SimbirSoft

In 2022, we joined the development of GasPoint, a digital fintech platform that helps motorists convert their cars for natural gas vehicle (NGV) fuel.

Product
GasPoint is a platform with a set of services. They turn NGV conversion into an ecosystem, with a common platform used for processing the documents, estimating the costs of applications, tracking their status, etc.

Task
Developing from scratch:

• a web application for corporate car owners;
• a web application for GasPoint managers;
• a mobile app for car service partners.

GasPoint ensures:

• collaboration between car owners, car service stations and product suppliers;
• application for installment plan to convert a vehicle;
• document flow for the service.

Solution
Development and testing

To manage this project, we used a cascade model. In this case, the development stages follow one after the other – when one stage is completed, its output becomes the input for the next stage.

We prioritized the tasks. The following features were of primary importance for implementation:

• dashboard with introductory information for users;
• process of signing documents;
• installment plan calculator;
• installment payment schedule.

At the same time, we were eliminating critical bugs, which could prevent displaying the status of documents or their downloads.

The application was built in a Docker container and deployed to Yandex.Cloud. Just before the release, Microsoft ended its relationship with Yandex - we had to abandon the Windows virtual machine. This created a number of challenges, since CryptoPro, a service for electronic document flow, is designed only for Windows OS. To address the problem, we studied the relevant documentation within a short period and created JCP, our own service based on CryptoPro.

A QA specialist tested all features of the platform ranging from authorization to signing documents. Overall, the project involved writing more than 600 cases and identifying more than 70 bugs, with most of them fixed.

Design

We had three tasks:

• designing primary prototypes for key application scenarios;
• defining the project style;
• creating design concepts and component libraries.

The design priorities were determined as the business prepared and clarified its scenarios. For example, when developing an application for car service stations, we held meetings with the customer, where we clarified the details of current business processes involving the vehicle conversion and eventual hurdles for the work.

For all products, there was a particular focus on document management, including the signing, approval, verification of documents, and processing of their errors. For the mobile app, we also prepared the visual materials for the Google Play and App Store.

Delivering deliverables
In MVP, we implemented a close relationship between the car owners, GasPoint managers and service stations for their successful communication across the vehicle conversion process.

The IT solution of ViewEvo, a Russian startup, can recognize products in photos and videos, and most importantly, find them in online stores. SimbirSoft has designed a mobile app for ViewEvo so that ‌users can become familiar with this innovative and smart algorithm.

Our partner implemented a technology for interactive interaction with video content. The algorithm enables you to select and recognize various products, such as clothing, shoes, or accessories, in ‌photos, videos, or TV broadcasts. Then it can find these or similar products in the online stores of partners. Now, it's easier than ever to model your image to the latest fashion, find the gadgets or any other product that you have seen.

We started by auditing UX/UI of the existing earlier solution. We found a few flaws in the UI that could pose problems for users, such as:
- Low screen contrast;
- Inconsistent approach to text layout;
- Redundant elements on the screen.
In terms of UX, we found some bottlenecks that made it harder to learn how to use the app.
These issues caused the algorithm to be non-transparent, which could discourage users from adopting it. When designing the new interface solution, we considered all the flaws of the previous version and, together with the customer, identified the necessary changes.

To make this mobile app more user-friendly and intuitive, we redesigned its key sections.
- Home Screen. Main features: downloading photos to recognize products; navigating the sections (video, news, favorites); returning to the menu with the personal account, technical support, and other settings.
Video. In this section, the user can watch live partner TV channels and stories already released on video platforms. For some videos, there are prepared sets of images.
- News. This is where you can find various articles with image selections and relevant news items. Later, the section will include such categories, as TV, Movies/Serials, Social Media.
- Favorites. This section displays Products and Images saved by the user. The yellow button is available at any time, which allows you to find the desired image.

How does it work?
Let's assume you want to identify a clothing item or accessory worn by the main character in a movie or TV show. To do this, click the yellow button at the bottom of the app screen. This will display the images of products found in online stores.
You can click the card, go to the product catalog, and set up search filters, such as, by brand or product type. The app also prompts you to assess whether the product matches your request.

Product-centric approach to software development:
After preparing layouts, we tested the new UI and made additional adjustments. For example, we increased the contrast level of inactive menu items, so that ‌users can immediately realize where there are.
Finally, we implemented an introductory welcome screen introductions for onboarding. This is where ‌users can learn how the app works and what its purpose is.

