Roweb Development

Litera - Complete and intuitive purchase process based on Magento 2

eCommerce development for Litera, one of the largest publishing houses and online book sales platforms in the country

• intuitive product filter system
• custom-developed preorder system, campaign pages, subscriptions/product series
• subsidiary brands integration, such as Litera Educational and Voxa.ro (audiobooks & ebooks platform)
• online platform optimized for mobile access

TECHNOLOGIES: Magento 2, ElasticSearch, CSS, HTML, Redis

Client’s needs & goals

The client wished for a scalable, cloud-hosted eCommerce solution with solid security features to meet their growing functionality demands. Faster load time during high-traffic events like Black Friday or the Christmas holidays was also on the to-do list.

The new requirements

Our development team started by replacing deprecated code while simultaneously delivering new functionalities requested by the business.

The solution

A key part of our collaboration with the Litera team included sessions for changing the existing codebase:

• cloud optimization,
• code refactoring,
• platform updating.

Magento 2 is the ideal platform for this project because of its flexibility in achieving business objectives.

The main benefits of using Magento:

• solid, secure architecture ensuring a user-friendly purchasing process;
• structured new functionality development according to the business needs for growth and development;
• support for customer loyalty and upselling strategies;
• cloud infrastructure allowing efficient infrastructure scaling;
• integration with other 3rd-party systems.

Features and functionalities:

The platform was designed with the client's needs in mind, providing an easy-to-use interface without compromising quality. To achieve this, we have implemented the following features:

Chatbot development for nGAGE HR platform

• improved communication (between employees, employees - management, employees - applicants);
• faster access to relevant information only;
• reduced time-consuming tasks;
• decreasing costs for internal and external processes.

TECHNOLOGIES: Google Dialog Flow, Socket.io, Framework7, KnockoutJS, ASP .NET API, Cordova, MSSQL

Chatbot development to simplify the communication at multi-user levels and reduce costs and resources across recruiting processes.

The context

The client - nGage - was using a dynamic platform (also developed by Roweb) for managing several HR activities (information for open positions, salaries, payments and invoices management, etc.). This solution integrates a communication module that our client's employees use more often to exchange messages with the applicants. For increasing the responsiveness time and maintain a positive image in the market, the client decided to extend this communication module.

The solution

This is the first chatbot solution our client had developed, and its main purpose is to simplify and improve communication between several types of users.

The app integrates a permanent menu from where the chatbot can be activated. Once the bot is on, the user - employee - can write and send his question - no matter how specific it is. The question is taken over by the bot and filtered with the NLP module, which will try to interpret its meaning.

Features and functionalities

• multilevel communication (between employees, employees - management, employees - applicants);
• permanent menu from where the chatbot can be activated;
• NLP module for filtering and interpreting the requests;
• dynamic search for new jobs;
• direct chat option;
• “send an e-mail” option;
• “schedule a call” option;
• UX/UI optimized interface;
• push notifications;
• chat contacts management.

Multilevel Industrial Software Solutions for CapsLock (International)

• digitalization of execution for industrial projects
• all information in one place
• designed for multiple users/ multiple activities’ types

TECHNOLOGIES: PHP, Laravel, Vue JS

Our Client

Capslock Industrial Service is a start-up that provides smart digital solutions for the Industrial Plant Construction Industry from 2019. The company’s main focus is to increase industrial projects’ efficiency through digitalization and innovation.

THE SOLUTION

Based on the main pain-points identified by our client for the construction industries, we’ve designed a software concept able to provide full usability for multiple users types.

Level of users:

• Managers
• Project team members
• Subcontractors
• Clients
• Custom roles created accordingly to the needs of the project

Along with the concept presentation, we also provided a punctual evaluation of the resources involved (dedicated team structure, allocated time, budget, etc.).

The delivered solution is a digital-plant project management application that allows activities like real-time communication, data and document transfers, staff and task management, resources calculation and management, subcontractor management, reporting, etc.

This solution's core goal is to gather everything in one place, automate and simplify the tasks, allow real-time tracking of the project's steps, and place valuable insights within reach.

Features and functionalities:

• Line List Management;
• Isometrics Management;
• Warehouse;
• Progress Reporting;
• Welding Management;
• As-Built Calculation;
• Pressure Test Management;
• TIE In Management;
• Subcontractor Management;
• Scaffolding Management;
• Punch List;
• Spool Management;
• Task Manager;
• Daily log, Hours recording.

