The following are a selection of case studies of some of the recent projects we have completed for clients.
Mortgage News 2.0 (USA)
Mortgage News 2.0 is the central news source for the $3 trillion mortgage industry. It enables each mortgage sector to easily find news relevant to their business, to customize their news display, and to interact with Web 2.0 social networking tools.
Challenge
Mortgage News 2.0 faced a problem common to many, if not every, new entrant into an existing market - "how to differentiate itself from the established players?". Mortgage News 2.0 was also clear right from the start they wanted to deliver a unique news browsing experience that stood out from their dowdy competitors, and had a strong preference for an Adobe Flex-based site. Our second challenge therefore was how to combine the superior interaction of Flex with the familiarity of a traditional HTML browsing experience.
Solution
Mortgage News 2.0 originally approached Outsmart with a concept for a online industry yellow pages, and together we talked through the critical questions of uniqueness and irresistibility to both end users and advertisers. Based upon our input and recommendations we refined the product concept together to incorporate the best of proven Web2.0-styled "social news" features whereby the social features of forums and blogs are combined with news filtering, prioritized news display, and layout customization. We also built a sophisticated advertising engine that would enable their advertising clients to target specific market segments, including keyword-based targeting. Together with an attractive but traditional layout and support for browser history navigation we delivered a next-generation web site that combined innovation with familiarity.
Results
Mortgage News 2.0 has proven itself by virtue of its growing reader base and its ability to win advertising dollar from Industry vendors. The site was awarded the Adobe Site of the Day in September 2007.
Aliveworld (New Zealand & USA)
Aliveworld is a pioneer in helping support fundamental change in people's lives using computer and web technology. It marries together the benefits of a Web 2.0-inspired community of inquiry and support, with access to the writings, resources and wisdom of the world-renowned best selling authors in an interactive computer-based format.
Challenge
One of the things we know about any intentional change is that it really helps to have visual touchstones to support people to stay connected to their process. Aliveworld asked Outsmart if we could build for them a tool to enable their members to creatively express what supports and inspires them in their change process. Like all web applications that incorporate a reasonable amount of power and sophistication, the challenge was to build it in such a way as to provide a minimal barrier to entry by maximizing the ease of use.
Solution
We started off the design process as we usually do with drafting wireframes for the User Interface. Once these were agreed and signed off, we started development building on top of our OS+CANVAS component platform.
Results
One of the gifts of Web 2.0 technology is undoubtedly the invention of powerful User Generated Content (UGC) tools that provide rich expressiveness but with low thresholds to use. Aliveworld's Playspace tool is another example of bringing accessible power to the people, and in the process helping people build better lives for themselves and those they care about.
MobiK (South East Asia)
MobiK is an advertising-sponsored mobile services community delivering free phone- and web-based text messaging (SMS) to members.
Challenge
Free is always a very compelling product feature, especially when the service being provided is as much a part of many people's lives as SMS texting is. The key problem that MobiK had was that they had very little visibility over the essential KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) of their very popular service. Our challenge in developing a solution to MobiK's needs was complicated by the fact that they weren't 100% clear about what information they needed, plus they were new and expanding rapidly as a company. Working as we generally do on fixed-price contracts this presented to us a very likely "moving feast" problem whereby requirements were too loose to comfortably provide a set price on.
Solution
The solution for MobiK's needs was an Digital Dashboard, but it was obvious that we needed to abstract out of the solution Mobik's existing data and presentation layers to enable the product to evolve with their growing needs. We used our OS+CANVAS component to provide a fully WYSIWYG editor that enables users to drag-and-drop graphs and other visual widgets onto the Dashboard pages. A meta-data driven architecture allowed us to build an easily configurable and user-customizable dashboard that would not only meet MobiK's presenting needs, but also provide a reporting platform for their future requirements as well. Perfect!
Results
Digital Dashboards are real time visualization tools of critical business indicators that help in decision making. The key factor in the success of Dashboards is that the business indicators shown are indeed the critical ones, and for a new or rapidly growing business this may change regularly. By taking the approach we did Outsmart were able to design and build a solution for MobiK that would grow with their success, and show them their key results along the way.
Scrapblog (USA)
Scrapblog is a free service that enhances the photo-sharing experience by combining the storytelling aspect of scrapbooks with the sharing power of blogs. Scrapblog offers the most robust and easy-to-use online application for designing and publishing content from the Web to the Web.