Additional tools:
Developing the UI for the app is one of the many stages of our collaboration with the customer. We created a landing page about ViewEvo technology, which is used in the app and can become a framework for new IT products. The main modules of the website are described in two languages:
- audio content recognition,
- search for similar products,
- software for manual markup of content, and the ViewEvo app.
We implemented an interface for embedding the widget into media players. It will be available during TV broadcasts to enable viewers to select an image while watching the show.

Delivering deliverables:
- Complete set of layouts and states (more than 280 screens) developed for the app;
- Design system based on UI Kit created for fast and streamlined communication between designers and the development team;
- Layouts created for the AppStore and Google Play, which the users can see before downloading the mobile app;
- Landing page created for the product;
- Widget interface developed for media players;
- Lightweight UI developed for web version of the app, including the desktop version.
New UI helps to navigate the app and makes it more user-friendly. All products of the customer have a common unique style to associate them with each other.

A large multinational energy corporation contacted us to create a mobile solution for a sales boost.

We carried out UI/UX audit, a competitive analysis, users polls, and testing to provide users with the best service and solution. Within just two months we created the mobile application that allows customers to quickly select automobile oil and boosted sales indicators by three times.

Special social network for housing search. It helps to the people searching for and leasing the houses to meet. The system picks housing according to lifestyle, interests and preferred district given at the registration. It is integrated with Facebook, Gmail, WhatsApp, Stripe, RRD, Mailchimp.

The portal works in several cities of the USA and North America: Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Philadelphia, Toronto.

In one week, we created the concept of a simple mobile training system. The app is designed for the 3 million subscribers of fitness blogger Igor Voitenko and a wide range of users as an additional sales channel. Within 10 months, we developed the design and implemented the MVP.

Tasks and Objectives

We needed to "pack" Igor's recorded training system into a mobile app and include additional functions and ways to motivate people to engage in physical activity. In addition, we were tasked with developing the English version of the app.

Solution

Together with the customer, we spent a lot of time studying the needs of users and determining the structure of the future application. It is based on a training schedule with video lessons, a nutrition program with video recipes, a diary of achievements and tips on personal development.

We developed the Russian version of the application from scratch: prototypes and screen maps, design, prototypes of the administrator's part, the logic of content arrangement and operation of the app, server and backend parts.

After that, we implemented an additional app in English. It did not copy the Russian version, but was slightly different from it. For example, we provided integration with a tool that analyzes the effectiveness of advertising and promotion, and created a more up-to-date design.

The dedicated team included a project manager, an analyst, a UX/UI designer, iOS, Android, Backend, and DevOps developers, as well as quality assurance (QA) specialists.

We arranged the process based on the iterative SCRUM methodology, regularly held meetings with our partner and demonstrated the performed work and the implemented functions.

Results

• Flexible application architecture.
• Using the MVVM pattern and the ReactiveX library. Thanks to this, the application became lightweight and flexibly modifiable, and the immersion of new developers in the project was quite simple.
• A player with preload, which allows users to view video tutorials as quickly as possible.

We managed to create a product that fully met the business requirements of the customer and the needs of users. In the first month after its publication, the app became widely known:

• Over 50,000 downloads
• Over 4,100 ratings and reviews
• TOP popular apps in the Health & Fitness category

We developed an MVP from scratch for one of the largest banks in Russia. In this case study, we will tell you how we managed to go from developing an idea to being ready for production in 1 month.

Task
Our long-time customer chose us to develop an online service for the promotion of credit services. It was important for us to test business hypotheses and provide the customer with a ready-to-use product as soon as possible. Together with the customer, we decided that it would be an Android application in the format of an interactive quiz. The app users will be able to:
- create a repair plan,
- get the checklist,
- calculate the budget based on ?loan terms.

Our task was to explore the idea and develop a product that can attract new customers and increase sales.

Solution
We faced a strict deadline of 1 month and an ambitious task to define the requirements and develop the MVP from scratch. After analyzing the hypotheses and examining the user profile, we showed our business model to the customer and made sure that our ideas resonated with the ?ustomer's vision.

Under very tight deadlines, our team, led by a project manager, chose the Lean Startup approach, which allowed us at minimum cost to test the hypothesis that the product will be attractive to users. To align the product vision with the customer, we built a user story map to highlight valuable features of the future product and improve the user experience.

In one week, we developed design layouts, paying special attention to the main page of the quiz, which corresponds to the conservative corporate style of the bank and at the same time reflects the gaming nature of the product. Additionally, we designed the administrator's personal account for editing the quiz parameters. Our experts organized effective work with the Customer's design system within the team. Once the visual part of the future application was approved by the customer, we began development.

