Mobile App Development Case for Work Ahead Survey

survey · finland

Work Ahead is a technology company that specializes in conducting surveys to assess working conditions within enterprises. Using video surveys that are accessible to all, they gather data directly from workers worldwide. This information helps increase transparency about real-life conditions, which companies can then share with their investors and customers.

Client Requirement

Our task was to develop an application that conducts anonymous video surveys, enabling us to collect valuable employee feedback on workplace-related issues efficiently and securely. Requirement was to have a completely autonomous application with the cached videos and answers to them, which may be gathered and stored before uploading them. Also, application required to work evenly on various devices.

Technology Stack

BLoC, freezed, firebase firestore, firebase cloud functions, firebase storage, video_player (volume_controller, path providers), hive, connectivity_plus.

Outcomes

Video Surveys

The app utilizes video technology to capture responses directly from users, this feature is particularly useful in contexts where traditional text-based surveys might be inadequate due to literacy barriers or the need for more nuanced, expressive feedback. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, enabling respondents who may not be familiar with technology to easily record and submit their responses.

Customization and Flexibility

The app allows for the creation of customizable survey forms, supporting various question types such as multiple-choice, open-ended, star ratings, and Net Promoter Score (NPS) questions.

Multi-User Access

Different levels of access for various stakeholders, such as workers, coordinators, and administrators, allowing tailored access to data and functionalities based on user roles.

Real-Time Data Collection and Analysis

The app enables the collection of data in real-time, which can then be analyzed to provide immediate insights. This includes the use of business intelligence dashboards for visualizing data trends and insights.

Offline Functionality

The app supports offline data collection, which is crucial for remote areas with limited internet connectivity. Data is synchronized once the device is back online.

Security and Compliance

Ensures secure data handling and compliance with relevant data protection regulations, providing features like data encryption and user authentication.

Integration with Other Tools
The app can integrate with other enterprise tools and systems, such as Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics, for seamless data flow and enhanced functionality.

Challenges

Challenges

Complex Database System

We tackled the challenge of parsing data and retrieving it from various sources. Specifically, in Firebase Firestore, file paths and survey configurations were stored separately. Our task was to accurately select the correct configuration, retrieve the necessary information from Firestore using the file’s name, and subsequently present this data to the user.

App Caching

We were tasked with enabling the app to function autonomously without an internet connection, storing numerous surveys and responses. By implementing caching for video downloads and uploads, we ensured quick access to content without needing to reload from the server each time. This approach optimized resource usage and enhanced app speed.

Incremental Downloading

To ensure efficient data usage and faster load times, we implemented incremental downloading. This method involves downloading only the resources not already present on the device. If parts of the survey data were previously downloaded and stored either on the device or the server, the system would only fetch the missing or updated portions, preventing unnecessary data transfer and accelerating the process for the user.

Video-player integration

We ensured seamless video playback by enabling videos to play sequentially and continuously. All videos were cached to guarantee smooth playback and avoid viewer confusion. A significant challenge was parsing the layout data, which was provided in HTML and CSS file formats.

Adaptability for different Android devices
We ensured that the application was adjusted and performed well across various screen sizes and devices. We included not only the most commonly used devices but also such models as Nexus, Motorola, and Nokia, which have unique appearances and function differently from other Android devices.

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