Challenge
Scrapblog is one of the most stunning examples of the potency and potential of the intersection of RIA technology and consumer-facing Web 2.0. It combines the power of WYSIWYG photo editing with accessibility and ease-of-use. After developing a successful working proof-of-concept, Scrapblog Inc looked for a RIA Development Studio to help them refine and further functionalize the core canvas component of the Scrapblog Builder. They chose Outsmart.
Solution
At the time of its release Scrapblog was a lonely pioneer in the provision of web-based photo editing software. The key point about innovation is that there aren't any paths to follow - you're literally creating the future. In this environment creativity and technical excellence are the only signposts (in working in 2D graphics, a good understanding of mathematics helps too). We drew on our previous experience with 2D and 3D representation and manipulation to build with Adobe Flex a comprehensive electronic canvas that would provide an intuitive photo-enhancing experience.
Results
The first final release of Scrapblog was presented at the DEMOFall conference in September 2006 to resounding critical acclaim. We continue to work with Scrapblog in ensuring their position as the premier photo-enhancing and photo-publishing tool on the web.
Packetgrease (USA)
Packetgrease is a SaaS (Software as a Service) provider to Enterprise customers and Telecom Sales Professionals looking for a telecom service management tool. Telecom Inventory Management Systems (TIMS) enables Enterprises, Telecom Sales Agents and customers to manage their telecommunications assets, services and contracts.
Challenge
Packetgrease originally outsourced the development of TIMS to an Indian software development company, but after spending a good portion of their allocated budget, and waiting many months longer than expected the product was in a very incomplete, buggy and ugly state of affairs. Being "gun-shy" from this experience, Packetgrease then sought a US-based developer to complete the project for them. Somehow we came across one another and through presentations of our previous work, references from existing satisfied clients, and demonstrations of our project management infrastructure, Packetgrease asked Outsmart if we would redevelop TIMS for them.
Solution
Whilst SaaS solutions tend to be relatively straight-forward technology-wise, they need to be able to meet 2 critical challenges; (i) ease-of-use for novice users, and (ii) breadth and flexibility of functionality to satisfy a wide range of customers. Being well-experienced in the delivery of these factors, and building on top of our well-established OS+DATA component platform, Outsmart were able to design, develop and deploy an application for Packetgrease within both their tight financial and time budgets.
Results
After an initial bad experience with outsourcing, Packetgrease chose Outsmart to help them deliver on their promise of taking back control of telecom services. Whilst the effective hourly rate of the Indian developers was less than that of Outsmart, we were able to deliver a significantly superior solution in less time and similar money due to our ability to leverage off our existing experience, design patterns and data services platform. Moreover our design and engineering approach will make for a considerably lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Bluebird (New Zealand)
Bluebird are the largest manufacturer of snacks foods and potato chips in New Zealand with an annual sales in excess of US$120 million.
Challenge
Bluebird were launching a new product called Torpedoes into the hotly contested child lunch-time snack market and wanted a fun and viral web-based 3D game to make an impact on its target market of kids.
Solution
Outsmart proposed Shockwave as a suitable platform to provide a good balance between immersive 3D graphics and Plug-in installation base for the target market. Building on top of our own game engine, and working in conjunction with Kangoo Animation, Outsmart designed and developed the "Penguins Revenge" game, incorporating standard gaming features such as levels, power-ups and leader-boards.
Results
We had a lot of fun playing the game.
Vayama (USA)
Vayama.com is an innovative travel web site using the latest in web technologies to provide a huge selection of airlines, flights and fares.
Challenge
Vayama wanted to create a point of difference in their user's online experience of browsing and booking travel in order to win business from market leaders Expedia & Orbitz.
Solution
Vayama thought there was a good opportunity to innovate by building better visualisation tools into the flight browsing and selection process. Vayama approached Outsmart to ask if we could build for them a visual map component that would enable travelers to select travel departures and destinations using a simple and intuitive click-and-point mechanism. The map also needed to work seamlessly with the traditional text entry-based methods of selecting travel points and integrate with Vayama's existing Java and Javascript-based technology. Outsmart built the final solution using Flash and incorporating clever features such as smart state and city caching, intelligent zoom, infinite sideways scrolling and wizard-driven prompting.
