CUSTOM App DEVELOPMENT
Web App and iOS App
Introduction
With over 4.9 million apps available across the Apple App Store and Google Play, it may seem like any process can easily be managed with an off-the shelf product – but not always! Enter Symphony Software’s custom app building services which have helped transform countless businesses’ processes to maximize their efficiency just as they did for one customer who needed unique mobile/web solution. Their story serves as a testament to how powerful tailor-made apps can be in meeting specific needs that are simply impossible through existing solutions.
iOS, Web App
Aviation
Our collaboration with Air Cargo kicked off with meetings to develop scope documents for the project. After presentations, we worked together in a creative and collaborative process that helped them discover needs they weren’t aware of but were crucial for success.
For example, our team added an innovative feature which simplifies the chore of managing recurring documentation. Pilots can easily create customized documents and PDFs from pre-made forms or opt for ready-to-go templates at their disposal to meet stringent timeline requirements on revisiting paperwork over a specific period.
In addistion, pilots can now use the aviation app to stay prepared for their flights – by taking an assessment and receiving a score, they are able to respectively gauge how ready or fatigued they are before take-off. This is essential in prioritizing safety during cargo flights, as it allows pilots predict potential risks early on.
Air Cargo primarily uses Apple products and the app is mainly be used on the pilots’ iPads. This meant they wanted their app to be compatible with iOS with the ability to eventually be used on iPhones and Android devices.
Because this app was development was started almost five years ago, it was written in Swift, but our team at Symphony Software is constantly expanding our skill set. For instance, we currently do much of our work in Flutter and are working more with React, which is more efficient and powerful than most other coding languages. We recognize that you may not be familiar with app coding languages. However, since our customers are the center of all we do, we aim to maintain skills such as using the optimal coding languages that will serve our customers best.
The leaders at Air Cargo Carriers saw that we not only had the skill set to deliver them an outstanding product, but we combined those skills with phenomenal customer service every step of the way. That’s why they have continued to work with us for years to refine and extend the app to best suit their needs and expand its features. Many of our customers will start with a “Phase 1” approach and then add additional features as time and budget allow.
Air Cargo Carriers, one of the Midwests’s premier air freight providers, knew the time had come to make a digital transformation. Plagued by outdated paper forms and regulations from the aviation industry requiring data retention operations, this company saw an opportunity to bolster its competitive advantage with modern tech solutions.
After decades of relying on traditional paper forms, this air transport organization needed to make a change. Knowing that creating an efficient and regulatory-compliant pilot logbook app was outside the scope of their abilities, they sought out Symphony Software – experts in mobile app development who could craft a tool fit for their needs at an economical price. With Symphony’s aid, the company transitioned seamlessly from physical records to digital ones with no disruption to operations.
project goals
More Efficient:
One of the primary benefits of transitioning from paper to digital records is that it is more efficient. With paper records, each document must be physically filed in a specific location. This can make it difficult to find documents, as they may be misplaced or lost. With digital records, documents can be stored electronically and easily retrieved using a search function.
Reduced Costs:
Another benefit of transitioning from paper to digital records is reduced costs. Storing paper records requires physical space, which can be expensive. Additionally, paper records must be regularly maintained and updated, which requires additional manpower and resources. Digital records, on the other hand, can be stored electronically at a fraction of the cost.
Increased Accuracy:
Another benefit of transitioning from paper to digital records is increased accuracy. With paper records, there is always the potential for human error when inputting data or retrieving documents. With digital records, data is inputted into a computer system and can be easily checked for accuracy. Additionally, digital records are less likely to be lost or damaged than paper records.
Enhanced Security:
When stored properly, digital records are also more secure than paper records. Paper records can be easily lost or stolen, while digital records can be password protected and encrypted. This makes it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information.
Greater Accessibility:
Digital records are also more accessible than paper records. With paper records, individuals must be physically present in order to view them. With digital records, however, they can be accessed remotely as well as offline using a computer or mobile device
Flight records are of paramount importance, requiring top-notch precision. Pilots must keep track of their documents for a lengthy period; and to complicate things even further, the FAA or other entities could require an audit at any moment. So it’s crucial that all flight data is accurate and up-to-date!
Air Cargo Carriers faced a critical challenge to enhance their document storage and management system. In addition, as a regulated industry, the threat of third-party audits are always a possibility. They realized an up-to-date cloud application was necessary to meet the goals above and satisfy both accessibility requirements as well as reliability and security concerns. Therefore, Air Cargo Carriers invested in developing a robust electronic recordkeeping solution that would stand firm against any external scrutiny.
These were just some of many specific capabilities Air Cargo Carriers wanted from their app developer. They also wanted to maintain announcements in what they called a “safety library”. This would come with a feature where a pilot or chief engineer would receive a notification when a new document was uploaded and could acknowledge that the new or revised document had been read. It was also crucial for the app to function while offline since pilots do not have continuous connectivity throughout their flights.
We were able to develop offline capabilities so pilots could access any library or report offline and also upload new documents without an internet connection. Types of reports incorporated in the app include routine pre-flight forms and fatigue or accident reports that are filled out after an incident occurs. Different types of users can view various types of reports, whether the user is a mechanic, pilot, or administrator by their defined role in the organization.
Create a new iOS app and Web app using .net technology to be able to convert all paper forms and work flow into a digital app.