Web App for Improved Performance on Multi-Party Financial Processes

Developing a dedicated web app (with focus on user experience - UX) that allows dynamic management for financial data (collection, storage, and synchronization) through an online module that is connected to an existing app.

CLIENT’S MAIN REQUEST

Implementing a tech solution that allows:

• online registration of guarantee requests by the financing institutions /banks;
• a faster and simplified exchange of documents between the parties involved in the processes;
• optimized workflows.

SOLUTION

The platform allows users to:

• enter the information related to the guarantee requests;
• view warranty claims;
• modify the information/data entered;
• load / delete the documents related to a guarantee request.

Project highlights

• FGCR constantly receives from the financing institutions a large volume of requests for obtaining guarantees.
• Initially, the process of collecting /storing/synchronizing the transmitted data and documents was quite slow and time-consuming.
• We’ve created a Web application for FGCR (developed in .NET C # with MVC pattern). This app allows users from the financial institutions to:
• enter the information related to the guarantee requests;
• view the warranty requests, to modify the information/data entered;
• load / delete the documents related to a guarantee request.
• The developed platform has fully responded to the client's needs and, currently, helps FGCR to increase his productivity and performance at
• the level of processes carried out with third parties;
• The benefits brought by the digital solution we’ve delivered determined the client to want further developments and optimizations.
• Therefore, FGCR decided to extend the collaboration with Roweb by starting a second phase for this project.

TECHNOLOGIES

ASP.NET WebForms, .NET Framework 4.6, Google reCAPTCHA, Microsoft ASP.Net Identity, BCrypt.Net-Next, Serilog, nClam, Dapper ORM, Twitter Bootstrap, Toastr.js

We customized and implemented our own internally - developed Online Portal Solution. We provided KBT with a complete technical solution for their portal and we also created and upgraded their UI interface, web design and email templates' design.

Support for the legacy system & data migration

Optimized for high traffic

Advanced CMS System

SEO-friendly URLs, possibility to edit page names, titles, meta descriptions and meta keywords or edit alternative tags for images

• Advanced template system
• Powerful WYSIWYG visual content editor with drag and drop
• Responsive design
• Facebook and Twitter plugins
• News module
• Subscriptions
• Google Search and Google Maps integration
• Donations module integration through Sage Pay & PayPal
• Shopping cart implementation
• Google Search integration

CRM System

The CRM’s most important features include:

• Categorizing and listing members as companies or people, with an advanced filtering system that facilitates quick searches by multiple criteria and data export in Excel format.
• Detailed profile for each member, with privacy options, activity history, engagement details and other useful information
• BI Dashboard with advanced reports, integration with Google Analytics and breakdowns like e-commerce reports, SEO reports etc.

Powerful E-commerce System

We implemented a powerful e-commerce system on the portal, enabling the organization to manage hundreds of products and get thousands of orders through the system.

We integrated the system with PayPal & Sage Pay payments systems through their APIs and we implemented a complex price system based.

Our longest-standing partnership (since 2004) based on dedicated team model:

Ongoing development project for providing flexible and modern real estate work environment for multiple countries/markets.

flexible solution - easy to adapt to different markets (countries)

• migration from on-premise to cloud
• mobile-first CRM app with specific features for the real estate industry

TECHNOLOGIES

.NET 5 Web API, Nancy FX, MSSQL, Elasticsearch, Memory cache, Redis, RabbitMQ, SignalR, Quartz.NET, Azure DevOps, Docker, Kubernetes, ReactJS

CLIENT’S MAIN REQUEST

Optimizing the existing HR platform by implementing smart technologies that are able to

• eliminate redundant and time-consuming activities (for all users types: recruiters, employees, candidates);
• provide an optimized user experience through intuitive design, tools, and features.

SOLUTION

VMS365 enables its users to manage the outsourcing process, communication & invoicing across three levels, involving multiple contractors, clients and cost centers.

OUTCOME

The implemented solution improved the HR processes in terms of speed and efficiency, supporting the company in the rebranding process.

CLIENT'S NEED

Tourpaq needed an up-to-date Tour Operator Management System that would enable the users to manage everything that has to do with their activity, from a single dashboard: pricing, offers, availability, online sales, invoicing, due payments, real-time reports, data visualisations, price control automation, marketing and integration with multiple third-party systems, such as GDS systems, insurance companies or SMS and email systems.

