Type: Mobile App

The Back story 

Our appearance has a significant impact on how we feel about ourselves, our confidence, and our actions. At the same time, thinning hair is a broad issue, affecting 50% of men and women, leaving them with low self-esteem. Nioxin, a Coty Inc. sub-brand, effectively solves the problem of thinning hair by applying its 25 years of heritage and dedicated research. 

It all started when Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director at Coty Inc., sent us an e-mail. 

“Hi The APP Solutions, 

I’m looking for a team that will develop a consultation web and mobile app for hairstylists and everyone with thinning hair concerns so that people can receive more personalized treatment with Nioxin products. 

Currently, I’m in Geneva, Switzerland, but I can come over to Kyiv to discuss our project in more detail.“

Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director at Coty Inc.

Once Romolo arrived at our office, we started to dwell on the project’s goals and objectives and shaped the project vision.

How Nioxin Consultation Works 

Nioxin, one of Coty Inc.’s brands, is a market leader for professional salon products in over 40 countries around the world. The Nioxin Consultation mobile app aims to help professional stylists suggest to clients proper hair care, making the client’s hair thicker and fuller-looking without side effects so they can thrive with newfound confidence. 

To find out about the client’s hair care needs, the app analyses the client’s scalp and identifies the three signs of hair thinning (Derma, Density, and Diameter), each with innovative skincare-inspired technologies to address scalp and hair needs and deliver thicker fuller hair. 

Then, the Nioxin application delivers a complete program with personalized hair care products for a tailored treatment that works. 

The app also includes quick links to NIOXIN’s market-specific websites and salon finder.

Client’s requirements 

The client already had a design for his app and wanted us to do the following: 

• Create a web plugin and mobile app for both iOS and Android for professional stylists and their clients with thinning hair 
• Integrate a scalp and hair analytic tool and suggest personalized treatment programs depending on the client’s hair condition.
• Set up the logic throughout the mobile apps and web plugin backend to provide a quality consultancy test.

Project Goals and Objectives 

Our main goal for the Nioxin Consultation app was to suggest relevant products to clients and improve their hair condition. We needed to develop an intuitive mobile application and web plugin for salon professionals, empowered with a product recommendation algorithm that could be used not only in salons but also at home. 

Our challenges

Comprehensive architecture. The main problem was to set up the logic that would connect two mobile applications on different platforms with the server. In addition, we also needed to build a web plugin backend that would deliver relevant product recommendations. 

Tight deadlines. At the very beginning of the project, our main priority was to build the product’s architecture from the ground. In this way, we streamlined the project’s production in order to meet the deadlines. 

How we did it 

The client came to us with a ready-made UI/UX design for all app screens and very detailed technical documentation, so he required us to do the coding part.

For this project, we applied Scrum methodology since the project had particular tasks to be done, as well as estimated time and budget. 

• We started the project development by estimating the time developers would require for one or another feature. Then, we broke down all elements and evaluated time in iterations, two weeks, during which we would implement the project functionality. 
• At the end of each iteration, we ran a demonstration session to show the client our progress and receive timely feedback. Our team also had to send weekly reports to the client with a list of tasks done. 
• Having assessed the requirements of the project, our team worked on building the proper project architecture first, followed by mobile apps and web plugin development, alongside the project’s backend.
• After we implemented all functions for the first app release, we did a final demo with the client, received feedback, and implemented the required changes. 
• Thanks to detailed documentation, clear client requirements, and skillful mobile developers, we managed to deliver the project on time. 
• The development began around the middle of May, and the first project was released on August 1, so it took us less than three months from start to finish.

Interesting Features We Implemented

Client profile

The app enables saving client details in personal profiles, identifying hair characteristics, and adding DERMA and DENSITY photos. In this way, hairdressers can produce a seamless salon experience and have instant access to all client profiles registered to their salon.

Salon Management

Salon chain owners track the performance of their staff and clients’ hair improvement over time via built-in statistics. Whether it’s one location or multiple, salon owners have access to statistics of how their employees performed in regards to recommending a Nioxin hair care product.

Consultation Tool

Nioxin’s mobile apps, as well as a web plugin, include test-based recommendations of Nioxin hair care products that would be most fitting for the given client’s hair type. To identify the client’s hair condition, the app offers a short questionnaire and saves answers to keep track of the client’s progress.