We analyzed the business requirements for the product and decided not to develop the backend. The system's specific features allowed us to immediately switch to designing based on the previously prepared React layouts. We deployed the Android app, added WebView to it, and configured it to display the quiz. We added animations to increase usability and implemented the ability to send SMS messages to users with the quiz results by setting up integration with the gateway on the customer side.

Before the release, we optimized the app for smooth operation on tablets. In addition, we added a repair calculator to the quiz and implemented the option of granular customization of settings. As a result, we exceeded the initial scope of tasks.

Result
Within 1 month, we successfully implemented the planned functionality and several additional options and stayed within our budget.

The app allows users to:
- customize the input data by choosing individual repair characteristics: ceiling height, room area, availability of furniture and appliances, etc.;
- get a visual version of the project, selected with the specified budget;
- calculate the cost of repairs and credit terms;
- get the result with a checklist and a repair calendar.

Passwork is a manager of corporate passwords. Its task is to collect in one place, structure and secure passwords used by employees of a company. Among the main advantages of the service is the customized configuration of password access levels and the option to invite colleagues to teams. Passwork's customers are the largest Russian banks, IT and telecom companies, industrial enterprises and start-ups.

Task
The customer chose us to finalize the product installation program (installer). We were expected to automate it, as well as to facilitate its installation and update on Windows Server.

Our tasks were:
- solving the problem of updating the product without re-releasing a new version of the installer each time;
- adding the option to install the product both offline and online;
- developing a mechanism to migrate users who previously installed the product manually.

Solution
The customer's product installer is a non-standard application with a custom interface and functionality. Installation, migration and update modes include many steps to configure access rights, install the necessary applications and components, create tasks and backups, as well as migrate data of the previous app version.

After determining the product requirements, we came up with a detailed work plan, which included:

- exploring the installer's current code base;
- redesigning the PHP installer;
- implementing the option to upload a new version of the Passwork website in the archive through the Customer's API;
- developing an online/offline installation and update mode;
- automatic SSL configuration;
- automatic deployment of the Passwork website with MongoDB and PHP installation;
- adding a custom GUI;
- mechanism for generating certificates and installing the website/certificates;
- adding ?migration mode;
- adding backup copies of the website and its database;
- project rebranding (updating the page design).

Result
We improved the installer according to the requirements and added the functionality the Customer needed. We offered several solutions for some tasks to mitigate the risk of errors. We ensured thorough testing and debugging of each mode of the installer. Testing was also conducted on different operating systems and configurations.

In addition, we offered a number of UX improvements: field autocompletion, opening the necessary folders and other elements to simplify interaction with the product.

In 2020, the customer chose us to update the Sovcombank Leasing website for a growing flow of customers.

The key project areas were identified:
- website redesign with preliminary analysis of customer needs;
- development of new functions of the website and administrative panel;
- refactoring of the leasing calculator and switching to another language for convenient support.

What made the project special:
Increased requirements for the security of processes are the hallmark of the banking sector. Knowing these needs, we strive to address infrastructure configuration and test bench access issues at the start of the project to accelerate development.
To refactor the calculator, the team had to explore the procedure for calculations and transfer them to a new language, as well as update some of them. We analyzed the service algorithms and prepared business requirements and documentation for future support. As a result, we joined our efforts with the Customer to identify and implement 65 parameters for leasing calculations.

Task
It was important for the leasing company to ensure continuous availability of the website even when the load was high. To do this, we developed several implementation options based on the requirements of the security service and chose the best method together with the Customer.

The existing calculator had to be transferred to PHP. This language was chosen to speed up development, as well as because of its popularity and a large community of experts. As a result, the calculator will be easy to support and update in the future.

Solution
The service included not only calculations, but also the interaction with 1C, as well as the processing of incoming requests from internal bank systems. For ease of integration with 1C, we implemented a compact module using php SoapClient.

We built versioning into the calculator to be able to recalculate data for old requests even after the subsequent change of formulas.

Result
As a result, we solved the tasks set by the Customer. We performed an in-depth analysis of the complex service without documentation at the start. The calculator supported versioning and 1C integration. The bugfix for the elimination of development errors in our case was less than 9%, while the indicator value less than 10% is considered a positive result. In addition, we wrote very detailed documentation for the calculator to ensure its easy technical support for the Customer in the future.

We took part in developing the app for chemical plant management in the chemical industry. The Android-based system consists of a controller and a tablet. The controller, a unique product of the customer's engineers, controls the vacuum distiller. Using a tablet, a specialist manages the chemical plant operation and monitors the information coming from the sensors.

We debugged the process of getting information to the sensors and rewrote the drivers for setting the controller lever and the touch control. In addition, SimbirSoft team provided quality assurance and testing services.