OUR APPROACH

Tourpaq chose to work with us on this project after a series of meetings, during which the decisive factor was our ability to understand their specific problem and offer the most efficient solutions, as well as the technical proficiency of our software experts.

Their requirements came from a practical perspective and part of our tasks was to provide them with consultancy in mapping out the exact specifications for the project, based on their practical needs, to identify the best solutions to address them and to implement these solutions.

Our flexibility and agile development methodology played from the beginning a key part in the success of our collaboration.

SOLUTION

• a Software Architect
• a Project Manager
• a Database Specialist
• a UX Designer
• 2 UI / Web Developers
• 6 .NET Developers

The project's main challenge was the complexity behind this type of booking system, as it needed to enable the efficient management of bookings, tickets, emails, finances, hotels, transportation, extra products, pricelists, customers and much more.

The solution is made up of several components, which enable the tour operators to manage all of their departments and fully automate processes.

For a Marketing Manager, the CMS system enables managing descriptions on all products sold, an integrated survey system ensuring an accurate feedback from customers, newsletter integration and automatic integration with portals such as Momondo, Travel Market, SkiSport or Facebook.

Top Management can perform simulations of sales and costs per departure, destination and much more. Dashboards are provided for a quick overview and fast status checks for multiple goals.

Brand Managers can easily control prices, make price adjustments or generate special offers, control sales, the view load factor for hotel beds and seats on the plane. Actionable data like detailed profit, cost and sales statistics are also available and are shown in a dashboard overview and the user can also enable alerts related to these metrics.

The application leverages a Layered Architecture which provides loose coupling between layers and high reusability accomplished by using agile design principles and patterns. It was developed using some of the latest and powerful available technologies: ASP.NET AJAX, Knockout, jQuery, Web API, WCF, MS SQL Server, Entity Framework and Telerik Rad Controls.

Integrated third-party services:

• TravelPort uAPI to provide reservation of commercial airlines seats
• AutoEurope API integration enables car rentals as part of a travel package
• Paxport, Radixx, DAT and AirBerlin services are used to automatically send passenger lists to airlines, airport and in-flight companies' staff
• Twilio Api is used to provide SMS integration that enables customer notifications
• Gouda API and Europeiske API integration allows tour operators to sell travel insurances
• Google Charts and Google Visualization API are used to generate various reports
• High quality and fast development
• Quick responses to support requests or new requirements
• Flexibility in planning

  CLIENT'S BENEFITS

• High quality and fast development
• Quick responses to support requests or new requirements
• Flexibility in planning

We developed a CRM Web app and a mobile app as well that helped our client surpass old problems and helped them grow their business.

TECHNOLOGIES: PHP, MySQL, Redis, Lumen, ReactJS, Docker, Google Maps API, RxJava, Retrofit, Firebase, Dagger2, Glide

OUR CLIENT

Our client has a labor protection company from Romania that offers consultancy and periodical or on-demand safety inspections.

The client operated from multiple locations in Romania and faced some problems when it came to managing client information.

To manage client information, employees used tools such as Excel. Working with an outdated tool made communication between offices very difficult.

To fix this, the client worked with other companies and developed a suite of apps that in the end didn’t meet their demands.

CLIENT'S NEED

The challenges they faced were:

• They needed an application that would facilitate communication between HQ and field consultants through a single app.
• Because of their previous unsuccessful experience they needed a trustworthy company that had experience in developing apps of this magnitude and complexity.
• They needed a way to manage information both on the field and at the office.
• Due to ever-changing work conditions, they needed an app that would allow future criteria additions.

OUR SOLUTION

We developed a new comprehensive CRM Web application that included all of the modules that the client required to run their business. The CRM worked on mobile for field consultants, and on desktops for office workers.

Apart from the Web application, we developed a Mobile Application that would serve the field consultants. After checking in at a location, this app would allow the field consultants to make an audit, check the status of an office, signal a problem and check RSVTI equipment such as lifts, cranes, forklifts and more. They would also receive push notifications to let them know when equipment is near to expiration or even expired, receive new tasks from their manager or even set reminders for future visits.

