Requirement

To build native iPhone and Android apps integrated into a Magento ecommerce platform with the purpose of allowing customers within a pre-defined set of postcodes to order and pay for food in-app and have it delivered.

Key functional elements included:

• Full integration with the Magento ecommerce platform, which was customised to add functionality and meet the requirements set out by the client
• Integration with the SagePay payment system within the apps
• Items and products managed in the Magento back end ecommerce platform

Technical Solution

The native iPhone app uses a combination of Cocoa framework, standard Apple framework, and objective C and is fully integrated with the Magento ecommerce platform and SagePay’s API.

The apps were built in parallel with the build of an ecommerce website from which an API was developed.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for 4 months from initial discussions with the agency to launch and involved working closely with the agency’s project manager and creative team to define the functionality and architecture. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed requirements gathering with the agency to create a functional and technical specification for the project
• Providing advice to the agency regarding setting up merchant accounts for use with the payment system
• Identifying an ecommerce platform suitable to the requirements set out in the functional specification
• Overseeing and managing the process of having the apps listed on the app store and Android marketplace

Conclusion

The project ran very smoothly and both Kieon and the client were extremely satisfied with it. The apps have been very successful, with many more orders taken in-app than expected and there are plans to roll the delivery area out to a wider radius based on this success. Kieon continue to work with the client developing similar apps and web projects.

Requirement

To develop a unique multilingual Facebook application for global consumption on all browsers and mobile devices allowing users to inscribe a personal promise on a ring chosen from a gallery and share their promise on a friend’s Facebook wall or email it to them. The application also required Google Maps integration to allow users to plot their location on a global map.

Key functional elements included:

• Integration of third party functionality such as Google maps API to correctly position locations and allow users to be displayed in clusters on the map
• Functionality using Flash for desktop browsers and HTML 5 on mobile devices to allow users to create personalised content and post it to their own or a friends wall
• Facebook integration including functionality to auto detect a user’s location and display content and language accordingly

Technical Solution

The content with the app is managed using the Sitefinity content management system and the application combines multiple technologies including HTML, .Net, Flash, CSS and JavaScript to achieve the necessary functionality required by the client.

Additionally the project required a significant amount of integration with external APIs.

Project Mechanics

Working very closely with the end client, the project took place over a three month period from initial scoping to launch. Key stages of the project included:

• Working closely with the end client’s internal teams to develop a comprehensive functional and technical specification
• Developing an administration module allowing the end client to update content within the app using their existing main website content management system without needing to use any Facebook functionality
• Full multi-browser testing including testing on mobile devices

Conclusion

Working closely with the end client, Kieon created an app that exactly met the brief, whilst providing a user-friendly method of allowing non-technical users to update content during the course of the promotion.

The promotion was a great success, with user registration far exceeding the expectations of the client. The final solution was exceedingly well received by the end client’s offices around the globe and Kieon continued to provide support for the application during the course of the promotion and works with the end client on its other projects.

Requirement

To develop a subscription-based interactive online community and educational website for children to impart information on geography and world culture.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing a secure online community to allow schools and school children to communicate with each other in a highly controlled and moderated environment
• Developing an interactive resource for geography information, to be used by both schools and students
• Integration of Google Maps functionality with content uploaded by the end client to produce an interactive map that teaches users about specific geographical areas
• Developing a site that displays a full spectrum of rich content, from interactive games to maps and video content

Technical Solution

The general website content was developed using PHP and MySQL and content managed through WordPress. Additionally a significant amount of bespoke PHP code was created to integrate Google Maps functionality and to develop the community aspects of the site.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for 8 months from initial planning to launch, and involved working closely with designers and the end client. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed requirements definition both prior to and post the commencement of development
• Working in a semi-agile project-approach to adapt to changing functionality requirements
• Developing templates for the end client’s team to populate with rich content
• Developing functionality to allow users of the free trial to view specific content, and allow full access on a subscription only basis
• On-going application development and expansion upon original requirements

Conclusion

Kieon was able to work collaboratively with the client, defining functionality as development progressed and remaining within the pre-agreed timeline and budget. As a result, the client was more than satisfied with the end product.

The website has been a huge success, with subscriptions far exceeding the expectations of the end client, and it recently won the BETT Award for Primary Digital Content. Kieon continue to work with the end client in expanding and supporting the site’s functionality.

Requirement

To implement a new design to the end client’s existing global employee intranet site reflecting revised corporate branding and including an entirely new look and feel, fonts and other styling elements.

