CCI Assistant

A manufacturer of equipment for validation, counting and storage of banknotes. Discover how CCI Assistant app simplifies banknote validation with a high-speed, secure, user-friendly solution, allowing businesses that extensively use cash in trading to track and handle it quickly.

Industry:

Specialty Retail

Location:

United Kingdom

Business size:

Medium and Large Enterprises

Problem and Solution Summary

The previous incarnation of the CCI Assistant mobile application suffered a feature overload and lacked support, as it had been originally developed for Windows Phone OS. The app’s slow operation and a limited number of Windows Phone devices among the user base encouraged the client to redesign the application.
Computools’ team was entrusted with developing an Android mobile application to manage cash collection, validation and counting through smartphones efficiently.

About the Client

The client is a leader in intelligent physical cash-handling solutions for the banking, retail and leisure industries. Their innovative solutions for counting, moving and protecting banknotes enhance security, increase operational efficiency and reduce shrinkage. The company’s products across the globe secure over $4 billion daily.

Outcome

Computools’ team applied their deep knowledge to carry out a professional redesign of the client’s application, improve it and strengthen it. Thanks to these efforts and the coordinated work of specialists, the client was completely satisfied with the finished product.

Several key issues we solved:
  • Made a cross-platform saving its best features
  • Increased speed, security and performance
  • Added a user-friendly interface with a streamlined flow

Business challenge

weaknesses

  • An outdated, slow and feature-overloaded mobile application
  • Poor mobile app user experience and interface design
  • Limited number of Windows Phone devices amongst the company’s user base

strengths

  • A well-established reputation among enterprise-level and SME clients
  • A high-demand product and service offering for a variety of industries
  • Experience in pioneering security solutions for cash counting, storage and protection

Business challenge

Project Completion Details and Current Arrangements

The project was successfully completed with the development of the new Android mobile application for cash-handling solutions. The key outcomes of this project included significant improvements in performance, user experience, and financial metrics. These improvements are highlighted by the statistics mentioned in the initial description, such as increased throughput, average order value, revenue, reduced checkout time and costs and enhanced business process automation.

Business challenge

Why Computools?

Computools was selected as the partner for this project due to their technical expertise, effective communication, and commitment to delivering a high-quality solution. The successful project outcomes reflect the competence and dedication of the Computools team.

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STORY IN DEPTH

The client recognised that their existing mobile application was no longer meeting the evolving demands of their customer base and the market. This realisation prompted them to seek a transformation of their digital presence.

They analysed various companies and contractors specialising in digital transformation services to ensure that their chosen partner had the necessary expertise. A key factor that set Computools apart from the competition was our deep knowledge and experience in the industry. The client recognised that Computools had a track record of successful projects in digital transformation, particularly in software development, UI/UX design, and mobile applications.

The technology stack proposed by Computools, including the use of Xamarin.Android and Xamarin.Forms, aligned perfectly with objectives for a high-performance cross-platform solution.

Project Description

The project faced the challenge of migrating from a Windows Phone application to a modern, cross-platform solution. The app required an ergonomic design and user-friendly interface to enhance user experience and streamline cash-handling processes. Security and data integrity were paramount, given the nature of cash handling and validation, requiring robust security measures.

Computools crafted a solution that leveraged a well-defined technology stack, including Xamarin.Android and Xamarin.Forms for cross-platform development, Passport.js for authentication, and efficient communication tools like Skype and Trello.

The project's specifications were meticulously outlined using a behaviour-driven development approach, ensuring the system's requirements aligned with user stories and business processes. Now, the client's multiplatform financial management mobile app, developed on the Xamarin framework, is designed to streamline financial transactions and provide users with real-time access to their financial data. This revolutionary app leverages the power of IoT (Internet of Things) technology, changing how people manage their finances.

Digital Platform & Technology

Computools’ team carefully selected the best-suited set of technologies to fulfil the client’s goal of upgrading the outdated Windows Phone application and substituting it with a high-performance cross-platform solution.

Communication Framework

We established clear and efficient two-way communication through regular email reports and Skype calls, crucial for successful digital transformation. A structured documentation environment and access to Computools’ internal task management platform enabled the client to track the project’s progress and introduce necessary changes to the initial requirements.
Skype
trello
redmine

Team

Taking the client’s requirements and the project’s specifics into account, we assembled a team of experienced software engineers, hand-picked from Computools’ talent pool to implement the digital transformation.

Business Analyst

Kate Vodolazkina

Kate is a Business Analyst at Computools with many years of experience in the field. She is passionate about working with clients to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet them. Kate has a strong understanding of business processes and is skilled at identifying and analysing requirements. She is also an effective communicator and can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Outside work, Kate enjoys reading, spending time with her family and travelling.

Team Lead

Oleg Svet

Oleg Svet
Oleg began to code in middle school, obtained an MBA degree in Computer Science, worked on commercial IT projects in 2011 and worked as a mobile developer, start-up, enterprise and full-stack developer. He joined Computools in 2013 as a Co-Founder and, firstly, CTO, then CDO. He’s interested in airsoft, cybernetics, fantasy and MMO computer games.
Oleg Svet

Xamarin developer

Vladyslav Komarov

Vladyslav has a rich history in mobile app development and is known for his expertise in building applications that run on multiple platforms. With a deep love for coding, Vladyslav is a developer and a technology enthusiast who stays up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry. He enjoys exploring new tech gadgets and experimenting with coding projects in his free time.