Our tech stack 

• HTML for web-based application
• Swift SDK for iPads and iOS mobile devices 
• Android SDK for Android-powered devices 
• Rest API 
• Google Analytics 
• Cocoa Pods
• Dagger 2
• RxJava 
• Retrofit 
• Realm 
• Butter Knife 
• Crashlytics 

Team composition

• 2 iOS developers
• 2 Android mobile developers
• 2 Quality Assurance engineers
• 1 Backend developer
• 1 HTML developer
• 1 Designer
• 1 Project Manager 

Results

Nioxin Consultation Tool was an exciting and challenging project to create. It required a lot of proactive thinking and methods that, in the end, helped to fit into the deadlines without compromising quality. Currently, we are implementing more features and adding a multi-language feature to make the app available for new markets. 

Check out our app at Google Play and App Store. 

Client’s testimonial 

“It’s a real pleasure to work with The APP Solutions because it never feels like a client/supplier relationship. In essence, it’s a true collaboration aimed at delivering the best possible experience to our users, on time and within budget.”

Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director | Coty Inc.

The backstory

London is not only the capital of England, as we all know, but also a capital of fashion & luxury business that attracts millennial millionaires, fashion designers, and brands.

Once we got an email from Matthew, our client, who was inspired by our blog post about taxi-hailing mobile app development.

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“Hi The APP Solutions team,
I have both an exciting and challenging project for you.
Can you develop a taxi booking app for the luxury segment?
Keep in mind that here, in London, the app will be promoted by fashion influences, like Virgil Abloh, the artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear”.

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We were more than excited about such an opportunity.

Client Requirements

After we contacted Matthew, we clarified more details about the project.

HYPR is a-first-of-its-kind supercar booking taxi app that works on the subscription basis in the London area. Its vehicle fleet includes Rolls Royce, Gelentwagen, Lamborghini, and other supercars, popular among wealthy millennials who prefer to rent cars than buy them.

Matthew already had several screens of his mobile app design, so he was looking for a development team that would build the code part for four standalone products, as well as back-end logic and stable infrastructure.

He also emphasized the limited time frames. We had only four months to develop the app’s MVP so that the client could show it to the commission of Transport for London(TFL). It was quite challenging to book an appointment in TFL, which is possible only every 6 months. We had to demonstrate the product and receive certification, so knowing the strict deadlines, we had no room for mistakes.

Project Goals and Objectives

• We needed to create a luxury taxi-hailing app that gives users the feeling of belonging to a closed community of VIPs. The concept of private membership clubs is pretty common in the UK.
• The app should operate on a subscription basis. Thus, every potential member should be verified by the Admin.
• We needed to build four distinct products, such as a subscription website, an Admin panel, driver and passenger apps, equally useful for all participants.
• We also needed to make the apps compliant with the Technical Solution Requirements of Transport for London.
• Find appropriate payment gateway for Subscription website and a develop custom price calculation algorithm

Our challenges

During the development phase, we faced the following challenges:

• UI/UX design. Since it’s a luxury product, our team had to make the UX very smooth and user friendly.
• Detailed documentation. Due to tight deadlines, our developers needed to develop a clear code without bugs from the first attempt. Thus, we needed to create super-detailed technical documentation and determine all possible user stories and scenarios beforehand.
• TFL compliance. Our technical documentation had to be compliant with the Transport for London Technical Solution Demonstration Guidance and Technical Documentation Guidance for PHO Applicants. Transport of London pays extra attention to features connected with lost and found property, complaints and compliments, vehicle details, bookings records, and private hire drivers.
• Four products at once. Apart from creating the Admin panel and Subscription website, we needed to develop fully-fledged mobile applications for Drivers and Passengers with geolocation, personal profile, estimated pickup time, optimize the road to avoid traffic jams, and make both apps work simultaneously.
• Price aggregation algorithm. We needed to create a custom price generation algorithm that would generate the ride price by analyzing multiple factors. The algorithm determines the ride price by combining the car’s rate, driver’s location, the amount of time the driver waits for the passenger, the passenger’s desire to extend the ride, ride length, and so on. In the case of the driver’s location being too far away from the passenger, we needed to develop functionality that would offer similar cars nearby and calculate the ride’s cost.
• Money refund logic. Since the app is targeted at the luxury segment, the first project release must work without bugs. At the same time, we faced issues with money refunds when the passenger canceled the ride. In this case, the money refund depends on many factors, including when the passenger hailed a car, passenger’s membership type, driver location, and others.
• Hidden phone numbers. Since the app’s users belong to a luxury society, they respect their privacy. Thus, we needed to hide real app users’ phone numbers and mask them with random phone numbers from the London area.
• Real-time geolocation. The app should always show the current driver’s position using GPS integrated into the mobile device. The main challenge here was to choose the right geolocation API because most third-party geolocation modules work with delays.
• Limited resources. During this project, we often compared ourselves with the team that developed the Uber mobile app. But, unlike the Uber team, we had limited resources, including developers, funds, and timeframes, making our mission to develop bug-free luxury mobile apps almost impossible.
• Bonus programs. At this step, we needed to develop the logic for HYPR’s bonus program, which included several user groups. The app awards some users with 100 pounds they can use for rides. Also, some users receive a free subscription for several months, while others receive a life-time free subscription.
  