Platform modules:

• RSVTI module – That would enable the client to see work and equipment authorizations.
• Client mapping – Detailed information about all clients and work points on a map.
• Task Management module – All employees and clients can create and manage tasks from within the platform.
• Accountancy module – Allows access to all activities performed by either the users or consultants.
• Accidents Module – Records all accidents that took place at work.
• Reports Module – Offers reports graphs, lists, excel export on all activities.
• Admin Module - Manages Users, Roles, Activities, Platform Templates.

We had one architect that also worked as Team Leader, one backend specialist and two frontend specialists. As a project management methodology, we used SCRUM.

Project Architecture

For this application we used an API based architecture:

• Backend: Lumen Microframework for the API
• Database: Eloquent ORM for efficient communication with MySQL
• Frontend: SPA based architecture using ReactJS

For this mobile application we used:

• Backend: Dagger2, RxJava2, Retrofit, OkHttp, Glide, Firebase Messaging, WorkManager
• Frontend: Material Design

Client's Benefits

After our collaboration the client was able to:

• Remove an outdated system
• Correctly manage his projects from all over the country
• Centralize information from all of the offices
• Improve communication between offices

The communication was very good. Occasionally, timelines were pushed back because of other projects we had them working on. They were able to deliver everything we asked of them. The team was very accommodating.

Bogdan Neagu - Owner Seatbelt Consulting

Your online restaurant - The complete solution for delivery, online sales & marketing

The solution offers:

Websites for online sales

Customer database (CRM)

Mobile App

0% commission / Installment payments, according to your needs / Solution delivery in only 7 days (after complete debriefing your business’ needs)

What can you get?

• Eliminate associated costs with third-party delivery service providers.
• Automatically receiving orders by the Mobile App, email & by directly printing them at the printer on your kitchen. You can receive orders from various clients at the same time and take them over faster than you may do via phone.
• An eCommerce website with an unlimited number of products, optimized for mobile &search engines - SEO on-page (Meta-tags, Keywords, Url’s, Title Tags, etc.) generating a positive impact on how your business ranks on Google.
• A Mobile App with real-time notification for every new order and a dynamic customer database (CRM) where you can manage the sales & the communication easier.
• The opportunity to install the solution on as many devices as you want

Steps to get the solution:

Contact us- we install the solution - You set up the menu directly in the app / We configure the payment method

More on the solution

Websites for online sales

• Modern and responsive design personalized with logo and brand colors.
• A system for coupons and discounts.
• On-page SEO optimizations ( Meta-tags, Keywords, Url’s, Title Tags, etc.)
• Installing google analytics, google search console, Facebook microdata, and generating sitemap.xml
• Unlimited number of products and associated images and the option to edit and modify the content from the admin panel.
• Stats,reports
• CTA: Call mobile – for phone ordering
• SSL certificate install and free hosting
• Real-time notification for every new order: instant orders printing, phone, and email notifications.
• GDPR compliance

Mobile App based on CRM 

The orders are received in real-time, and clients’ data and communication with them are automatically managed.

• How much do you know about your clients?
• Do you know how much did a client spend on your restaurant until now?
• Do you know when was his latest order and why didn’t he return to your restaurant?
• Do you have a client segmentation system (VIP, regular, returning, new, lost opportunities)?
• By using our Mobile App base on a CRM approach, you’ll have access to all the benefits above (and more).

Mobile App functionalities

• the Mobile App automatically sends real-time notifications regarding new orders directly to the restaurant’s owner and employees;
• you will get a faster synchronization of the restaurant’s activities and an easier orders management.

The customer database (CRM) will help you centralize, analyze, and manage your clients’ data safely and easily.

• name, phone number, email;
• current order;
• orders' history;
• total orders value (from the first interaction with the restaurant’s services);
• days counter from the latest order to the present;
• delivery address - this can be visualized directly on Google Maps and used by the delivery agent as a GPS navigation;
• Customer category: new, returning, loyal.

Automated identification of a customer

• This functionality allows instant identification of an existing customer on the database by using the phone number (from which he calls).
• When a client calls to the restaurant, his profile page is automated displayed - name, phone number, recent orders, the total value of previous orders, etc.
• By using this functionality, you will be able to instantly identify the most relevant information on the client you are going to interact with. More than that, you can contact the clients directly from the app, or localize on Google Maps the delivery addresses.