QA Engineer

Mariia Hrekova

Mariia has over five years of experience, expertly monitors every phase of the software development process to secure product quality and standards. She enjoys dancing and travelling.

Leam app developer

Sergey Komarov

With a strong multithreading and network programming background, Serhiy consistently enhances software efficiency and performance. Outside work, he engages in chess, honing his strategic thinking skills.

UI/UX Designer

Vika Kosar

Vika has been crafting delightful user experiences for several years. Her meticulous attention to detail and aesthetic flair shine through in every project she undertakes. Vika is committed to creating designs that look stunning and offer exceptional usability. Outside work, she's an art enthusiast, enjoys painting, and finds inspiration in exploring various forms of visual arts.

Back-end PHP developer

Bogdan Dvinin

Bogdan Dvinin
Bogdan is a seasoned Backend PHP Developer at Computools with a strong background in server-side programming. He excels in designing and implementing robust and efficient backend systems that power web applications. With a passion for coding and problem-solving, Bogdan continuously strives to optimise software performance. Beyond the world of PHP, he's an avid traveller, always seeking new adventures and cultural experiences.
Bogdan Dvinin

Story of a Team Decision

This team decision ensured the project's success by aligning technology with the project's goals.

Backstage

In the project's backstage, the team's synergy was evident through their established development flow and communication channels. They maintained a collaborative environment that fostered rapid prototyping, streamlined designs, and innovative product development. Regular feedback sessions with the client allowed them to factor in requirement changes and exchange ideas and opinions, reinforcing their creative thinking and increasing development efficiency.

Sprint Retrospective

The team engaged in a thorough retrospective after each sprint. This was a critical practice to reflect on their progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements. The retrospective allowed the team to adjust their strategies, refine their workflows, and maintain an environment of continuous improvement. This played a crucial role in enhancing their efficiency and ensuring they aligned with the project's goals

Planning Session

Before each sprint, the team conducted detailed planning sessions. These sessions involved business analysts, team leads, developers, and designers. They meticulously discussed the project's objectives, defined the user stories, and allocated roles and tasks. These planning sessions laid the foundation for the sprint's activities and ensured that everyone was on the same page regarding their responsibilities and the project's direction.

Sprint Demo

At the end of each sprint, the team conducted a sprint demo. This was a moment to showcase the progress made during the sprint, presenting the client with tangible results. It allowed the client to provide feedback and validate the work done, ensuring that it met their requirements. The sprint demo was a part of the client's involvement in the project and a way to maintain transparency and alignment.

Communication Flow

The team used a combination of tools and platforms, including Skype, Trello, Redmine and email, to establish efficient communication channels. Regular audio and video conferences with the client enabled effective communication throughout the development process. The client could closely follow the task assignment process and track the project's progress. This communication flow was integral to ensuring a smooth and collaborative project execution.

Project Management Methodology

To ensure continuous delivery and a flexible development process, the Computools team used the Kanban project management methodology. Each two-week sprint was followed by a new build, enabling just-in-time implementation of the finished project.

Project timeline

01

CONSULTING

  • Initial client engagement
  • Analysis of business processes
  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses
  • Goal setting and objective definition
  • Specification, tasks, and deadlines establishment
02

Product DESIGN

Planning
  • Business process modelling
  • Technology selection
  • User interface (UI) design
  • User experience (UX) design
  • Specification, tasks, and deadlines
  • Project architecture planning
03

Product Engineering

  • System requirements analysis
  • Assignment of roles and tasks
  • Software development
  • Code creation and refactoring
  • User interface (UI/UX) design
  • Testing and debugging
  • Verification of safety requirements
04

Launch

  • Final testing and quality assurance
  • Implementation and deployment
  • User training and onboarding
  • System rollout
  • Ongoing support and maintenance
  • User feedback collection and incorporation
  • Post-launch monitoring and enhancements

Design

The design phase is crucial in creating a user-friendly and visually appealing application. Our team designed the app's visual elements, including buttons, navigation menus and overall layout, creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface to ensure ease of use and a smooth and efficient user journey within the app.

User persona → Site map → Wireframes → user interface
cci assistant user persona

User persona

Developing a detailed user persona to understand the target audience's demographics, needs, and goals.

cci assistant site map

Site map

Creating a visual representation of the website's structure and navigation, outlining how pages are organised and connected.

cci assistant wireframes

Wireframes

Producing simplified, blueprint-like sketches of web page layouts to define the structure and content placement.

cci assistant user interface

user interface

Designing the visual elements, layout, and interactive components of the website for a user-friendly experience.

Design

Production Release

Before the release, the app underwent rigorous testing to meet quality and performance standards. This phase included functionality testing, security testing and user acceptance testing. After successful testing, the app was deployed to the chosen platforms: Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This process involved making the app available for download by end-users. To facilitate a smooth transition for users, onboarding materials, tutorials and guides were made available. This helped users understand how to use the app effectively.

The app's release was systematically rolled out to users, often starting with a controlled or limited release to monitor performance and user feedback.

Design

Ongoing Support

We proactively monitor and maintain the products we've developed. This includes addressing any technical issues, ensuring compatibility with evolving technologies, and releasing regular updates to enhance functionality and security. Our support team is readily available to assist with any questions, issues, or concerns.

As our client's business grows, we assist in scaling the product to accommodate increased demands. It involves optimising performance, expanding infrastructure, or developing new features to meet evolving needs.

We maintain an open line of communication with clients, keeping them informed about product updates, security measures, and any potential improvements. We value their input and actively seek their insights.

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