Client Testimonials Everything Everywhere My T-Mobile
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Project Type: Customer Self Serve Application Customer: T-Mobile Platform: iPhone/Android Project Overview: Everything Everywhere, formed from the merger of T-Mobile and Orange, decided that there should be a T-Mobile-branded version of the Orange self serve application, allowing all of their users to view balances and itemised bills on their smartphones. To take the application to market swiftly, T-Mobile asked Penrillian to create the app for both iPhone and Android platforms using shared Orange source code where possible. Our designers hadn't created any apps before and focused on the server-side. When we asked Penrillian if they would work with us on the mobile side, there was a real instant team spirit. It went extremely well.” Hannah Beal, Device Self Serve Specialist, Your Orange. The Challenge Penrillian quickly realised that while access to source code would help shorten development time to a few weeks, there were other issues to be resolved, including T-Mobile security requirements. This meant that the initial spec was amended throughout the project, making it perfect for Penrillian's versatile Agile development methodology. It also involved working closely with an extended customer team comprising both Orange and T-Mobile members. “Because of the shortage of time available, we all had to knit together very quickly. Penrillian's continuous tracking of project progress and updated priorities was extremely important. We also talked through testing at every stage with them, which was really helpful.” Hannah Beal, Device Self Serve Specialist, Your Orange. Objectives
What we did: T-Mobile saw the project very much as a straightforward re-branding exercise but as Penrillian began to analyse, rationalise and adapt existing Orange source code, it became clear that there were commonalities but also many differences between the old and new systems. Penrillian had to accommodate substantial changes to the data format (from XML to JSON), data structures and APIs, and had to ensure these changes were implemented consistently in both languages (Java and Objective-C). Penrillian also reviewed the UI spec and it became clear that many of the iPhone and Android human interface guidelines could be better applied. Penrillian advised and educated Everything Everywhere and guided them towards the kind of consistent and standards-compliant design that makes good mobile applications easy to use. In order to meet T-Mobile’s stringent security criteria, Penrillian implemented device-specific features to ensure the safe storage of personal information and its transmission over the air. Throughout all of this, Penrillian’s Agile approach proved ideal for tracking the twin Android/iPhone development through many spec changes without affecting the overall project time or cost. Hannah said “It was clear that the Agile approach made things much faster, although the security approval held us back. I think it was the daily calls to keep pace with changes and issues that gave us the confidence that nothing was being forgotten and made a tight timetable possible.” Results: T-Mobile was able to offer its Everything Everywhere service to pay-as-you-go and contract mobile customers in line with the launch of its back office service. The app development was completed within four weeks with final sign-off from a satisfied customer. “Penrillian gave us a clear insight into what needed to be done. Their team was phenomenal over turnaround times when issues were highlighted, adding expertise, ideas, advice and working to deadlines and budgets. “From the start they added value not only to the back-end but also by advising on best-practice with front-end design. Later, once they were very aware of key security issues, they assessed problems quickly and advised us on alternative ways to resolve risks and create practical fixes. They quite simply turned the whole thing around.” Elliott Lawrence, Online Self Serve Manager, My T-Mobile. Click here to download this case study in PDF format
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