Building SRM Coaching’s ERP: Streamlining Student Management with RFID and Laravel

Introduction

We are a leading provider of custom web and mobile development solutions. For SRM Coaching, a prominent educational institute, we developed a Laravel-based ERP system integrated with an Android mobile app to streamline day-to-day operations. By leveraging RFID technology for student scanning and data validation, our solution automates attendance tracking, enhances data accuracy, and improves operational efficiency. This case study highlights how our in-house expertise delivered a cost-effective, scalable ERP for SRM Coaching.

The Challenge

SRM Coaching faced significant challenges in managing student data and daily operations. Manual attendance tracking was time-consuming, prone to errors, and lacked real-time insights. Verifying student identities and records relied on paper-based or manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and delays. SRM Coaching needed an ERP system that could automate these tasks, validate student data accurately, and provide mobile access for staff. We were tasked with building a solution that integrates RFID scanning for student identification and streamlines operations while keeping development costs low.

The Solution

We developed a comprehensive ERP system for SRM Coaching, integrated with an Android mobile app, to address their operational needs:

• Laravel-Based ERP: A robust web platform built with Laravel, managing student records, attendance, schedules, and administrative tasks with a user-friendly dashboard.
• RFID Scanning: Integrated RFID technology to scan student ID cards, automating attendance tracking and validating student data in real-time.
• Android Mobile App: A native app built with Java, enabling staff to scan RFID tags, validate student identities, and access ERP data on the go.
• Data Validation: Ensures accurate student information by cross-referencing RFID scans with the ERP database, reducing errors and fraud.

By building the ERP and app in-house, we saved SRM Coaching thousands of euros compared to third-party solutions, delivering a tailored, scalable system.

Technical Approach

We leveraged modern technologies to ensure the ERP’s performance and reliability:

• Laravel Framework: Built the ERP using Laravel (PHP), leveraging its MVC architecture, Eloquent ORM, and Blade templating for a secure, scalable backend.
• RFID Integration: Integrated RFID readers via APIs to capture student ID data, syncing with the ERP database for real-time validation.
• Android App: Developed with Java and Android SDK, featuring RFID scanning capabilities using NFC-enabled devices and REST API integration with the ERP.
• Database Management: Utilized MySQL for efficient storage and retrieval of student data, ensuring fast queries and data integrity.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Hosted on AWS for scalability, supporting high volumes of RFID scans and user interactions with low latency.
• Security Compliance: Implemented Laravel’s security features (e.g., CSRF protection, encrypted data storage) to safeguard student information.

Our in-house development approach ensured full customization, eliminating reliance on costly third-party systems and saving significant costs for SRM Coaching.

Implementation

Using an agile methodology, our in-house team collaborated with SRM Coaching to design, develop, and test the ERP and Android app. Key challenges included integrating RFID hardware with the Laravel backend and ensuring seamless data validation across diverse student records. We addressed these through rigorous API testing, modular development, and iterative feedback from SRM Coaching staff. The Android app was optimized for NFC-enabled devices, while the ERP was tested for compatibility across browsers, ensuring a seamless experience for administrators and staff.

Results

The ERP system and Android app delivered significant impact for SRM Coaching:

• Cost Savings: We saved thousands of euros by developing the ERP and app in-house, reducing SRM Coaching’s dependency on third-party solutions.
• Improved Efficiency: RFID-based attendance tracking reduced manual processes by 50%, saving staff hours daily.
• Enhanced Data Accuracy: Real-time data validation via RFID scanning decreased errors in student records by 40%.
• Increased Staff Productivity: The Android app enabled mobile access, improving staff response times by 30% for attendance and data queries.
• Scalable Solution: The ERP supported SRM Coaching’s growing student base, streamlining operations across multiple branches.

Conclusion

We empowered SRM Coaching to streamline student management with a Laravel-based ERP and Android app integrated with RFID technology. By developing a cost-effective, scalable solution in-house, we automated attendance tracking, enhanced data accuracy, and boosted operational efficiency. This project highlights our expertise in delivering tailored web and mobile solutions that drive measurable value for educational institutions.