In this article, you will find the story of the tool we developed to streamline and improve school operational and security activities, from the initial idea to its implementation. The challenges we faced and the creative solutions we implemented to ensure student safety are the cornerstone of the Dashpass project.
Project Development
The client had a clear vision: to create a system that significantly improves daily safety and operations in schools. This specific need turned into a project that spanned four years, during which functionalities were added and technical and operational challenges were tackled.
The main challenge was to design an efficient data migration system using zip files to upload information about guardians, teachers, and students. Additionally, the mobile application needed to get profit from geolocation to notify administrators when a guardian was ready to pick up their students. The project’s objectives were defined in an initial planning phase. During this initial phase, phase deadlines were established, prioritizing the application’s functionality over the initial design.
Design and Priorities
The initial interface design was intentionally simple, focusing first on essential functionality. Over time, as the project progressed and user feedback was received, the design was improved to make it more intuitive and visually appealing. However, security was always a priority, ensuring the protection of personal data such as emails, phone numbers, and location data.
Technical Challenges
The main technical challenges included creating a data migration system using CSV files and implementing geolocation for real-time notifications. Data migration required a meticulous approach to ensure the accuracy and traceability of the transferred information. Geolocation, on the other hand, involved developing a method that could efficiently handle the real-time notification that the guardian was on-site.
Native applications were developed for Android and iOS to ensure an optimal user experience and take advantage of the specific capabilities of each platform. This included implementing push notifications and integrating with geolocation services.
Testing Process
The testing process was rigorous. It began with exploratory testing to identify potential issues and design detailed use cases for writing the test cases. Once the system appeared stable, regression testing was conducted to ensure that new features did not affect existing ones. If the tests were error-free, the system was ready for production.
Implementation
User feedback was crucial for the continuous improvement of the system. As feedback was received, new functionalities were incorporated, and existing ones were redefined. This allowed the system to grow with a positive impact on the daily operations of schools.
The result of this effort is “Dashpass,” an application increasingly used in North America, Central America, and other parts of the world. Dashpass has proven to be an effective tool not only for the improvement of school safety but also for optimizing daily operations. This success is largely due to the collaborative approach and the ability to adapt and continuously improve based on user feedback.
The development of this project has been a challenging but rewarding journey. From conception to implementation, numerous obstacles were overcome, and valuable lessons were learned. Dashpass not only improves safety and operations in schools but also shows the power of technology to make a significant difference in daily life. This project has laid the foundation for future developments and improvements, and the team is proud to have been part of this innovative journey.
Por Agostina Zandomeni