One Solution, Four Products

We developed HYPR, a transportation platform that offers exclusive service of supercar hiring for its customers. The platform consists of:

How we did it

Step 1. Make the apps compliant with TFL requirements

Firstly, our business analysts checked all Transport for London requirements concerning essential app features to make the project technical documentation compliant with it.

Step 2. Write technical documentation

Secondly, our business analysts, together with tech leads and developers, started to write technical documentation for the project, highlighting all possible scenarios and user stories for both driver and passenger apps. We also created the best possible infrastructure of the HYPR platform.

Step 3. Prioritize features and plan MVP

Thirdly, we analyzed all user stories from Technical documentation and prioritized the essential functions of both driver and passenger app for the project’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP). As a rule, we start all sophisticated projects as MVP so our clients can achieve the proof of concept of their business idea.

Step 4. Develop the MVPs back-end

Fourthly, we started to implement user stories and main scenarios for the passenger app, driver app, and admin panel. At this step, we also developed a Subscription website and integrated a payment gateway.

Interesting Features We Implemented

Payment Gateway

The HYPR application required a reliable and accessible payment processor to handle:

• Subscription fee management
• Ride payments

In addition, we needed a solution that would refund money on the different ride’s stages. Thus, we decided to integrate Stripe because it perfectly met the client’s requirements.

• User-friendly interface
• Merchant account features
• Multiple payment methods
• PCI DDS compliance + AVS, SSL, CCV features
• Flexible API

Google Maps and Google Places

Geolocation was another essential app component, requiring integration of third-party APIs for general map navigation, vehicle monitoring.

We used:

• Google Maps for general web mapping and vehicle movement monitoring
• Google Places to streamline the navigation and provide additional information regarding different locations

Data security

One of the client’s requirements was to make the app GDPR compliant. This meant that the app should meet strict guidelines for user data management, include transparent data use policy, and guarantee data safety. To make HYPR GDPR compliant, we used the following solutions:

• HTTPS, TLS, SSH for data-in-transit encryption;
• BCryptfor database encryption;
• DDoS protection;
• PCI DSS compliance;
• Activity Logging and Access Management;
• Limited access to the production database at the network level.

Results

We nailed delivery of the MVP of two mobile apps, Admin panel and a website with subscription on time, Matthew presented our project to the Transport of London committee, who approved our applications for the London area. After the MVP launch, we entered the second development phase and integrated other features for the app’s public release. Currently, we continue working on the app, and soon we will release a new app version with more features for both drivers and passengers.

New HYPR’s release will include

• Alternative car suggestions with the same amount of passenger seats
• Driver mode will allow app users to rent a car and drive it themselves
• Convoy mode will enable users to book several cars at once

For us, working on the HYPR project was a better experience than riding all supercars at the same time.

The backstory

Ibiza is the mecca for nightlife enthusiasts. However, the pandemic has changed the way people attend night clubs. Due to restrictions, all clubs on the Island were closed to prevent a second wave of COVID-19. Thus, millions of party goers had to come to the Island and organize their parties in private villas.

In such circumstances, party enthusiasts were looking for an on-demand delivery solution to order their favorite food, alcohol, and groceries with no hassle.

Enrico, our honored client, envisioned this opportunity. There was also no intense competition or big players like Uber Eats on the Island. He managed to launch the product in just two months, earning his first customers and reputation before the season ended.

What is Alfred Ibiza

Alfred Ibiza is an on-demand delivery mobile app that connects restaurants, stores, couriers, and customers in Ibiza. The app allows customers to order from restaurants, pharmacies, and supermarkets, listed on the platform.

• The app charges you the cost of products and delivery services, and withdraws money from your credit card.
• Once you place an order, the app finds the nearest courier to deliver your order.
• The app also includes particular product groups, delivered exclusively by the company’s employees.
• You can connect via a restaurant with email and track the courier’s geolocation in real-time.

Our Goals

Our main goal for the Alfred Ibiza project was to build a platform that would simplify ordering and delivering products on Ibiza island and help party goers to receive their orders on time. We wanted the platform to be equally useful for business owners, couriers, and customers.

Project scope

We needed to design all the business processes that an on-demand delivery mobile app requires and ensure the final result would have similar features to those the most popular food delivery mobile apps include (such as UberEats, Doordash, Glovo, etc.).

We needed to develop a complete infrastructure from scratch for three mobile apps – one for buyers, for sellers, and one for couriers, that would work on both iOS and Android, a web-based admin panel, and a marketing landing page to promote Alfred Ibiza.

