Client
MetroPCS is one of the leading providers of unlimited wireless services with nationwide coverage and no annual contract, offering the latest Android and iOS smartphones. MetroPCS offers value to their customers by providing nationwide talk, text, and data using GSM, HSPA, HSPA+, and 4G LTE networks. As competition in the mobile space is heating up, they recognized the opportunity of offering smartphones with more than one operating system.
Business Need
By adding iOS smartphones to their product line, MetroPCS needed to port their MyMetro mobile app from Android to iOS. This required a competent team of developers with expertise in various technologies. Nuance requested for the source code to be reused, as the Android app was written in part Java and other components using the Cordova framework. Specifically, the new solution needed to replace the Java code with a native iOS code. To ensure that the code base was stable through the development cycle, Akvelon engineers considered it critical to have a set of test automation scripts written for the iOS application. Additionally, a redesign of the UI/UX for the app was required as the two frameworks differ. Visual and functional updates were updated, inspired by iOS design guidelines. Akvelon was selected for our expertise in planning, managing, and delivering the specific requirements by a hard deadline.
Solution
This project created a large volume of workflows that needed to be carefully planned and executed to meet the hard deadline. In order to execute the process in a timely manner, a combination of test automation and manual testing was conducted. During this phase, many iterations were exchanged, and in the end, an updated documentation of the workflows and completed code were transferred to Nuance on time. To ensure seamless knowledge sharing, Akvelon set up a build server for Nuance. This allowed easy access to the code, while enabling communication and support from the Akvelon developers in case problems arose. A cooperative checkup of the shared code was performed on a weekly basis to guarantee stabilization of the application. Each of the steps below were closed by the client sign off before moving on to the next phase.
The breakdown of the approach and solution are as follows:
•Detailed technical analysis of project scope
•Coding phase – seven weeks with constant sync-ups with the Nuance team
•Performed internal Akvelon test pass
•Tested for stabilization
•Beta testing
•Conducted User Acceptance Testing
•Shipped/Launched
For UI/UX, the application was updated in subtle ways in order to become a native citizen among other iPhone applications – primarily to ensure that users would easily understand how to perform common actions. The updates are presented below and separated into two categories-
Visual:
•Updated application icon and loader animation
•Updated side menu
•Redesigned homepage
•Added a footer and updated header
•Updated data usage page
•Updated modal dialogues
•Added pages related to session expiration and after-call
•Updated Localization
Functional:
•Changed native components
•Changed authorization mechanism
•Changed metrics sending logic
•Changed related iOS system limitations
Benefits & Results
Akvelon successfully delivered the project on time, providing a completed iOS port for the MyMetro app, while owning the mobile testing and automation process. Nuance was extremely satisfied with the value that Akvelon provided – immediately offering a new phase in the project with a new set of requirements – as soon as the code was completed. Akvelon is currently aligned to gather more information and requirements for the new phase with Nuance.
The value that Akvelon brought to this project includes:
•On-time delivery of the iOS application
•Provided a complete iOS compatible and functioning MyMetro App
•End-to-end mobile testing including test automation
•Hybrid onshore and offshore capabilities – providing an efficient and flexible workflow
•Customer sign off throughout the project to ensure delivery of requirements without surprises or delays.
