meijer.works

GoWion

GoWion was a specialized workflow and geospatial management platform that I founded and single-handedly developed. Designed to help pipeline managers comply with Dutch WION law, it streamlined processes around Klic Meldingen and became a trusted tool for clients like Vermilion Oil and Gas, Zeeland Refinery, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Sara Lee, and others.

GoWion's success and innovative approach later led to its evolution into Clearly.app, a platform widely used by Dutch municipalities for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Challenge

Pipeline managers in the Netherlands faced unique challenges under WION compliance:

  • Efficiently managing Klic Meldingen (excavation notifications) and ensuring legal compliance.
  • Coordinating tasks while maintaining traceability for audits.
  • Visualizing excavation areas and affected zones to enable better planning and communication.

GoWion needed to address these pain points with a user-friendly platform tailored to WION requirements.

Solution

As both the founder and sole engineer, I built GoWion to be a comprehensive solution for WION compliance:

  • Workflow Automation: Streamlined processes around the lifecycle of a Klic Melding, ensuring every step was tracked and legally compliant.
  • Geospatial Visualization: Integrated map components provided a clear overview of excavation areas and affected zones, simplifying planning and task coordination.
  • Task Tracking and Traceability: Each notification, action, and response was logged, making compliance audits seamless.
  • Field Operability: Mobile-friendly features allowed teams to access and update workflows while on-site, breaking the reliance on office-based systems.

The platform was built on a C# .NET backend, providing the scalability and reliability required for enterprise clients.

Results

GoWion quickly gained adoption among major organizations, including:

  • Vermilion Oil and Gas, Zeeland Refinery, and Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
  • Delivered full compliance with WION law by simplifying the management of Klic Meldingen.
  • Offered geospatial insights that improved planning and coordination for excavation projects.
  • Enhanced traceability and accountability, reducing errors and ensuring smooth audits.

Lessons Learned

  1. Founding and Engineering a Product: Developing GoWion from idea to product validated my ability to identify industry needs and deliver effective solutions independently.
  2. Customer-Centric Development: Direct engagement with high-profile clients highlighted the importance of tailoring features to meet user-specific requirements.
  3. The Power of Specialized Tools: Building a product focused on a specific legal and operational niche ensured immediate and lasting value for users.

Conclusion

GoWion was a pioneering tool in WION compliance, providing pipeline managers with workflows and geospatial insights tailored to their unique needs. Its success eventually paved the way for its rebranding and evolution into Clearly.app, demonstrating the long-term value of a product built with focus and precision.