We were also responsible for the UI/UX design for all the platform’s components (mobile and web applications).

Our challenges

• Limited timeline. This project was not the first time that clients contacted us after being rejected by other development teams due to tight deadlines. In this case, we needed to build cross-platform mobile apps and an admin web panel for restaurant owners within two months.
• No technical documentation. The client came to us only with a business idea. Thus, we needed to develop project documentation in-house, which is the core of any IT project. For this, we needed to conduct a business analysis of existing on-demand food ordering apps, define their core features, and suggest technologies to implement them.
• Comprehensive payment calculation algorithm. The client’s business logic required building a complex pricing algorithm that calculated the delivery fee based on the product category and distance of delivery.
• Courier online geolocation tracking. Since most popular food ordering apps include courier services, we also needed to integrate live position tracking of couriers into the client app and an admin panel.
• Live-chat. One of the client’s business goals was to ensure transparency in communication between restaurants and customers. Thus, we needed to integrate a live messaging functionality to the app.
• Couriers provided by businesses. According to Ibiza’s regulations, products from Alcohol,Tobacco and Pharmacy categories must be delivered by the brand’s employee. To enable this option, we needed to empower the restaurant’s admin panel with the function of delivering their products without third-party couriers.

One Ordering Marketplace, Four Products

The customer app
The customer app includes the following sections:

• Home page

The home page is the first screen you see after opening the app. You can find different product categories, such as Food and Beverages, Alcohol and Tobacco, and Pharmacy. As a user, you can select the necessary category, browse the product catalog, select products, and order them.

• Push notifications

Once the order placed is approved by the provider, you service a push-notification about the new order status In progress, and another notification when the courier delivers your order.

• Inbox

You can exchange messages with restaurants and other businesses within the app using the built-in messaging feature.

• Manage orders

This section includes order history, which allows you to cancel or reorder products anytime.

• Add new order

Apart from the Home page, you can place the new order in the Add new order section. You can also select the Take-out option and get the order at the seller’s physical location yourself.

• Favorites

If you enjoyed a particular dish or restaurant, you can save it to your favorites and access them in the Favorites section.

• Offers

This section includes special offers and discounts from sellers and food providers.

• Settings

As a user, you can save your address, add credit card information, etc., in the Settings sections.

• Helps

Here, you can receive help from the platform’s admins anytime you need it.

• Reviews

Here, you can rate restaurants, meals, and couriers.

The courier app
The courier app includes the following features:

• New orders

Once the courier receives the new order required, one can accept or decline it.

• Map

If the courier accepts the order, the app automatically changes the order status to In progress. The couriers see the pickup and delivery address on the built-in map with the shortest delivery route.

• Order history

Couriers can access the history of completed orders in the Order History section.

The provider app
After login, all providers access their mobile application with the following features:

• Menu management

Business owners can add, edit, and delete products in their menus, upload images, change descriptions, and prices.

• Receiving orders

Once a customer places an order, the provider receives a message from the platform with other details, customer name, total order sum, and delivery address.

• Replying to customer reviews

After the customer leaves a review of one’s products, the provider can reply to the customer’s review.

• Live chat with customers

As the customer places a new order, one can connect with providers in the live chat and discuss order details.

• Placing and tracking delivery requests

After the provider approves a new order, one places a delivery request to the courier app and tracks delivery progress.

Admin panel
We empowered the web-based admin panel with the following functionality:

• Dashboard

Here, admins can count the total number of users, restaurants, current orders, and other platform stats.

• User management

As an admin, you can add new users, access their details, and block users.

• Category management

In this section, you can add new product categories, manage existing categories, and delete them.

• Order management

You can view new and completed orders, edit order information, and cancel orders.

• Promo cards

As an admin, you can issue promo cards that give customers discounts.

• Rating and reviews

You can add, manage, and delete user reviews.

• CMS management

Here, you can access your customer management system’s information, add, edit, or delete users.

• Helpdesk tickets

In this section, you can view messages from customers who need support on your platform and solve issues.

• Banners

Here, you can add, manage, and delete banners on the landing page.

• Manage settings

As an admin, you can manage user settings for customers and restaurants.

How we did it

• Step 1. Business analysis

We analyzed the most popular food delivery applications and created a list of selected features to integrate. We decided to build a cross-platform application with React Native, so both iOS and Android device users could access it.
We gathered our core technology expertise in on-demand projects and applied it to create an ordering engine to avoid building it from the ground up. In such a way, we significantly reduced the project development time and costs.