Results
Building mass-market consumer-facing web sites that combine innovation with ease of use is often a technical challenge, but even more so, always a challenge of user interaction design. Vayama chose Outsmart because their existing technology partner was unable to provide this uncommon mix of capability, and because Outsmart had a proven track record in delivering world-class solutions. Based upon our success in creating the world map component Vayama also asked Outsmart to design and develop a visual seat map component to assist travelers in selecting from available seating on the plane. Together these two visual components have helped Vayama differentiate itself from well established online travel vendors as well as to make online travel booking more accessible to thousands of national and international travelers.
MobiMarketing (Australia)
MobiMarketing is an Australian company focusing on the development and marketing of mobile messaging solutions including SMS, MMS and the distribution of mobile media content such as text, audio, graphics and video.
Challenge
As advertising revenue from traditional mediums such as television and newspapers continues to dwindle, advertisers are turning to the one device that consumers can't seem to escape: their mobile phone. Mobile phones have become an essential accessory of modern life, particularly among the youth set, and SMS text-messaging usage has more than doubled in the last year. MobiMarketing needed a technology platform for their free web-based SMS service for consumer/users, as well as a "Google Adwords-like" Campaign Management system for their advertisers. They turned to Outsmart.
Solution 1 - gofreeSMS
In order to tap into the huge potential of this advertising medium, MobiMarketing asked Outsmart to develop a web-based SMS application that would appeal to its target users. The brief was to design an attractive and "friendly" Rich Internet Application that was visually distinctive and quick and easy to use. We used Adobe Flex 2 to create a simple but flexible User Interface that met the needs of both users, and sponsoring advertisers. We made use of Flex's powerful visual expressiveness features such as form state transitions, transparency, rich media (video) integration and user-selectable skins to create a dynamic user experience.
Solution 2 - MobiMedia Mobile Ad Server
For each SMS message sent, MobiMedia simultaneously promotes an advertisement to both the sender and the recipient. MobiMedia provides advertisers with a simple means of creating and self-managing their own location and demographic-targeted campaigns, and then tracking their results online. Outsmart built both the easy-to-use Campaign Manager application, as well as a robust media and message server platform to deliver the service to MobiMarketing's customers.
Results
Recent research predicts SMS traffic will grow from 950 billion messages in 2006 to over 1.5 trillion by 2008. As advertising spending shifts from the 1st screen (TV) to the 2nd screen (computer) and 3rd screen (mobile phone), significant opportunities exist for innovators to capture these redirected revenue streams. MobiMarketing turned to Outsmart to help them create a persuasive technology platform for their Mobile advertisers. One that neatly orchestrated with the gofreeSMS RIA to create both a valued service for users, and an effective advertising medium for advertisers. MobiMarketing is staking its future on Outsmart's smart technology + clever thinking to deliver the valued difference that will help it to leverage its innovative advertising services to new markets.
Advancemobile Europe (United Kingdom)
Advancemobile is an innovative Fleet Management technology provider that enables their international customers to intelligently monitor and manage the compliance, driver behaviour and operational efficiency of small and large fleets of cars, vans and trucks.
Challenge
Advancemobile's difference lies in their scalable composite hardware technology that combines GPS Tracking, Remote Diagnostics & Telemetry data, all delivered wirelessly via 2.5G & 3G cellular networks. Advancemobile wanted a "killer" web-based software application that matched their best-of-breed hardware and service to deliver a knock-out punch to their competitors.
Solution
Advancemobile talked to Outsmart about how a Rich Internet Application might enable them to transform the the wealth of data provided by their hardware into a powerful but easy-to-use information visualisation and management tool. Working under tight timeframes, Outsmart gathered requirements from their UK and New Zealand management teams to quickly formulate and design visual interface mockups. In parallel, the technical team created customised Reporting, Dashboard and Map components so that once the functional and interface requirements were signed off work could begin on creating an early proof-of-concept application. The delivered system leveraged off Outsmart's experience in RIA development and Agile development methodologies to produce a visually eloquent application that raises the bar in the Fleet Management industry.
Results
Advancemobile wanted a technology partner that could match the cutting-edge capability of their hardware. In addition they needed a software development team who could bring their creative input, technical capability and RIA development experience to produce results within tight time constraints. Outsmart combined its traditional software development experience together with its interface and interaction design skills to create a state-of-the-art view on the dynamics of Advancemobile customer fleets. The Advancemobile RIA transforms the rich live data feeds from their hardware into digestible information that enables Fleet Managers and operational staff to more effectively manage their businesses than ever before.
