ValidationPortal – Internal IoT Support Suite & API Framework

ValidationPortal is a comprehensive internal suite and API framework developed at Eseye Ltd to support global IoT operations. It centralises SIM-level diagnostics, automates provisioning workflows, and provides real-time visibility into connectivity across multiple mobile network nodes and backend systems.

System / Platform Overview

• Centralised SIM-level diagnostics and operational tooling
• Automation of provisioning, OTA IMSI management, and connectivity validation
• Relied upon daily by customer support, engineering, operations, and network teams

Project Purpose & Vision

ValidationPortal was created to automate and homogenize operational tasks that previously required manual SQL queries and specialist knowledge. The platform’s goals included:

• Eliminating error-prone manual database queries
• Providing a unified interface for SIM provisioning and diagnostics
• Making complex technical operations accessible to non-technical teams
• Establishing a scalable foundation for IoT connectivity validation and observability

Architecture & Technical Scope

Core Capabilities

• SIM provisioning and lifecycle operations
• Bootstrap profile loading & OTA IMSI management
• Real-time connectivity validation against SGSNs and other network nodes
• Unified real-time and historical SIM-level diagnostics
• API framework for automation and system-to-system integrations

Key Integrations

• Tigrillo (SIM metadata and provisioning)
• Radius (APN authentication and accounting)
• Messaging systems (SMS, USSD, OTA)
• Audit and logging databases
• External APIs for network, billing, and device-level data

Technical Stack

• Extensive MySQL usage across multiple schemas
• Backend logic implemented in a central CGI service
• Operator-friendly web interface
• API endpoints for automation, reporting, and tooling
• Hosted on a dedicated Linux Virtual Machine (fully administered by me)

Customer SIM Detail / Single SIM Interface

A flagship component of ValidationPortal is the centralised SIM-level diagnostics interface, providing a single source of truth across numerous backend systems.

Key Features

• Flexible SIM lookup (ICCID, SIMID, EID, IP, IMSI-derived identifiers, hardware references)
• Intelligent input parsing and format detection
• Unified presentation of:
  • Connectivity state & session history
  • APN authentication and accounting
  • Messaging activity (SMS, USSD, OTA)
  • Voice and billing records
  • Network location & mobility data
  • Audit trails and historical events
• Contextual navigation to related reports, customer portfolios, and supporting tools

Data Quality & Provenance

• Fallback logic when data exists in multiple systems
• Clear indication of data source and reliability
• Normalised, consistent presentation of heterogeneous data

Responsibilities (Sole Developer & System Owner)

• Owned the entire project lifecycle from concept to deployment
• Designed and built backend, frontend, and API components
• Integrated multiple internal systems and databases
• Developed and maintained a large library of MySQL queries
• Implemented customer- and portal-level access controls
• Added productivity features such as favourite SIMs with stored notes
• Collaborated with support and operations teams to align workflows
• Managed the Linux Virtual Machine hosting the platform:
  • System updates and security hardening
  • Web server configuration and optimisation
  • Log management and monitoring
  • Ensured high availability and performance
• Continuously expanded the platform with new tools and automation

Impact Across the Business

Efficiency

• Removed the need for manual SQL queries
• Enabled non-technical staff to perform complex tasks safely
• Reduced mean time to resolution for SIM-related incidents

Reliability

• Improved consistency and accuracy of provisioning and validation
• Increased operational confidence through unified visibility

Scalability

• Supported large-scale migrations and global IoT deployments
• Provided a maintainable foundation for future observability

Decision-Making

• Delivered actionable insights via reports and API integrations
• Empowered finance, sales, customer success, and engineering teams

STAR Summary

Situation: Support teams relied on manual SQL queries to resolve SIM issues.

Task: Build a solution that automated these tasks and made them accessible across the business.

Action: Designed and built ValidationPortal, integrating multiple systems and managing the Linux VM hosting the platform.

Result: Transformed operational efficiency, reduced incident resolution times, and became a core tool across multiple departments.