• Step 2. Business processes

As the client came to us with only a business idea, we were also responsible for developing and maintaining all related business processes. We made the project’s account on the Stripe payment system, a cloud platform for hosting the app’s architecture and other project-related services.

• Step 3. Technical documentation

We developed the project documentation for Alfredo Ibiza, in which we described the platform’s primary functions. The documentation also included user stories on how the platform should behave in different scenarios, such as a money refund.

• Step 4. Four product categories

We were also cautious with different product categories and their use cases since they required a different delivery approach. Thus, we decided to divide app products into three major categories, such as Food and Beverages, Alcohol and Tobacco, and Pharmacy, to simplify the delivery calculations process and ensure orders from alcohol and pharmacy would be delivered by business representatives only.

• Step 5. Price calculation algorithm

Since the platform calculates delivery fees based on the product category (from 15% to 30%), the delivery distance and total project sum, we decided to work with an existing payment gateway and customize it for the project’s needs. For this project, we decided to use Stripe because it is a popular payment gateway that supports the main payment options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.
To make Stripe calculating custom pricing, we gathered main product categories and created calculating price rules first on Google Spreadsheets. Then, we agreed on the price-forming algorithm with the client and our developers made all the necessary changes into the Stripe code, so it met the project’s needs.

Results that we achieved

We managed to develop the Alfred Ibiza platform within just three months, at a total project cost of $70,000, 50-60% cheaper than the average development cost of a food delivery app.

The platform includes an app for customers, couriers, an admin panel for restaurants with only necessary functions. Besides this, we also developed a marketing landing page to promote the Alfred Ibiza platform.

Our tech stack

• Node.js
• React.js
• React Native
• Stripe

Team composition

• 1 Back-end Node.js developer
• 1 React.js developer
• 2 React Native developers
• 1 Quality Assurance manager
• 1 product owner

How it started

When we travel on vacation, the last thing we want is to spend extra time at the hotel reception desk during the check-in procedure. Now, we have PassportScan, an app that allows travelers to register at hotels seamlessly via mobile devices and tablets. 

The story began when David Palo, CEO of PassportScan, was looking for an answer to a fundamental yet straightforward question “whether to develop an iOS or Android app for an existing software?”. 

To find the answer, he searched the web and came across our blog post on the subject. After reading our article, David still had specific issues that remained unresolved, so he decided to contact us and find out more about the mobile app development process.

Once we got in touch with David, he told us more about his challenges. David already had the existing hotel front desk software for document scanning and classification, but he needed an app for tablets and mobile devices that would automate the rest of the check-in procedures done manually by hotel personnel.

As a result, we started a long-term co-operation and developed a PassportScan app for iPads and Android devices, a web service for hotel employees, and a subscription web portal. 

What is the PassportScan app?

PassportScan is a SaaS for hotels, currently used by Mariott, Four Seasons, Hyatt Regency, and Hilton. The app turns the check-in process into a 30-second operation and streamlines data gathering using image scanning tools. 

By using PassportScan, hotel employees can scan a guest’s documents, let guests sign registration cards digitally, manage the information via the app, and send data to the hotel’s property management system or customer relationship management system. 

PassportScan helps to get rid of paper documentation and reduces the number of human errors in the client’s profile by leveraging optical character recognition (OCR) features and the integrated Address Validation Engine. 

Our goals 

• Develop an app for iOS and Android. We needed to develop an app for tablets and iPads that would allow managers from different hotels to log-in to the PassportScan system via personal accounts, scan guest documents, and send the data to the hotel’s database. 
• Integrate the app into the client’s eco-system. Each hotel has its own in-house system to track check-ins and information about guests. Thus, the app should send scanned data and other guest info to the hotel’s database seamlessly and error-free. 
• Build a data management system. Apart from scanning passports, users need a platform to manage data, set up owner and branch settings, payment information, and user access.
• Enable user payment. Since PassportScan applies a subscription payment model, we needed to create an e-commerce module for online payments via credit card. 
• Protect personal data. Since the app deals with sensitive data (customer data, document images, and biometric signature), we needed to apply advanced security measures and make the app compatible with new European regulations regarding personal data privacy, such as GDPR.  

Our solution – PassportScan app 

PassportScan consists of three main parts.

PassportScan Workspace 

Workspace is a web portal designed to manage apartment bookings in hostels and hotels. Workspace stores guest profiles, booking details, ID information, and signed documents. 

PassportScan Workspace keeps data received from

• A mobile PassportScan app
• A PassportScan desktop software
• Hotels PMS (Property Management System)

PassportScan Workspace supports integration with Oracle products, such as Suite 8 and Opera, to import and export data. The web portal also includes the support ticketing system so that hotel employees can get in touch with developers in case of bugs or system failures. 

