainty, speed, and seasonal volatility, forecasting is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for staying competitive and cost-efficient. Without it, companies risk overcapacity, missed deliveries, or resource shortages that directly impact margins and customer satisfaction.

CargoCast, a German pioneer in AI-powered shipment prediction, recognized this early on. While their backend forecasting engine was already delivering accurate predictions, they lacked a powerful, user-centric platform to turn those insights into decisions. This wasn’t just a technical gap; it was a business priority: clients needed real-time, accessible tools to act on forecasts and manage their daily operations proactively. Without that bridge, the value of even the best data remained untapped.

To bring this vision to life, CargoCast partnered with LINKIT to build a scalable, interactive customer portal, designed not only to inform but to enable proactive coordination of regional transport planning. The result: a modular, intuitive platform built with Mendix that empowers dispatchers, planners, and managers with real-time visibility and actionable recommendations.

The challenge: from precise forecasts to controllable planning

CargoCast’s strength lay in its ability to make precise shipment forecasts, including loading space, weights, as well as delivery and pickup stops, up to four weeks in advance.

This technology was now to be used to develop an active control system for local transport vehicle planning based on demand forecasts, one that could automatically and proactively detect over- or undercapacity in the planned vehicle pool at an early stage. The goal was to not only warn users in time but also support them directly with the right planning tools to simulate countermeasures and make economically sound decisions.

“Technology alone is not enough,” explains Pascal Dietrich, CEO of CargoCast. “It only delivers real value when it is understandable, usable, and seamlessly integrated into daily workflows.” Until now, aligning forecast data with current vehicle availability and staff absences was entirely manual, error-prone, time-consuming, and often too slow for effective response.

Most importantly, there was a lack of direct connection to real-life fleet operations, which raises questions about which routes are at risk. Where are bottlenecks forming? And how many vehicles are missing? This is exactly where the new solution comes in. The opportunity was clear: to evolve from a pure forecasting provider into a platform for fleet coordination, interactive dashboards, and dynamic scheduling. A solution that unifies data, simplifies usage, and gives customers real control over their operational processes.

“Technology alone is not enough. It only delivers real value when it is understandable, usable, and seamlessly integrated into daily workflows.”

The approach: co-creation, click dummies & low-code agility

CargoCast didn’t need a traditional service provider, but a true partner, with technical expertise, strategic thinking, and an agile mindset. That’s exactly the role LINKIT took on. Selected for their deep Mendix expertise and pragmatic approach, the project began with a joint workshop to align on goals and technology. What started as a dashboard upgrade quickly evolved into a complete platform rebuild.

“It became clear early on: this wasn’t just about improving the UI, it was about building a scalable foundation for the future,” says Lando Schebsdat, COO at LINKITSYSTEMS.

The team faced several technical challenges:

• Developing a flexible data model for CargoCast’s dynamic planning logic
• Integrating forecast data from the MySQL backend via REST APIs
• Visualizing heatmaps with OpenStreetMap under high-performance requirements
• Mapping complex planning logic, including vehicle availability, subcontractors, and personnel absences

“The planning logic was far more dynamic than expected. Weekly availabilities, unplanned absences, and regional specifics required a flexible architecture. Mendix gave us the adaptability we needed.”

To ensure smooth development, LINKIT introduced short pre-sprint workshops with interactive click dummies. This allowed functionalities to be reviewed before implementation and helped avoid misunderstandings early on.

“The planning logic was far more dynamic than expected,” recalls Deeksha Pothirajan, Mendix developer at LINKIT. “Weekly availabilities, unplanned absences, and regional specifics required a flexible architecture. Mendix gave us the adaptability we needed.”

UX/UI was treated as a joint effort: LINKIT provided design guidelines and templates, while CargoCast made significant contributions based on their deep understanding of end users. The result: an intuitive interface that enables quick decisions and offers clear transparency.

The result: a platform that turns data into action

The new platform fundamentally changes the way CargoCast and its customers operate. Instead of fragmented tools and manual processes, users now rely on a centralized dashboard that delivers forecasts, availabilities, and concrete recommendations—in real time. Key features include:

• Dynamic heatmaps to detect capacity bottlenecks at a regional level
• Integration of vehicle and personnel planning, including subcontractors and vacation management
• Clear role separation between internal planning and external customer views

“The biggest win was turning complexity into clarity,” says Pothirajan. “The heatmap alone gives planners immediate oversight and confidence in their decisions.”

The agile, iterative approach paid off. Despite multiple architecture adjustments and a temporary project pause, the team stayed within time and budget and delivered not just a functioning product but a sustainable foundation.

“What used to require ten developers, we achieved with a lean team,” says Dietrich. “Thanks to Mendix and LINKIT.”

CargoCast was able to take over the platform independently after project completion. Following training and knowledge transfer from LINKIT, their internal team is now capable of implementing future enhancements on their own.

“What used to require ten developers, we achieved with a lean team. Thanks to Mendix and LINKIT.”

The future: a strategic foundation for growth & innovation

The platform is far more than a technical upgrade; it’s a driver of growth. Thanks to its modular architecture, new features can be integrated quickly, enabling access to new customer segments. Through a licensing model, functionalities can be added individually, offering greater flexibility and shorter time-to-value. Planned extensions include:

• Automated integration with route optimization systems
• A community module for data exchange between logistics partners
• Advanced scenario simulation for strategic planning

“We no longer just deliver forecasts, we deliver foresight and control,” says Dietrich. “The platform gives us the agility we need to innovate faster and respond precisely to customer needs.”

And LINKIT? They remain a strategic partner: “This project showed what’s possible when business vision meets low-code speed,” says Schebsdat.

Conclusion: from reactive to proactive logistics

The CargoCast case study shows that digital transformation is more than just technology; it enables new, smarter ways of working. Thanks to scalable architecture, agile collaboration, and Mendix low-code technology, LINKIT helped CargoCast shift from isolated tools to a seamlessly integrated planning platform.

For logistics companies grappling with complexity, the message is clear: With the right partner and the right approach, uncertainty can be transformed into a future you can plan for.