Technical Solution

The intranet is built on the Microsoft SharePoint 2003 platform. Working within this, Kieon modified the relevant page templates and style sheets to implement the rebranded designs.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for two months from initial planning to delivery, and involved working very closely with the agency’s creative and project management teams. Key stages of the project included:

• Detailed requirements gathering with the agency to identify the changes needed and how they should be implemented
• Creating a copy of the Intranet in a local development environment on which to implement the styling changes and then packaging and deploying the changes back to the client’s environment
• Modifying the intranet page templates and style sheets to achieve the desired changes

Conclusion

By working very closely with the agency, Kieon were able to ensure the project was delivered on time and exactly to the specifications of the end client. In transferring a copy of the intranet website to a local hosting environment in which to modify the page templates, Kieon were able to guarantee a smooth transition from the existing design to the updated one, without disruption to day to day users.

The end client was extremely pleased with the end result and continues to be a major client of both the agency and Kieon.

Requirement

To build a global ecommerce solution to integrate directly into the end client’s global fulfilment partners systems. The solution was a first for Kieon, the fulfilment partner and end client alike. Site editors needed to be able to take product data from the fulfilment company’s systems and add rich content (user reviews, images, etc), for display on the website to create a richer user experience than the fulfilment partner’s data provided alone.

Additionally, there was a requirement to provide a brochureware solution for markets where the end client didn’t sell directly (a website toolkit/template) that could be used by distributors to create a coherent version of the end client’s global brand.

Key functional elements included:

• Direct real time integration with a third party global fulfilment solution
• Dynamically displaying product data according to language and territory
• Integration with other third party systems including user ratings and a separate product support database and forum

Technical Solution

The foundation for the application was a Sitefinity CMS integrated with a MS SQL 2008 database and JavaScript elements on the front end.

The CMS was used as a foundation for the application with a significant amount of customised .net modules created to integrate with the fulfilment partner and also provide the site administrators with the ability to edit all content including a wealth of detailed product data used on the site in multiple languages.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for 9 months from initial planning to launch and involved working closely with agency and technical teams from both the end client and their fulfilment partners. Some key stages of the project included:

• In-depth assessment of requirements with the end-client to fully understand the mechanics of their processes and systems
• Detailed planning of the database structure to ensure that it worked seamlessly with the data structure of the global fulfilment partner
• Prototyping to ensure that the proposed integration of the fulfilment company’s systems could take place
• Standard site development and localisation across multiple languages
• On-going application development and support

Conclusion

The site was well received and proved to be exceedingly successful, with the end client seeing up to a 30% increase in sales in territories where the new site was launched.

Kieon are currently in the process of rolling the new site and improved functionality out in 22 additional territories.

Requirement

To develop a global brand Facebook page catering for users across all territories in which the end client operates.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing code for each of the local markets to showcase unique competitions and events using IP recognition to redirect users to their country-specific page and deliver content in the appropriate language
• Developing a custom poll module allowing users to vote on topics selected by the end client in a more detailed way than currently provided by Facebook
• Developing a unique application allowing users to inscribe a personal promise on a ring chosen from a gallery and share this with a friend via Facebook or email
• Custom ‘find a retailer’ functionality was built, integrating with the client’s main website database and the Google maps API to deliver a user-friendly store finder experience

Technical Solution

The page incorporates HTML, .NET, JavaScript and CSS elements in delivering the content required by the end client. All the content is managed using the Sitefinity CMS to make the administration as simple as possible.

Additionally bespoke back end modules were built within the site’s CMS to manage the news and polls functionality included on the page.

Project Mechanics

The project involved working very closely with the agency client and the end client’s internal teams and ran for four months from initial planning and requirements gathering with the end client to delivery and launch of the Facebook page and associated applications. Key stages of the project included:

• A detailed requirements gathering exercise was conducted with the end client and agency to define the functionality and scope of the project
• Bespoke code to display content in the appropriate language based on the location of the user was developed
• Rebuilding the entire page to be displayed in the timeline layout on Facebook
• On-going application maintenance and support

Conclusion

Working in close partnership with the client from the outset of the project, we were able to develop a Facebook experience that not only completely met the original brief but evolved during the project to create a richer, more user-friendly experience, which was then reconceived to be presented in Facebook’s timeline layout.

The Facebook page was extremely well received by the end client and user registrations greatly exceeded the original target they had set. In addition the client received enquiries from other brands to develop similar pages and applications such as those in place on the page for other market segments. We continue to provide support for the page and work with both the client and end client on other projects.

Requirement

To develop a secure Microsoft SharePoint intranet solution to give the end client’s employees access to a full range of company sensitive information. As the end client had no existing intranet, Kieon built the entire solution and also advised the client on how best to display the content using SharePoint.