Clients’ feedback through QR code and NFC tag

• The feedback is displayed in the App as a chart. By visualizing data this way, you can make informed decisions regarding the menu and the offered services to keep customer loyal.
• The codes are placed on the Business Cards displayed by the menu and can be scanned with the phone.

The SMS marketing module

You can select clients based on specific criteria and send them text messages (SMS) with coupons and promotions to give them reasons to return on your restaurant’s offer.

The benefits of implementing a complete solution for your restaurant: Delivery, Sales & Marketing

• You can sell online to all your customers with 0% commission.
• Optimized selling process through detailed insights about your clients and their preferences.
• Automated ordering process and communication with the clients and the employees.
• The opportunity to promote your brand on short and long term.
• You keep your restaurant opened, even in the most challenging contexts.

We built two native mobile apps for Blueprint Studios, a California-based event rentals company. Both the iOS and the Android app enable users to easily find everything they need for any special event and both apps tie in with the brand's visual identity.

Product Goal

The client tried having a different provider build the mobile apps, but they weren't able to deliver functional products that met the client's requirements, so we had to refactor the code and come up with the design for the applications.

Customers set up an account, search for what they need or browse the product categories, Get inspired, What's new, Collections by color or Designer Picks sections for inspirations, add products to their wishlist or cart as they browse, and when they've decided what they want, simply request a quote based on the content of their shopping cart.

Project Features

Both mobile apps are synced with the website, which means that regardless of where the users first set up their account and the platform or device through which they access it later, their activities, including their wishlists, will all be synchronized.

Blue Studios operate in multiple physical locations and the apps enable users to change stores and view the products that each has to offer. They can view the store locations displayed on a map and also contact each store via email or phone call from within the apps.

Users can log in with their email and password, or with their Facebook account, to save time, and the intuitive dashboard gives them a quick overview of all of the app's features:

What's new, Collections by color, Designer Picks, Wishlist, Shopping cart and Product categories. The shopping cart allows users to instantly import the content of their wish list and a search function helps them quickly find what they need. The sticky menu appears on every screen, making navigation easier and more intuitive.

Projects Stats

An Agile team with the right expertize completed the project in 2 months.

Our designer handled the concept for the applications. We had 2 mobile developers working on this project, one for the Android and one for the iOS app, refactoring the code and implementing the new design, and a third developer for the API, who improved the process and sped up the delivery. We used Agile project management, for an iterative, incremental process, which enabled us to easily adapt to our client's requests.

Technology

We developed the apps using the following technologies: iOS, Objective C, Android SDK, Java, PHP, SQLite, REST API; and tools: Android Studio for Android, XCode for iOS. Both apps benefit of social media integration, enabling users to sign in with their Facebook account.

For displaying and caching the images, we used a Picasso library, and, thanks to SQLite, we saved a part of the data locally in order to be easily accessed by users. The Android application also benefits from Material Design elements, for an optimal digital experience.

Benefits for the users of the app

• Get inspired by the "Designer Picks".
• Keep up to date with the latest decor and design in the "What's New" section.
• "Collections by Color" - Browse a vast rental inventory, color-coded for your convenience.
• Preview polished productions: the portfolio of "Weddings, Galas & Trade Shows."
• "Floral Design, Printing & Graphics, Custom Fabrication" and more. An interactive app allows you to tailor your event with the swipe of your finger.
• Set up a profile, make inquiries or start imagining a dream event with the "Wishlist" feature.
• Easy navigation on the screens
• Ability to import the Wish list into the Shopping cart

Benefits for our client:

• Vastly improved design and user experience, in line with their e-commerce website and brand identity
• Higher performance and speed
• The applications are updated to the latest Android and iOS versions
• We created the mobile design concept, to tie in with their identity while offering users a high-end experience
• Expert consultancy from a designer and a UX specialist
• Our extensive experience in the necessary technologies and in mobile design enabled us to succeed where the initial developers had failed
• A one-stop-shop solutions: we had the know-how for both the Android and the iOS development, as well as for refactoring, so our client was able to have all of their problems solved by a single provider, instead of having to split the project between different providers and deal with the communication and maintenance difficulties that would have entailed

Continuing our partnership, Tourpaq, decided to build an app entirely dedicated to end-users. The app offers real-time visitor information, details, updates, linked to the booking and ideas to inspire tourists to fully enjoy their holiday.