Centeros (New Zealand)
Centeros is a provider of operational management systems to medium and large Data Centres.
Challenge
Centeros wanted to create a compelling, data-driven, management system that leapfrogged the leaders in the growing Data Centre Resource management market. They knew that in order to do this they needed to be able to demonstrate a convincing superiority over the established players.
Solution
Centeros chose Outsmart to create for them a Rich Internet Application-based solution using Outsmart's OS+DATA, OS+FLOW and OS+VIZ components. Integrating conventional tabbed data forms with an innovative 2D graphical room/rack view and powerful but simple navigational controls produced a uniquely effective application experience. Our workflow engine provided seamless integration with external systems via automated interfaces to 3rd party applications and with other users via emails with embedded intelligent hyperlinks. The developed Centeros application is dynamic, engaging and supported by Outsmart ’s industrial strength code.
Results
As a start-up in a competitive market sector, Centeros needed to make a powerful statement in order to build a customer base. Outsmart demonstrated to Centeros how a RIA-based system could not only match and surpass the interface of a thick client, but also take advantage of the low cost of deployment and support associated with web applications. In addition to this Centeros can now also offer a more flexible range of licensing options to their customers including online rental of the software service. For the first time Data Centres can now get affordable access to a class-leading software solution without having to tie up large amounts of capital in traditional software licensing costs.
Outsmart (New Zealand)
Outsmart is a pioneer in the development of extraordinary interactive experiences via Rich Internet Application technology. C3 is Outsmart's own Real-time Collaboration (RTC), Communication and Coordination RIA platform.
Challenge
Outsmart needed a way to efficiently showcase its technology and capability to a busy and discerning audience of prospective clients and partners. But, we wanted to go beyond simply telling people about Rich Internet Applications; we wanted to also give people a live and first-hand experience of what was possible with the technology.
Solution
We decided early on to use Web conferencing and webinars to deliver our message to our target markets. There were many existing products available including Webex, Adobe Breeze and GotoMeeting. They provided most of the function we were looking for but being shrink-wrapped solutions they didn't allow us to add function or integrate them with other desktop or web applications. Building on our experience with Flash Media Server for video streaming and real-time data sharing, we decided to build our own Web conferencing "platform" using our OS+COMM component library.
Results
Outsmart were looking for a way to reinforce the RIA content of our webinars with an immersive experience of a RIA itself. We wanted to be able to match the capability of the best existing products out there, but we also wanted to go beyond that to build a modular platform solution that could participate as an integral part of a larger technosphere. Of course being a RIA, it would also run entirely within a standard web browser. The completed C3 platform enables Outsmart to host compelling multi-media webinars and online meetings that are them self a powerful expression of our technical capability and a forerunner of the Web as a powerful application and collaboration platform.
Adiphone (Korea)
Adiphone International is a leading value-added telecommunications service provider operating primarily in South Korea.
Challenge
Adiphone wanted to break into the highly competitive on-line dating market. They had already had some some success in telephony-only based services but knew they needed to integrate a distinctive web-based presence if they were to be successful in developing a flourishing next-generation service.
Solution
Early on in their product design process, Adiphone talked to Outsmart about what we could do to help them develop a fresh and inviting approach. Our own research identified 3 new niches that Adiphone might leverage. The first was the incorporation of a fully integrated and internally branded audio/video messaging and conferencing component. The second was designing a look-and-feel that borrowed functional and visual design cues from the exploding instant-messaging chat market, capitalising on its growth. The third niche was building a rich visual interface that enabled members to go beyond the standard profile attributes and "about-me" text to provide a greater sense of the their personality. To do this by allowing the tailoring of personal virtual rooms with wallpaper, music, furniture etc. We used our OS+DATA, OS+VIZ and OS+COMM components to build a unique community-based web application that was both visually and functionally distinct from the many existing sites.
Results
Entering a widely-contested market like on-line dating calls for a courageous and well-calculated product and marketing plan. New entrants need to be able to quickly and clearly demonstrate a valued difference. Using our OS+ platform in conjunction with the our Agile methodologies to deliver early and demonstrable prototypes, Outsmart worked closely with Adiphone to refine a working concept into a fully functional web-based Rich Internet Application. The completed system, integrated with Adiphone's telephony systems, provides a compelling user experience that Adiphone is confident will enable them to break into this competitive market.
