A comprehensive data capture and reporting ecosystem featuring a native mobile application for field merchandisers and a sophisticated web-based analysis portal.
What we did
- Native iOS and Android mobile application development
- High-performance web portal for data analysis and reporting
- Complex real-time data synchronisation architecture
- Custom UI/UX design for efficient in-store data entry
- Bespoke ExpressionEngine backend integration
- Implementation of robust offline mode for remote workers
About the project
Bee Vizible is an advanced field marketing and merchandising tool designed to streamline the way brands monitor their presence within the retail environment. Developed for Gem Merchandising, the platform serves as a mission-critical bridge between field workers and headquarters. In the fast-paced world of retail, data accuracy and speed are paramount. Brands need to know instantly if their products are correctly displayed, stock levels are maintained, and promotional campaigns are being executed according to plan.
Tinderhouse was tasked with creating a dual-component solution: a native mobile application for merchandisers on the ground and a powerful web portal for administrators. We focused on a high-performance mobile app development strategy to ensure that field workers could capture high-quality data, including photos and stock tallies, without technical friction. The web portal then transforms this raw data into actionable insights, providing clients with a granular view of their retail performance across multiple territories.
To ensure the system could handle the complexities of retail environments, we used a minimum viable product strategy during the initial build. This allowed the core data capture features to be tested in real-world store environments before we layered on the more complex analytical reporting tools. By prioritising the most essential functions first, we ensured that the MVP development phase provided immediate operational value while establishing a scalable foundation for the comprehensive reporting suite that followed.
The Challenge
The retail environment presents unique technical hurdles, particularly when relying on mobile technology in large buildings where connectivity is often unreliable. Bee Vizible faced several significant challenges:
- Connectivity Dead Zones: Merchandisers often work in the back of stores or large supermarkets where mobile signals drop out, leading to potential data loss.
- Complex Data Synchronisation: Ensuring that large volumes of data, including high-resolution images, sync correctly from the field to the central portal without duplication or corruption.
- Manual Reporting Delays: Before the digital transition, data was often compiled manually, leading to a significant delay between the in-store visit and the client receiving the report.
- User Friction: Field workers needed a tool that was faster to use than traditional pen-and-paper or basic spreadsheets to ensure high adoption rates.
- Scalability: The system needed to support hundreds of concurrent remote workers syncing data across different regions simultaneously.
- Data Visualisation: Transforming vast amounts of raw field data into a format that is easy for stakeholders to understand and act upon.
Our Solution
Robust Native Mobile Application
We developed native applications for both iOS and Android to ensure the highest level of performance and reliability. By opting for native app development, we were able to leverage device-specific hardware for fast photo capture and efficient battery management. The app features a highly intuitive interface designed for one-handed use, allowing merchandisers to navigate store aisles while quickly ticking off tasks and snapping photos of displays.
Offline Data Resilience
Recognising the connectivity issues in the retail sector, we implemented a sophisticated "offline-first" architecture. The app allows merchandisers to complete their entire workflow without an active internet connection. All data and images are stored locally on the device and queued for transmission. Once a stable signal is detected, the app automatically handles the synchronisation to the central server, ensuring that not a single data point is lost regardless of the store's signal strength.
Advanced Project Management Portal
The companion web portal serves as the command centre for field operations. Built with a focus on web development excellence, the portal allows managers to assign tasks, track merchandiser locations, and review incoming data in real-time. We integrated custom dashboards that provide high-level summaries and deep-dive analytics. Managers can filter reports by store, region, or specific product lines, providing Gem Merchandising with a competitive edge in reporting speed and accuracy.
Bespoke ExpressionEngine Backend
To power the entire ecosystem, we used our expertise as Expression Engine developers to build a secure, flexible backend. ExpressionEngine provides the necessary structure to manage complex relational data between clients, merchandisers, and individual store reports. This backend acts as the single source of truth, managing the data sync from the mobile apps and serving the analytical reports to the web portal with high efficiency and security.
The Results
Since its deployment in 2019, Bee Vizible has transformed Gem Merchandising’s operations, moving them from manual processes to a fully automated digital workflow.
Real-Time Visibility: Clients now receive in-store data and photos within minutes of a visit being completed, rather than days.
100% Data Integrity: The robust offline sync mechanism has eliminated data loss, providing a complete and accurate picture of every store visit.
Increased Field Efficiency: Merchandisers have reported a significant reduction in the time required to complete store reports, allowing for more visits per day.
High Client Retention: The professional reporting portal has become a key selling point for Gem Merchandising, helping them secure and retain high-profile retail brands.
Automated Scalability: The system comfortably handles large-scale data surges during peak promotional periods like Black Friday and Christmas without performance degradation.
Technical Highlights
Mobile Platforms: Native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) applications for optimal field performance.
Backend Framework: Custom ExpressionEngine implementation for scalable data and content management.
Sync Engine: Proprietary background synchronisation logic with robust conflict resolution.
Database: High-performance MySQL architecture designed for complex relational queries.
Web Portal: Responsive front-end build ensuring accessibility for managers on any device.
Cloud Infrastructure: Secure hosting on AWS with automated backups and high availability.
Need a Custom Data Solution for Your Business?
Whether you require a complex field-to-office portal or a minimum viable product strategy to modernise your data capture, our Kent and London based developers can help. We specialise in building high-performance tools that solve real-world operational challenges.