OUR CLIENT - Tourpaq is one of Roweb’s longest-standing clients with an ongoing collaboration that has lasted for over nine years.

Their solutions include data structure and SEO tools, finance management and payment monitoring tools, ticketing and credit management, automatic price optimisation tools and CRM and marketing solutions.

Our Solution

Based on our partnership and with clearly defined project requirements, the development process was a no-surprise one.

Guests can log in using the booking number and the password provided. Users can access available tabs in the app such as Booking, Guide, Destination and more. Booking info provides information about names and number of passengers, resort, hotel name, room types, arrival and departure airports, and timeline. Users can also check pictures, facilities and description of the hotel. The weather forecast and special features are also displayed. We developed the app for both Android and IOS using React Native. That reduced the development time to a total of 3 months instead of 6.

Our team was made up of 5 people.

1 Specialist for implementing the API

3Programming Specialists

1Project Manager

USER'S BENEFITS

Users are now able to:

• Check local information about sights, buildings, and more;
• Book local trips in advance or on the spot;
• Ask a tour guide any trip related questions, in real time;
• Enjoy the freedom to fully plan their trips independently.

CLIENT'S BENEFITS

• Reduced development time;
• One team for both IOS and Android instead of 2 teams;
• The same functionality on both platforms;
• Easy maintenance for both apps;
• Excellent communication based on trust and quick responses to support requests or new requirements;
• Improved experience for tourists and increased extra-options purchases, which in turn increases agencies’ loyalty and attraction to TourPaq.

Product Goal

In 2014, Teilor were having their website built on a proprietary platform that was limiting both in terms of e-commerce functionality and content management possibilities.

They decided to redesign their website to offer their customers the same high-class shopping experience as they would receive in-store.

WHAT THEY DO - A national chain of jewelry stores. An e-commerce site built for growth.

Teilor is Romanian-owned brand that started out locally and grew into a chain of 25+ stylish stores in 13 Romanian cities, while also catering to the needs of international customers through their online store.

We recommended Magento as the most suitable platform for their requirements, for its stability, extensibility and great out-of-the-box functionality.

Understanding e-commerce Business Needs

We provided consultancy in choosing the technical solutions to be used and determining their infrastructure and performance optimization needs while accommodating particular requests from their part. While migrating to Magento, we developed:

• a reliable and scalable e-commerce solution with complex functionalities that would adapt to Teilor’ growing business requirements
• a migration process from the old website to Magento, that avoids any negative impact in terms of SEO
• automation of processes and integration with their ERP

Benefits of the New Website

• Personalized responsive design, for an improved shopping experience on mobile phones and tablets
• Multi-site, multi-language setup, with custom SEO-friendly English store URLs
• Custom product catalog import procedures, importing the content from the previous website and preserving the authority in search engines
• Automation of tasks (synchronization with Teilor' ERP, automatic prices updates based on multiple criteria like gold karat tier prices)
• A dedicated hosting solution optimized for performance
• Custom category pages, with smart product filters and mixed product attributes
• Subtle and stylish animations, tooltips and visual effects
• Tailor-made store locator functionality, mapping of the catalog products with the physical stores

Project Info

We went the extra mile to migrate their product catalog while still retaining their Google authority, by indexing thousands of links - some of them manually.

The client has permanent access to an expert team that quickly finds and implements the best solution to any issue that might arise.

Their online store was built using the most advanced technology on the market, at the best value for their budget.

Complete Team:

2 Developers

1 Project Manager

1 Designer

Technology

The initial project consisted in implementing Magento 1 e-commerce platform. In 2017 we migrated the platform to Magento 2 and created a beautiful custom designed responsive interface. The new website features custom blogs and news sections, tailor-made product filtering and a simplified checkout process.

We’re integrating with Odoo ERP (Former OpenERP) for automated product imports and orders exports.

SOLUTION

We provided Teilor with consultancy on how to:

• Improve their performance on search engines
• Import and reuse their old product catalog and structure it better
• Improve the users' shopping experience
• Automate a series of administrative tasks such as price calculation and update
• Obtain a dedicated hosting solution and optimize the website for it

Product Goal - to facilitate the process of applying for visas

With a team of individuals with more than 25 years’ experience serving the diplomatic corps, the client was aware that consulates face increasing pressure to screen travelers before entry and are constrained by dwindling resources.