PassportScan Billing System 

This is a web-based app for PassportScan users to pay their subscriptions via the Stripe payment gateway. Initially, users have a one month trial period. At the end of each month, users receive auto-generated invoices based on the number of scans and signs added to the system, and the number of gigabytes used. 

PassportScan’s billing system includes the following features:

• Billing details validation
• Credit card validity checking
• Online payments via Stripe payment gateway 
• Editing payment methods
• “Payment history” with digital invoices 

PassportScan Native Apps for iPads and Android tablets 

Native applications allow hotel employees to scan a guest’s documents with iPads and Android tablets, then send data to the Workspace.

Apps for both platforms include the same feature set:

• Search for available bookings in the PassportScan system
• Scan front and back sides of documents 
• Edit the guest’s details
• Digital Signature 
• PassportScan privacy policy 
• GDPR compliant Data Use Agreement 
• List with additional hotel services 

PassportScan’s check-in takes six steps:

Step 1. Hotel employee starts the registration/check-in process and finds the guest’s booking 

Step 2. Hotel employee updates guest info by scanning documents using the PassportScan app

Step 3. The app recognizes the image from the guest’s passport, captures the data, then classifies and verifies it

Step 4. Hotel employee edits the identified elements if needed

Step 5. The guest agrees with the privacy policy with the GDPR compliant Data Use Agreement 

Step 6. The guest puts a digital signature and may ask for additional hotel services

Our challenges and solutions

Architecture 

Due to the system’s complexity, we developed the project’s back-end system with a potential high load in mind by applying a microservice architecture approach that enabled the system with both vertical and horizontal scaling. 

In this way, the application is divided by functionality (vertical scaling), and each microservice can run as multiple instances behind a load balancer (horizontal scaling). Also, we achieved a more effective consumption of computational resources, since, under high load,  the architecture scales horizontally. 

The project’s core consists of 8 back-end services for reading, scanning, and saving documents, digital signatures, etc., and three public components:

• The Public API provides an interface to the back-end for a native application, as well as integration capabilities for 3rd party external systems
• The Admin panel with a dashboard for configuration management
• The Workspace, a web interface to manage the system for hotel staff

Security

For every type of app user, the system provides an authentication procedure with personalized credentials and password security provided by Admin. The system interacts with the outer world via SSL with 128-bit keys. Services without external connections, placed on the private cloud, are entirely isolated from external access. The system protects sensitive customer data by encrypting with AES 256 algorithm.

Tight deadlines 

The biggest challenge we faced was keeping tight deadlines during the development stage. The main reason for such a rush was that David and the PassportScan team had already scheduled presentations of the app’s MVP at several RoadShows and Hospitality conferences. Thus, there was no room for error.

We nailed the project’s release within the deadlines, thanks to defined Milestones, a carefully prepared back-end, and microservices project architecture. Thanks to microservices technology, we managed to develop several modules simultaneously, and the further module orchestration helped us to avoid any kind of server shut down. Thus, if any of the modules fail, other modules quickly help (less than 5 sec) to retrieve all the data.

Project tech stack 

• Symfony 4.3 for web-based WorkSpace and Billing systems
• Document reader SDK for identifying letters and numbers in passports 
• Signature module SDK for capturing digital signatures 
• Scan module SDK for scanning passports 
• Storage Module SDK for sending data to the cloud storage
• License and modules management SDK for managing the owners, hotel data, and native clients device identity
• User management API for setting different levels of user access
• Stripe SDK as online payment gateway
• JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) for generating custom invoices
• Google Maps API for address validation
• Google Cloud Platform Storage for secured data storage
• Amazon Web Services Mailer for ticketing system and streamlined technical support 
• Google Cloud Platform Pub/Sub messaging for connecting microservices architecture components 
• Swift SDK for iPad app version 
• Android SDK and Android Studio for Android-powered devices

Team composition

• 4 Back-end developers
• 1 DevOps
• 2 Project managers
• 2 iOS developer
• Android developer
• 2 QA engineer
• 2 Business Analysts

Results

PassportScan is shaping the hospitality industry by showing how technology can eliminate routine tasks and paperwork for hotel employees. 

Thanks to clear project goals and timely communication with David and the PassportScan team, we managed to build the first app version in just one month from the project launch. We are proud to be a part of such products as PassportScan because they improve the world we live in today. Watch the video where we share our thoughts on the PassportScan project. 

Recently, we launched the discovery phase of the Self-check-in app for PassportScan to enable guests to make check-ins via the app with their own mobile devices. This is very important right now with the situation of the Pandemic of COVID-19, allowing the possibility of non-contact services in the Hospitality industry. 

Client’s testimonial 

Want to develop an application for your business? 

