Case Study - IGLUSki.com Android App


	Case Study - IGLUSki.com Android App

Jared Wiltshire

10th June 2011

Client Name : IGLU.com

Client Profile : Iglu.com is an internet based travel agency specialising in the sale of ski and snowboarding, Lapland and cruise holidays.

Project Title : IGLUSki.com Mobile App

Target Platforms : Android

Project Lifecycle : 20 weeks

Services

App development
App testing
Project Management

Architecture

IGLU in house content management system and search interface remotely interacted with from iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices.

IGLU have an internal development team who develop and manage the IGLU.com range of websites, the iPhone app required a real-time interface into IGLU’s internal systems for holiday search functions and ski offers. This project required the specification process to be managed across both Eigo and IGLU internal development teams.

Project Objectives

To redeliver the IgluSki App (iPhone) for the Android mobile platform. The objectives for the application were:

Deliver real time offers to consumers with a clear call to action.
To establish the IGLU brand within the mobile space.
To provide dynamic search functionality relevant to IGLUSki.com consumers.
Enhance consumer experience with saved search functionality for instant specific results.
Maintain content control internally at IGLU through development of a flexible app interface.
Provide functionality to dynamically adapt the application to IGLUSki.com’s requirements without app updates on the Apple app store.

Solution Approach

The key element of this project is the management of client development team working alongside the Eigo team throughout the project. IGLU’s team were developing the interfaces to suit our requirements, and the technology needs of both the iPhone environment and the effects on IGLU’s internal content management system meant many revisions of the documentation before a line of code was written.

Our strict project process provided a framework for exploring the entire project solution, including user interface requirements and technology integration before any code was written, this approach ensures valuable time is not wasted as the requirements of the project creep while development is taking place. By providing a clear communication process and ensuring the app experience was clear before construction the app development process was smooth and timely.

As the completion of the app approached early ad-hoc releases were made available to IGLU to test on their own phones and provide feedback on how elements of the app had been implemented. This user acceptance process ensures that any elements of the app that do not perform as expected can be resolved so that the app can achieve stakeholder approval.

Conclusion

We had already defined the specification and interface for the iPhone app, so we had a headstart when developing the app for the Android platform.
The application was in UAT for a long time while the customer tested aspects of the application, which meant the app release was delayed slightly.

Since launch, the app has achieved over 150 downloads and received positive reviews (average rating of 4/5 stars)

App Feedback

3 stars
"...good to have apps that show great deals..."

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