We created app design that covered the needs and requirements of the client
services
We offered the most suitable technical solution for the client’s case
A dedicated PM was responsible for meeting the project development deadlines
We helped to make the product that delivers a flawless user experience
The project’s goal was to cover a wider audience, so we started the PWA development
All apps have their back-end systems. Air Cargo App couldn’t be an exception
We helped our client by developing iOS App in Swift with offline capabilities
Every app has to be stable and meet the requirements. We did rigorous QA & testing resulting in a seemless launch
how it works
This is the core functionality of the app. Users are able to submit eight different types of reports via web or iOS app.
Every report, based on Aircargo’s ISO procedures, has its unique custom form and ability to attach photos, short videos.
Reports then go to manager for approval. Manager fills their portion of the form using admin panel.
Automatic emails and push notifications with PDFs when forms are submitted
If network or wifi is not available, as normally during flights, app stores data offline and pushes the data to the server automatically when connected.
Aircargo can now keep a digital Library of Safety Documents and send Safety Memos digitally at any time, track who has viewed them, when, who has acknowledged them and send automatic reminders to ensure they have all digital signatures on file.
Aircargo is able to upload documents via custom built editor or in a PDF format. Users get an automatic email and push notification when a document is available and once users read it, they have to acknowledge and sign it.
The whole library is also available offline for a quick reference even when crew is mid-air. Crew can even digitally sign when offline and data automatically syncs when the go online.
Users can save documents as their favorites, see due dates for acknowledgements and get automatic notifications when something is about to be past due as the system helps them to stay ahead of the game.
This is a pre-departure Risk Assessment checklist every pilot has to fill in prior to departure. This tool was developed to allow pilots and technicians to evaluate the actual risk of the flight and was based on the PAVE (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressure) check list and adapted for the type of flight (HEMS, leisure, training, passenger etc.).
The main goal was to make pilots and technicians aware that small simple situations, when combined, can raise the total risk significantly, eventually resulting in a situation so dangerous that the flight or maintenance itself is not suggested unless some of the risks are mitigated.
Aircargo with the help of Symphony Software was able to convert an excel based tool into a digital app and put automatic stops into the process that pilots were not allowed by the system proceed to their flights if certain level of risk was identified. They had to contact their support staff and get appropriate approvals before proceeding any further.
All this in digital app format, made the process very seamless for Aircargo. On top of that we game them ability to access audit trails meaning they now know via digital time stamps who accessed the app, when was form started, when was it signed off, what were the risks identified, by who and who gave approvals.
As with many industries, Aircargo has many types of users for this custom software – Admin, Director of Safety, Training, Pilots, Crew Member, Dispatch, Mechanics, Ground staff etc. This required different type of access and permissions to each user type.
Different types of reports can be accessed by different users. For example Accident Report goes to Director of Safety for approval while Equipment Request Form goes to Director of Purchasing.
We also provided ability for the admin to send Safety Memos to a specific set of users if needed. Admin can then track which users have accessed and signed these memos. Each user profile shows the memos they have acknowledged vs total memos. We created a visual status red, yellow, green smiley face to show overall progress.
Many other tools and libraries were created to make it seamless for users to be able to manage their profiles and track notifications.
SWIft app
Understand, document and optimize existing work flows
Compliance with the FAA standards
Big scope of work and limited budget
Create and Optimize Work flows
UX/UI design
iOS and Web App Development
Testing and Debugging
Launch and Deploy
Admin Panel was developed for the Director of Safety and Director of Training to make their job easier and to enforce accountability through out the organization and to ensure FAA requirements are met.
Dashboard: Through various graphs or analytics admin has full visibility and to impact that the trends are going in the right direction. Some of the graphs included number of reports submitted, types of reports submitted, reports submitted by region, reports pending approval, Safety Memos pending acknowledgement etc.
Users: Admin has full access to add or block a user. Admin can then track which users have accessed and signed these memos.
Approvals: When a report is sent in, the admin approves the report which will move the report into an “accepted” or “in progress” status/area where admin can add notes for investigation and tasks completed. Once the investigation process is completed, the safety admin can type a final findings report of which the user that sent in the report can see. Once the admin “Completes” the report, it goes into the archive section.
Safety Memos: Admin can add a safety memo using a custom editor, upload pictures, videos or a PDF. They can set the renewal time for each safety memo meaning that each user will have to re-acknowledge safety memo every year or every 6 months.
We went above and beyond to brainstorm with Air Cargo Carriers to create capabilities that minimized potential problems and maximized user experience. The capabilities of this aviation app remain unparalleled by anything else on the market. Air Cargo is so excited about their app’s success that they intend to commercialize it in the future. This is possible because Air Cargo maintains the intellectual property associated with their app. We are in it for our customers, so we make sure that after we develop iOS apps or other software, our customers own all of the rights. This kind of thoughtfulness and ingenuity sets Symphony Software apart from our peers and makes us one of the best mobile app development services out there.
This app is currently servicing between 150-200 users at Air Cargo Carriers, including pilots, maintenance crew, and other aviation professionals with overwhelmingly positive feedback. We love getting creative to develop exceptional software for all types of industries. Your success is our success, and we want to be a part of optimizing your business operations with a custom app that exceeds all expectations. Join Air Cargo and contact us to get your next app off the ground today!
“We are very impressed with the Symphony Software team. They tool our department and process, optimized it and came up with an easy and intuitive user flow. Many of our pilots are old timers and there was no pushback what so ever form anyone and they all love to use this app.” James N. Director of Safety, Aircargo