The Backstory 

Everything has two sides – a bright one and one that doesn’t show. This characteristic especially applies to Las Vegas, the heart of gambling, famous for its casinos and entertainment. 

As visitors, we see bright lights, friendly personnel, and delicious drinks that make us more likely to gamble. But for casino operators, managers, and C-levels, things are not so bright. 

There are 136 casinos in Las Vegas. To win the competition, casino employees must create an excellent guest experience by meeting guests’ expectations. Since every guest has different factors that determine one’s satisfaction level, the personalized approach to every guest has become vital to casinos. But existing casino management tools failed to provide operators and managers with necessary functionality. 

The casino management platform faces the gambling industry challenges with a data-driven approach. The platform enables casino operators and managers to perform day to day tasks in a single application and provide personalized guest experience utilizing data from multiple sources.

What is a casino management platform? 

The client owns a platform for casino management that analyses human behavior, finds patterns, and shows analytics insights to casino operators. The software was created by former casino managers applying best practices they received over decades of operational experience. 

To face gambling industry challenges, they identified main gaps in existing casino management applications – the inability to predict guests’ needs, share up-to-date information on guests and dealings with operators, and the absence of guest segmentation. 

Then, the client’s team filled in those gaps with data analytics, behavior analytics, and a customizable Dashboard with helpful widgets. 

Now, the client’s white-label platform is available to any gambling organization that wants to bring casino management to the next level. 

Business problem 

Initially, the platform was web-based. Thus, it didn’t provide much freedom to casino operators and managers who couldn’t carry a laptop around with them.

Our client is the Chief Operating Officer of a casino management platform from Las Vegas, who needed developers to build a cross-platform app for mobile devices and tablets and integrate widgets from the web platform. 

After reading the functional vs. nonfunctional requirements article on our blog, she decided to contact us for cross-platform app development services. 

Project scope

• Cross-platform. Develop a cross-platform application, downloadable on mobile (iOS, Android) and tablet devices
• Scalable UI. Adapt widgets to mobile devices and tablets screens 
• Backend implementation. Connect the app’s backend with the platform’s servers and databases via API, so any views or preferences that the user has saved in a web application should be auto-applied to a mobile application interface.
• Custom widgets. Develop 13 custom widgets into a Hosts and Managers Dashboard that mimic the web platform’s functionality. 
• Clear code. Ensure the app operates without bugs and deliver a mobile application within tight deadlines.  

We agreed to participate in this project because the client came to us with a mockup design and detailed features list. From a developer’s point of view, it is much easier to achieve predictable results with a client who has shaped expectations for the project in a written document.  

Obstacles we faced

The project challenged us in the following ways: 

Additional user verification methods

The client suggested using face and fingerprint recognition as user verification methods to prevent the app from unauthorized access and use. 

But ‘Face recognition’ and ‘Touch recognition’ functionality requires platform-specific code in the cross-platform paradigm. So, we suggested using a simple log in via email and password in the first place. 

We used an OAuth2 token to ensure data protection that restricts access to different APIs and pages depending on user roles and permissions. 

Secured phone calls and messages 

Since casino managers and operators exchange business-and client-sensitive data; we needed to integrate text messages reading and calls logging functionality. 

But according to the Google Play Developer Policy, an app with such functionality must be registered as the default Phone or SMS handler on the device to be able to use such permissions. 

Moreover, reading SMS and logging calls are restricted by Apple, which has a strict policy regarding such features due to privacy concerns. Thus, there was a risk that Apple Store would decline the application.

We decided to secure incoming and outcoming calls and text messages by wrapping the platform-specific code with the plugin. For this purpose, we suggested Twillo, a cloud communication platform that enables app users’ communication using its web service APIs.

But the client had concerns about Twillo security, so the decision was to give up on this feature. 

Tight deadlines

The client had tight deadlines for the app’s milestones. Considering sophisticated backends, the number of APIs to integrate, and our desire to do our best, we believed for the best but prepared for the worst. 

But this project showed us that our team is excellent at performing under pressure. 

We optimized all possible processes of the project development and nailed the successful project delivery. 

Despite all obstacles, we managed to deliver the application. 

And here is how: 

How we did it 

Clarified client’s requirements 

After the client contacted us, we scheduled a virtual call with our team. Then, she sent us a request for a proposal with a detailed description of features for the project, acceptance criteria, and design mockups. 

Our developers created a raw project cost estimation and sent it to the client’s team for an agreement based on this information. A raw estimate includes the development, quality assurance, and technical project management effort based on the project scope’s brief survey. 

The document also includes a basic idea of the project cost, followed by a project plan and adjusted estimate of the team effort. 

Once project stakeholders approved the basic estimation, we initiated the discovery phase. 