Key functional elements included:

• Integration with Microsoft Active Directory to display employee information dynamically within unique landing pages developed to showcase each department within the organisation
• Developing bespoke functionality that integrates with Microsoft Active Directory to allow users to augment their basic profile data to create a social media style profile on the Intranet
• The usual SharePoint functionality of a secure document library allowing users to post documents and comments for users of the site to access with differing permissions levels controlled by the site administrators and further integrated into the client’s existing systems

Technical Solution

The application was built on the Microsoft SharePoint 2010 platform integrated with a Microsoft Active Directory database.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for a total of 4 months from initial detailed scoping to delivery and involved very close cooperation with the agency and end client’s IT and communications departments during all stages of the project. Some key stages of the project included:

• A detailed requirements gathering exercise was conducted with the end client and agency to create a full functional and technical specification for the project
• Final configuration of the client’s live environment and delivery of the final release for the first phase
• Providing on-going support of the live site from a technical and administrative perspective and further evolving the final site post-delivery as part of a second phase of development

Conclusion

By working very closely in partnership with the agency, we were able to satisfy all of the requirements outlined by the end client’s internal teams and deliver a Microsoft SharePoint 2010 solution that provided a rich and interactive user-friendly experience for employees.

The site has been extremely well received by the end client and has been a huge success both technically and through meeting its organisational goals and we are now working with the client on phase 2 of the project to expand its functionality and reach even further.

Requirement

To build a series of HTML emailers to a very tight schedule but with the highest degree of accuracy based on the requirements set out by the end client to promote their products and acquire new website members.

Key functional elements included:

• Standard HTML emailers built to work with the usual email client combinations of Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, AOL mail and Outlook 2003 & 2007
• Kieon managed the delivery and deployment of the entire campaign through a third party broadcast system
• Providing detailed and specific tracking information through the third party system to meet the needs of the end client

Technical Solution

The emailers were developed in HTML4 and were built to adhere to the strict coding guidelines of the agency.

For deployment of the emailers the agency opted to use Kieon’s third party email delivery partner. Kieon managed this process on the agency’s behalf.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for 6 weeks from an initial scoping workshop to the end of the campaign and involved working very closely with the agency to deliver each email to a tight deployment schedule. Due to the success of initial deployments, the number of emailers required and duration of the campaign were expanded beyond the initial planned programme. Typically the turnaround for each emailer was 1 – 2 days. Some key stages of the project included:

• Working with the agency to plan resource flexibility to ensure that the variable number of emailers required could be delivered as required and deployed on time
• Working with a third party partner to provide management, delivery and tracking of the entire campaign

Conclusion

The project required an extremely flexible approach to resource planning and allocation to allow for the variable number of emailers that had to be developed and deployed.

The campaign was especially successful and saw response rates far beyond the initial targets set out by the end client. Kieon continue to work with the agency and end client on similar projects on an on-going basis.

Requirement

To build a series of HTML emailers on very tight timescales but with the highest degree of accuracy based on the requirements set out by the end client to promote their services to its premium clients across the globe.

Key functional elements included:

• Standard HTML emailers built to work with the usual email client combinations of Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, AOL mail and Outlook 2003 & 2007
• Emailers supplied to the end client with all of the appropriate tags required to upload directly to the company’s email systems

Technical Solution

The emailers were developed in HTML4 and were tailored to adhere to the strict coding guidelines of the agency.

Once uploaded to their systems, the end client’s email broadcasters managed deployment of the emailers to their premium clients directly.

Project Mechanics

The initial project ran for a total of two months from initial scoping to the end of the campaign and involved working closely with the agency to deliver each email to a rigid schedule. The exact number of emailers required was not fully defined at the start of the project and typically the turnaround for each emailer was 1 – 2 days. Some key stages of the project included:

• Working with the agency to plan resource flexibility to ensure that the variable number of emailers required could be delivered as required and deployed on time

Conclusion

The project required a highly flexible approach to resource planning and allocation to anticipate the variable number of emailers that had to be developed.

The campaign was very successful and saw very positive response rates from email recipients. Kieon continue to work with the agency and end client on similar projects on an on-going basis.

Requirement

To develop an ecommerce website enabling users to earn money recycling devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and digital cameras.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing bespoke code to integrate with industry standard electronic device databases (CNET feeds)
• Developing a user-friendly and secure administration system to allow both the end client and their processing partners to process and manage the entire lifecycle of recycling electronic devices
• Integrating the system directly with the end client’s multiple payment gateways and systems

Technical Solution

The project was developed using entirely custom PHP code integrated with a MySQL database and using HTML and JavaScript for the user interface.

Additionally the project required a significant amount of integration both with external APIs and web services, raw data feeds and third party systems with no defined integration path.

Project Mechanics

Working very closely with the agency, end client and the end client’s technical fulfilment partners, the project took place over a one year period. Key stages of the project included:

• Working with the end client to develop a detailed functional and technical specification
• Developing prototypes of the look and feel and key functionality of the site to ensure that the various different external data and pieces of functionality worked seamlessly together before the main build started
• Working with the end client to create the most efficient and admin-user-friendly method of tracking price and recycling trends and enable administrators to make price changes ranging from a single device to a site wide price update at the touch of a button
• Planning the subsequent build phases and evolution of the site post launch

Conclusion

The project was exceedingly well received and Kieon worked with the client in development support and on-going maintenance for several years. The end client ultimately sold the branding concept to a private equity company in 2011.