Developing Mobile Experiences for Airline Scheduling Software

The Client

The client has been providing comprehensive software solutions for airlines worldwide for over 15 years. As an ISO 9001 certified company, they are committed to delivering high-quality products and services that meet international standards. Their suite of products is designed to streamline various aspects of airline operations, including flight and crew scheduling, slot management, flightwatch operations, aircraft standstill planning, schedule recovery and more.

Their integrated solutions ensure seamless functionality with airlines' existing systems, while their consultancy team offers detailed analysis, training, and ongoing software support services.

Binary Studio has quickly become an integral part of our mobile development team.

They rapidly integrated into our processes, consistently delivering high-quality work. Their strong sense of ownership and commitment to the project's success make them feel like a true extension of our in-house team.

Aviation Software Solutions Provider

Head of Engineering

Developing Mobile Experiences for Airline Scheduling Software-1 Switzerland

Objectives

The client has been offering a comprehensive desktop and web software suite for the aviation industry. In 2021, they further expanded their offerings by launching mobile apps for the crew and operational management.

However, the client soon realized the need for a reliable and experienced mobile development partner. As a result, they selected Binary Studio due to our capacity to quickly integrate into the client's processes, work independently, and proactively offer solutions to the tasks at hand.

In addition to partnering with the client on mobile applications, Binary Studio's frontend development team is also working on the web version of their software products. You can read more about this project in our dedicated case study.

The client has identified several key objectives:

01

Enhance performance of existing mobile apps

The primary objective was to identify and resolve any technical issues or bugs within mobile applications, with the focus on improving the overall stability, speed, and reliability of the apps.
02

Expand functionality with new features

The next goal was to enhance the capabilities of mobile apps by implementing a set of a cutting-edge features and ensuring seamless performance across both iOS and Android platforms.
03

Refresh the user interface and experience

The current priority is to implement the updated design of mobile applications and further optimize the user experience.

Solution and Outcome

To ensure the successful achievement of all objectives set by the client, Binary Studio has taken over the responsibility for the frontend mobile development of two existing mobile applications. We have seamlessly integrated into the client's well-established development processes, which are managed using Jira.

React Native

Swift

MobX

JavaScript

TypeScript

Stage 1
In the initial stage, we focused on improving the existing functionality and performance of two mobile apps:
- A crew management app, designed specifically for airline crew members, providing crew rostering, managing crew requests and vacations, handling crew data and documentation, and more
- An operational app for airline ground staff to view live flights from their airline's schedule, including graphical displays with search function, flight status, passenger information, and standstills, flight sector details, sector briefs, etc.
During this stage, Binary Studio focused on resolving any technical issues. This included addressing problems such as uninformative error handling in forms, which displayed generic error messages like "Error" instead of providing users with specific details about the issue and its location.
To improve error handling, Binary Studio proposed the use of the react-hook-form library and the integration of validation schemas using Joi. This approach allowed for more informative error messages, clearly indicating where the error occurred and what it entailed.
Stage 2
After addressing the initial bugs and performance issues, the project progressed to the implementation of new features. Binary Studio's mobile engineer worked closely with the client's backend development team to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of the newly added functionalities.
Among the key features successfully implemented during this stage were:
- Biometrical authentication (Face ID, Touch ID) for enhanced security, providing users with a convenient and safe way to access the apps
- Bluetooth integration for crew check-ins, streamlining the process and eliminating the need for manual check-ins
- Flight log for pilots, allowing them to easily record flight details within the app, replacing the traditional method of manually writing in a flight journal
The mobile apps were developed using React Native, a powerful framework for building cross-platform applications, along with MobX for efficient state management. However, the differences in how iOS and Android handle certain functionalities posed challenges for the development team. Overcoming these challenges required a deep understanding of both iOS and Android systems and their unique ways of handling various components.
One notable example was the implementation of Bluetooth integration. iOS, in particular, handles Bluetooth connections in a rather unconventional manner compared to Android. To ensure smooth and reliable Bluetooth integration across both platforms, Binary Studio's engineer wrote native code using Swift. They then seamlessly integrated it with React Native and JavaScript, enabling the Bluetooth functionality to work flawlessly on both iOS and Android devices.
Stage 3
The current focus of the project is on updating the design of the mobile applications. Binary Studio is working on refreshing the user interface and improving the overall user experience.
Throughout all stages of the project, the team has demonstrated understanding of the aviation industry's specific processes and terminology, enabling them to deliver tailored solutions that meet the client’s unique requirements.

Exceeding Expectations in Aviation Software Development

The client is renowned as a reliable provider of aviation software solutions for many well-respected airlines. In an industry where precision, accuracy, and reliability are paramount, they have consistently delivered high-quality software that meets the unique needs of the aviation sector.
When the client decided to enhance their mobile applications, they partnered with Binary Studio. Our team seamlessly integrated into their existing development processes, demonstrating a proactive approach and a strong sense of ownership.
Throughout the project, we have received frequent praise from the client for delivering high-quality code, quickly adapting to project requirements, and maintaining effective communication. By applying our technical skills and understanding of the aviation industry's specific challenges, Binary Studio has helped deliver mobile solutions that optimize essential processes for airline crew members and ground staff.

About Binary Studio

Binary Studio is a boutique software development company, regularly praised for its unique blend of engineering excellence and product ownership that enables its clients to build robust and scalable software products.
With our development team made up of top 0.5% international tech talent, we build web and mobile platforms using Node.js, .NET, React Native, Flutter, and integrating AI and ML. We also offer full-cycle QA and project management services to ensure the efficient delivery.
Our clients see us as a trusted partner dedicated to turning visions into great products. This is proven by 200+ delivered projects, more than two decades of business excellence, and stellar customer reviews.

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