A high performance professional networking platform built to connect consultants and service providers in the pharmaceutical sector.
What we did
- Bespoke UI/UX Design tailored to pharmaceutical industry professionals.
- Rapid Prototyping to validate user journeys and app structure early.
- Cross-Platform Development using Flutter for iOS and Android.
- Scalable Backend Architecture on AWS EC2 and DynamoDB.
- Secure Messaging Integration with real time push notifications.
- MVP Development to establish core networking features efficiently.
About the project
The Research Network represents a significant evolution in how pharmaceutical consultants and industry service providers interact within a highly specialised market. In an industry where specific expertise is paramount, finding the right collaborator or service provider for a complex project can often be a cumbersome process. Tinderhouse was commissioned to build a mobile first solution that prioritises professional connectivity, allowing experts to showcase their skills and connect with peers through a streamlined digital ecosystem.
Working closely with the client, we identified that the application needed to feel intuitive while maintaining the professional gravity required by the pharmaceutical sector. This led us to adopt a strategic minimum viable product strategy to ensure we could launch with robust core functionality while leaving room for future scalability. The resulting platform allows users to create detailed profiles, highlighting their qualifications, education, and niche pharmaceutical skills, effectively creating a searchable, global database of industry specialists.
By focusing on accessibility and adhering to the best practice guidelines from both Apple and Google, we developed a tool that fits naturally into a professional's daily workflow. This project was not simply about building another social network; it was about creating a vital resource for the pharmaceutical arena. As experienced UK mobile app developers, we ensured that every element of the app, from the dashboard to the secure chat interface, was built to support the high standards of the industry it serves.
The Challenge
The pharmaceutical industry is governed by strict professional standards and a constant demand for data integrity. Building a networking platform for this sector presented several unique obstacles that our development team had to navigate carefully.
Professional Engagement: Encouraging busy consultants to maintain an active profile required a highly engaging user interface that was efficient to use and did not feel like an administrative burden.
Information Security: In an industry where confidentiality and data protection are critical, all messaging and data transfers required robust encryption and secure SSL protocols.
Complex Search Requirements: Users needed the ability to filter the network using highly specific criteria, such as specific medical qualifications, geographic location, or niche technical skills.
Platform Fragmentation: The client required a unified experience across both iOS and Android devices without the extensive costs and timelines typically associated with two separate native builds.
Our Solution
Rapid Prototyping and Design
Before writing a single line of code, our design team established a working prototype of the app. This allowed the client to review the user experience and app structure at a very early stage. By visualising the twelve distinct page templates and the onboarding process, we could iterate quickly based on feedback. This proactive approach is a cornerstone of our MVP development process, ensuring the final product aligns perfectly with user expectations.
Hybrid App Development with Flutter
To solve the challenge of cross platform consistency, we utilised the Flutter framework. This allowed us to build a single codebase that delivers high performance applications for both iOS and Android. By choosing hybrid app development, we were able to significantly reduce the time to market while ensuring the app felt responsive and fluid. This was particularly important for the "swipe" functionality we implemented for user connections, which requires smooth animations to feel natural to the user.
Scalable Backend Infrastructure
For the backend, we implemented a robust architecture using AWS EC2 with a Node.js and Express.js stack. To handle the varied data of a growing professional network, we selected DynamoDB as our primary database. This combination provides a scalable foundation that can easily expand as the user base grows. Our expertise in healthcare app development and related sectors meant we were well equipped to handle the data security requirements, ensuring all connections were established over SSL and backed by secure authentication.
Intelligent Matching and Messaging
The core of the Research Network is its ability to facilitate meaningful connections. We built a sophisticated search engine that allows users to filter the network by organisation, skills, or job title. Once a connection is made through the like/dislike swipe interface, users can enter a secure chat environment. This system includes text messaging, push notifications, and email alerts to ensure consultants never miss a critical business opportunity.
The Results
Since its launch in 2020, The Research Network has successfully bridged the gap between pharmaceutical consultants and service providers. The application has transformed a previously fragmented process into a cohesive digital community.
Increased Professional Connectivity: The app has provided a centralised hub where consultants can find niche opportunities that were previously hidden within private networks.
High User Adoption: By delivering a custom design that prioritises professional utility, the platform saw immediate traction among its target pharmaceutical audience.
Streamlined Onboarding: The onboarding process successfully captures detailed professional data without overwhelming the user, resulting in high quality profile completion rates.
Future Proof Foundation: The AWS and Flutter architecture has proved to be exceptionally stable, providing a reliable platform that the client can extend with new features as the network evolves.
Efficient Communication: The integrated notification system has significantly reduced the time it takes for consultants to respond to enquiries, speeding up the overall pace of industry collaboration.
Technical Highlights
Flutter Framework: Used for high performance cross platform mobile development.
AWS Infrastructure: Utilising EC2 for services and DynamoDB for a flexible, scalable database solution.
Node.js & Express.js: Providing a fast and reliable backend environment for handling complex search queries.
SSL Encryption: Ensuring all data moving in and out of the application is fully protected.
Custom UI Design: Adhering to Apple and Google accessibility guidelines for a professional user experience.
Integrated Alerts: A multi channel notification system including push and email alerts for real time engagement.
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