Developing digital solutions that transform businesses

Recently, we've seen business flock to the digital landscape faster than ever before. Due to lockdown, businesses worldwide have needed to turn to digital FAST and we're not just talking about setting up eCommerce stores - the need for other innovative digital solutions has increased drastically as well.

Back in the pre-COVID-19 days, 70% of business reported that they already had a digital solution either in mind or in progress, but even then, these solutions still weren't enough to cope with the changes our world has seen. Recently we've seen cafés introduce ordering and delivery apps, exercise companies pivot to online classes and even schools and traditional businesses adopt class-leading digital solutions. For many of these businesses, it's likely that this push to digital has opened up a new audience or additional revenue streams meaning that even post-COVID-19, they're likely to stick to their new-found digital ways.

At Terabyte, we're not just web developers. We specialise in conceptualising and implementing digital solutions of all shapes and sizes, so it's safe to say the last few months have been incredibly interesting for us. We've been challenged to extend what we do and explore new solutions we'd never dreamed of before.

What Is a Digital Solution?

In a nutshell, a digital solution is anything that helps a business thrive online. While eCommerce stores are likely to be the first to spring to mind (and we have set up a fair few of those), they also include Software as a Service product, apps, online applications and even online learning tools to name a few.

When a client comes to us with a problem that needs a digital solution or even has a project already in mind, we go through an 'ideate' phase to really define what the goals of the project are, which will allow the Tera Team to identify which digital solution will suit best. Let's take a look at some of our faves.

Online Learning Tools

During the lockdown, online learning tools were in hot demand with schools and universities quickly realising they may not have been set up for a fully online learning experience. Online learning tools can not only be beneficial in times like these but for remote learning, when students are absent or even when prioritising self-lead learning in the future.

PlaceMakers came to us wanting to take their apprenticeship education online and so PlaceMakers Under Construction was born.

The site incorporates a simple Learning Management System (LMS) that enables Licenced Building Practitioners (LBP) the ability to answer questions on content, track their growth and create a learning record. This then allows them to submit their progress in order to qualify for their LBP Licence on a yearly basis. The solution included Single Sign-On (SSO) with their trade accounts to create a cohesive ecosystem of tools.

 

Online Applications

The rise of online applications has come so far - from a simple contact us or manual details form to now fully integrated application processes.

Instant Finance came to us as they wanted their loan application form to allow for a full, integrated, online experience that would not only take the pressure off their branches but allow applicants to undertake the process from home.

The new system was built from the ground up and involved a comprehensive user research study and user testing exercise to make sure our form met the needs of their audience. Careful attention was placed on creating a simple form that gathered enough info to ensure an efficient application process without becoming cumbersome and daunting for the user. Key integrations also helped integrate the data into the Instant Finance application system to create a seamless process.

Native Mobile Application

Mobile apps have become incredibly popular over the past few years, and rightly so! A native mobile app can be faster than a web page and allow for deeper integration of features resulting in a better overall user experience.

For PlaceMakers, we designed and built an app for iOS and Android called PlaceMakers Pro.

The PlaceMakers Pro app is a digital loyalty programme for your enthusiastic DIYers and Handymen to enrol in. The app logs users into your account and allows them to search for products and see preferred pricing at their local store, create projects and quotes, as well as scan products instore with the app to see your price. Once they are ready to buy, they can even use the app as their digital card at the counter. The PlaceMakers Pro App truly offers a seamless, intuitive experience for the customer that helps save them time and money!

 

 

Web Apps

Web applications help bridge the gap between native applications and websites. They provide a cost-effective and accessible way to communicate an idea or tool.

We recently digitised the Fletcher Building staff card into a Progressive Web App (PWA) to minimise management of the cards within the organisation, as well as provide a real-time digital card for employees. The PWA integrates with their HR management systems within Fletcher Building to ensure secure access as well as automating the signup and maintenance of each card. With 3 levels of security on each card and purchase tracking, the system provides an enhanced solution to the previous, time-intensive, staff programme.