The scope of the application that the client had envisioned was to help both applicants and consulates, by enabling a remote and much faster application process and making applicant engagement more secure.

The idea was to combine multi-channel, applicant engagement features and “score” an application before “judgment” by the consular corps.

The client had heard of Romania’s reputation as a convenient outsourcing destination, with several providers that develop high-quality software for affordable rates, and decided to narrow down his search to our country. After screening multiple software development companies, he chose to work with us thanks to our mobile development experience and machine learning capabilities.

Initial Request

iPad prototype application that would use Optical Character Recognition to scan the machine-readable zone within a photo of the applicant’s passport.

The application would collect the passport information, such as first and last name, birth date, country, passport number, and fill them out into the appropriate spaces of the visa application forms.

The client needed the proof of concept (PoC) of the mobile app to present the idea to potential customer consulates. As the client was satisfied with the PoC, he decided to continue collaborating with Roweb on implementing the end product as well as several related products and services.

Solution: Two interfaces:

APPLICANT INTERFACE - Android, iOS, and Web

Features

• Get the data from the captured image of the passport using an OCR and image processing algorithms

• Pre-fill the email address of the user with the email used to create the account

• Autocomplete for addresses: countries and states

• Appointment for the interview directly on the app/website

• The synchronization between the app and the website

• Notify the user about the passport expiration date with 6 months in advance

• Offline support

CONSULATE INTERFACE -  Web

Features:

• Summary of the application

• Location tracking of the applicant

• If the applicant works for a UK company the system is checking if that company exists or not

• The system checks the flight reservation number

• Address validation using Google maps

  The most challenging aspect that we managed to overcome during implementation was performing OCR in various light conditions, from under-exposed to over-exposed passport details.

  Problems stemmed from the fact that some of the mobile devices used for photographing the users’ passports were not equipped with flash options and the photos were low – resolution.

  The image processing algorithms that we wrote in C++ successfully eliminated the noise in the images.

The main technologies involved in implementing the mobile application for scanning passports were:

• iOS with C and Objective-C - for the iPad application

• Android SDK with C and Java – for the Android application

• C++ - to write an image processing algorithm for the application

• Tesseract OCR - one of the most popular open-source optical character recognition (OCR) libraries, to read the information in the photos

• The machine learning algorithm interprets the information in the photos and fills out the application form with the data corresponding to each field

• OpenCV - one of the most popular libraries for computer vision tasks, was used for both mobile apps

• The gov.uk API – to validate the companies that the applicants claimed to work for

• For developing the Applicant & Manager websites: ASP.NET with MVC, Entity Framework, MS SQL Server, Bootstrap and jQuery. The presentation website was built on WordPress. Additionally, integration with Google Maps facilitates the validation of some of the information that the users entered in their visa application, such as their current and future address and the address of their employer.

• Client’s benefits from working with us:

• Access to machine learning expertise, which is generally very hard to find, especially in Romania

• Access to a dedicated team of senior mobile developers, with 5+ years’ experience in iOS and Android

• Timely deliveries: the first release was ready a month earlier than the client expected

• Excellent communication skills and flexibility

CLIENT'S NEED

nGAGE needed an enterprise application that would facilitate multi-level invoicing and talent management for non-permanent recruitment. VMS365 enables its users to manage the outsourcing process, communication and invoicing across three levels, involving multiple contractors, clients and cost centers.

OUR APPROACH

nGAGE was considering changing suppliers in order to optimize the VMS tool's performance and user interface, and upgrade the technology behind it, for faster and easier maintenance. Gauge recommended us, as they knew from our previous collaborations that we were up to the task.

We took over the project after only two days of knowledge transfer and began to optimize the application, which hadn't been designed for speed and performance on a high data volume.
 

SOLUTION

We optimized the software and completely changed the user interface, in terms of design and ease of use. The main challenge was the high volume of legacy code that needed to be changed, but in the end, we created a fast, high performing and easy to maintain vendor management system.