Launched the discovery phase 

At the beginning of the discovery phase, we arranged a meeting with the client’s team to learn more about the specificities of casino management, the gambling industry, and their business in particular. 

After receiving more detailed information on the project and clarifying business requirements, we provided the client with the following discovery phase deliverables: 

• Technical documentation
• Project specification
• Precise project cost estimation  

Next, we scheduled a kick-off meeting to discuss the project deliverables, main milestones, and set up the communication process between our teams. We also planned weekly status calls to report on our progress and updates.

We divided the project into tasks and organized the project backlog in the Kanban Azure board.  

Initiated the development stage

Developers took tasks from the project backlog and implemented them. Then, quality assurance managers tested the code in a visual environment. If the QA manager found errors, one sent the code to the developers with a detailed bug report, so the developer could fix it. 

Once quality assurance managers ensured the code performed without errors, developers pushed fixed code to the project repository. 

Ran the final project demo session 

One of the client’s requirements was paying extra attention to details. We ensured that the project was error-free by applying regression testing before the project release and fixing bugs after the regression testing. 

After we completed all the tasks, fixed bugs, and released the exact code to the project repository, it was time for the final project demo. 

During the visual conference with the client, we showed the final project version in a virtual environment. The developer demonstrated the mobile app’s main functionality that mirrored the web platform, widget designs, user flow, etc. 

Team composition 

• 3 Developers 
• 1 QA Manager 
• 1 Business Analyst 
• 1 Project Manager

Project technical details  

• Dart programming language for cross-platform app building
• Flutter programming framework for crafting mobile apps from a single codebase
• OAuth2 token for restricting access to different APIs and pages depending on user roles and permissions 

Results that we achieved

We created a while-label cross-platform application for mobile devices and tablets with a customizable Dashboard that modernizes the gambling industry and casino management approach in Las Vegas, Nevada, and other states. 

We developed a widgets library from the ground up

The application allows host users and managers to add widgets from a widget library, navigate and manage them with drag-and-drop functionality. 

• Missing Persons

• Today’s high impact guests

• Host goals/Team goals

• Today’s property cumulative gaming summary variances

• Host vs. Database performance as of {date}

• Today’s comp exceptions

And others.

Notable features 

• Guest profile. Includes such information about a guest, as photo upload, filters for play details, guest notification settings, etc.

• Floor summary. Includes ‘custom view’ section and ‘cumulative gaming summary’, `counts by host` “hourly summary” tables with filtering functionality. 
• My Book/ Quick Query. Provides several ways of contacting users (calls and text messages), and results filtering functionality by query section, birthday month, place of living, tier, traits, preferences. 
• Live floor view. Enables users to view players on my slot floor right now from the mobile application.
• PD portal. Includes information about reservations hosts, managers, book, and quick query.
• Player profile. Enables users to search and view a player profile on a mobile and tablet application.

We ensured the project’s successful delivery by close cooperation with developers and stakeholders, providing thorough status updates and great attention to the smallest details.

Client review 

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“The App Solutions did a great job adapting to the way we do business. Weekly calls, thorough status updates via phone and email, constant questions. It was truly a pleasure.”

— The Chief Operating Officer of a Casino Management Software

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Ready to create a cross-platform mobile app? We’ll help you figure out how to bring our expertise and your business goals in a way that’ll be beneficial for both of us. 

Project details

Conectric uses a mix of patented technologies and tools, the data of the Internet of Things sensors, and business intelligence to reliably deliver reduced building energy consumption to property owners, operators, developers and energy companies.

The App Solutions provides the whole software ecosystem that includes backend and integration of two mobile applications.

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The App Solutions team has proven to be highly professional, flexible, scalable and very competent technically. They often deliver results faster than even we are able to keep up with.

Their professional approach is ideal for companies that need a mix between offshore cost structure and while meeting local expectations of professionalism and billing.

— Phillip Kopp
CEO, Conectric

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The main challenge was to create a system that connects all the hardware and soft.

The whole system consists of hardware, high-loaded back-end, sensors and control boxes.

Our team had to create a thoughtful system that integrates all these elements, provide high performance and excellent security level.

Also we were challenged to create a user-friendly front-end.

Summary

The resource overconsumption has become an acute problem of the modern society. More and more companies consider the reduction of energy consumption as a step forward to the global social responsibility.

Energy saving provides not only environmental benefits but also helps to improve output and optimize expenses. That is why Savings as a Service is becoming so popular nowadays.

Conectric has already delivered its energy efficiency to more than 100 of the leading hotels and resorts all over the world. The business model of Savings as a Service allows setting up the system with zero investments while energy reduction can reach over 10% per year.