Customer: BlackBelt

Project Type: AntiTheft Application

Platform: Android

Product Introduction

BlackBelt AntiTheft is an application that allows users to remotely disable their smartphone if it’s lost or stolen. It’s simple to use but has a range of innovative features that protect the phone and the data on it. The application automatically notifies the phone’s owner if anyone changes the SIM card. The owner can even remotely lock their phone or delete all the information contained on it. The application gives the handset’s exact location if the phone is gps enabled.

“Penrillian were an obvious partner based on their extensive experience of developing mobile software and their ability to get our Android product to market quickly.”
PETER HARRISON, BLACKBELT

The Challenge

BlackBelt were already recognised for their popular BlackBelt AntiTheft application, but customers were clamouring for a version that would work on Android phones. BlackBelt wanted an Android version and they wanted to get it to market fast. BlackBelt had never developed an Android application in-house so they needed to work with a partner to develop it. They wanted a company with expertise in developing for Android, who could guide them through the process and work closely with their technical team. But they also wanted to stay in control. Race against time Customer demands were rising all the time so there was added time pressure - BlackBelt needed to get to market quickly, cost effectively and with an application that people would want to buy. BlackBelt presented Penrillian with the following objectives:

Client Objectives

• Develop an Android version of BlackBelt AntiTheft to meet growing customer demands.
• Develop an application which fully uses the capabilities of the Android platform.
• Work with a partner who would integrate into the BlackBelt team.
• Get the application product into the Android marketplace.
• Develop a UI and user experience similar to that of the existing products.

Method Deployed

BlackBelt had a fairly fixed idea of what the application would look and feel like, based on their applications for Symbian and Windows Mobile. But they were keen to add further functionality that was unique to the Android operating system.

Collaboration and Communication

Penrillian provided the perfect solution, using an agile approach to continually push the project forward. Through regular contact with BlackBelt, Penrillian prioritised tasks and feedback, regularly reporting on progress and ensuring any issues or stumbling blocks were resolved quickly. New iterations were released weekly, followed by a teleconference so the customer could test and critique the new features. The developers at Penrillian incorporated this feedback into the next week’s release, enabling the application to evolve and grow well beyond the original job specification.

“Regular communication between Penrillian and BlackBelt ensured that the application evolved and improved week by week in terms of both functionality and user experience. BlackBelt’s active engagement with the Agile progress meant the project was kick-started rapidly and momentum was maintained throughout.”
MARC MORRISON, PENRILLIAN CONSULTANT ENGINEER.

Benefits of Android experience

10 years of mobile development means Penrillian know how to reach the full potential of every platform. This wasn’t just a rewrite; it was a whole new application.
Penrillian added extra features to make full use of Android. They integrated with the platform’s notification system to inform users that their product licence has expired. Then they adapted the user interface from existing platforms to give it the standard Android pop-up menus and tabs.

Result

The whole process, from the initial brief to commercial deployment, took approximately 4 weeks. The finished application hit the market on time, on budget and far in advance of the original spec.

Download application here.

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