We suggested and implemented the best technical solutions for the features and functionalities that nGAGE requested:

• candidates' profiles management
• message board
• jobs' submissions, approvals, outsourcing status, locations, and rates
• placements' status, starting and ending dates
• timesheets, time logs, and approvals
• invoices - payment info, no. of hours, rates, expenses, shifts and approvals

  The technology upgrade involved:

• ASP.NET
• jQuery
• SQL Reporting
• SQL Server
• Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX
• WebAPI
• CSS3
• HTML5
• Knockout
• RabbitMq
• ElasticSearch

• We've worked on this project for a year and it's still an ongoing collaboration. The project team we provide consists of:

• 1 PM
• Between 3 and 8 back-end developers and front-end developers (depending on the time frame)
• 1 mobile developer
• CLIENT'S BENEFITS:
• high-level expertise across multiple technologies
• timely responses and efficient communication
• great quality - cost ratio

CLIENT'S NEED

Our client needed to replace a desktop solution for real estate companies with a web-based and mobile-first solution while migrating all of the data.

Our client is a leading software company from Belgium, focused on real estate and our collaboration with them started in 2004, making it our longest standing partnership.

The company's main product is a Customer Relationship Management software, designed for the real estate sector, that we built for them and continued to improve through an ongoing development process, where together with the client we discuss workflows, do the necessary planning, identify ways to improve processes and add useful features.

The client needed to upgrade the application and have it built mobile-first in order to be able to access other markets outside of Belgium, particularly in Romania. At the same time, they needed to seamlessly migrate approximately 600 Belgian real estate companies in their existing user database into the new application.

INITIAL REQUEST

Compared to the old version, the current CRM is completely web-based and can be easily be accessed from any device. It runs perfectly on devices with either Android or iOS, enabling the end-users - real estate agents- to save money and time and to have complete control over their work on the go.  

CHALLENGE - Mobile First Design

The new application is adapted and optimized for any Android or iOS mobile device and also allows real-time notifications, making sure that the real estate agents are always up to date with any requests from their clients.

Complete Project Team

1 UX Designer

3 Front-End

6 Back-End

1 Project Manager

The client requested a complete project team, including backend developers, front-end developers, designers, and a UX specialist.

Technologies

Technology stack for backend (C#)

API: ASP.NET Web API, Nancy FX

Caching: Memory cache, Redis

Messaging: RabbitMQ, SignalR

Monitoring: PRTG

Deployment: Octopus

Task/Scheduling: Quartz.NET

Technology stack front-end (Javascript / HTML5):

HTML5, Bootstrap

TypeScript, KnockoutJS, jQuery,

lodash, Moment

FullCalendar, eCharts, Google Places API,

Bootstrap Table, Handlebars,

Leaflet, PNotify, Select2, SweetAlert

Estate list design

This module enables real estate agencies to manage all of the properties in their portfolio. The main features in this module are:

Property database that allows automatically exporting properties to the agency's website as well as national real estate advertising portals

Complete property history, with every related event, client visit, phone calls, adverts and brochures

Action button for emailing an offer's details to its owner or to a client

Action button for adding events to the calendar

Report for the property owner, containing the complete transaction history

Activity plan that the real estate agent can customize for each particular estate

Tools to automatically and manually match offers with searches

Email module

An integrated email client uses an IMAP protocol to record and update the customer information in the WHISE CRM database with any change. All emails are automatically saved in the client's record thanks to this dynamic connection.

The module allows users to add calendar events, view conversation histories for each of their contacts, across multiple email threads, as well as filter emails based on various attributes or print them.

WIREFRAMES

For some of the application's sections, at first, we created wireframes and discussed them with the client, before continuing the design and implementation.

BI DASHBOARD

The Business Intelligence dashboard displays:

24-hour overview of the number of contracts imported from web portals, the company's website, automatically matched contracts, manually matched contracts, number of sent emails and number of created documents.

New contracts' overview - the total number as well the numbers for various time spans (last week, month or year)

Contact Sources - to help agencies identify which sales and marketing channels are most effective.

Contacts that haven't been treated yet- leads that require attention.

Benefits for the end-users

Complete mobility - access to WHISE CRM on Android and iOS

Dynamic connection between WHISE CRM and the agency's website

Option to have a mobile-responsive and SEO-optimised website developed by our team

Increased online visibility leading to more successful transactions

Dedicated tools for enabling exclusive representation

Constant access to notifications, emails, planning tool and follow-up

Client's benefits from working with us:

Our extensive experience in developing complex web solutions and a high level of professionalism ensured that deliveries were made on time

Best value for the client's budget

High flexibility and fast response time for specific requests

A wide variety of experts including designers, database developers, back-end and front-end developers

Support and seamless transition from the client's old platform to the new one