A mobile app for smart home

A management, expert, and engineering company from the Eastern Europe specializes in the implementation of high-tech and innovation projects across many domains. The client cooperates with development institutions, universities, federal and regional authorities on public demand research, knowledge exchange, and promotion
of advanced technologies.

The company’s recent survey among city inhabitants, public utility and property management companies showed that real estate residents need a unified tech-driven solution to handle their routine activities.

To make everyday life of residents smarter and more mobile, the customer reached out to EffectiveSoft with an idea of developing a unique one-stop service app. The customer wanted to combine such features as smart home, reporting to municipal services, management of entrance cards and doors, and many other functions.

The My Home app has everything at user’s fingertips to pay utility bills, communicate with responsible persons and take care of smart home devices and appliances
in a secure and efficient manner. The app communicates with a smart home hub, thus providing a unified solution for each house resident to remotely grant home access to guests, manage entrance cards and doors, as well as set up a home alarm system.

Highlights

• Secure log-in and registration adhering to a multi-level verification of user credentials.
• Smart Home to remotely control and manage connected devices and appliances: lighting, air conditioning, heating, window coverings, energy consumption, and water leakage.
• Management of digital entrance cards to secured areas. The cards are issued to any guest both for one-time and long-term use. They are checked by scanning an assigned QR code or a vehicle registration plate.
• Remote response to intercom call by voice answer or granting access.
• Ultimate interaction with property management companies, covering newsfeed, access to residential documentation, participation in and creation of public polls within the residential infrastructure.
• Ease of communication with municipal services, allowing for payments for water, gas, and energy; submission of meter readings, issue reporting, live chat, and hassle-free booking of handymen and household services.
• Real-time surveillance with the help of video cams installed throughout the territory. Possibility to change the view size, record a video, or make a shot.

• We assembled a team out of a business analyst, designers, and developers. The app had to be cross-platform with a modern feel and look. Prior to app development, it was important to conduct a professional business analysis (BA) and prepare an excellent and well-thought-out design.
• Having necessary data at hand, we did UX design, including interaction design, visual design, and information architecture. For UI design, we created a style guide that defines colour schemes, typography, and icons layouts. We then designed wireframes as the basis for the future app development. Also, we developed the architecture for the frontend API for the communication with the customer’s backend.
• At the end of the project the customer received a visually appealing 
app design, featuring intuitive navigation and the functionality uniquely positioned for any residential infrastructure.