Project Brief
Bluegrass Digital was selected by Union Swiss, makers of skin product brand Bio-Oil, to design and develop a new B2B marketing solution based on creating an Instagram-style mobile application. The purpose of the new mobile app is to provide distributors across the globe the ability to access brand content, news and information to support their marketing and sales initiatives. It is important that the new mobile app provides clear user journeys to ensure quick and easy access to content. The experience should invoke belief, pride and a compulsion to want to share its content with others.
Bluegrass Digital worked closely with Union Swiss team members to address the key challenges and ensure we deliver a solution that successfully meets the key objectives. The project used an agile methodology to deliver both the iOS and Android mobile app.
How we helped
The platform needed to have two key functions, explains Matthew Edwards, a solution strategist at Bluegrass Digital. Firstly, it needed to be a place where the Union Swiss team could communicate with and share information with their extensive pool of distributors. And secondly, it was intended to create a sense of community among distributors by giving them a platform to show what they are doing in their respective markets.
We wanted to create an “Instagram experience” but with a more corporate feel, he says. The app was designed to function as the only channel of communication between Union Swiss and their extensive distributor network, eliminating the email and extranet correspondence that was commonplace in the past. “Today, this is the primary way that we communicate with our distributors. Everything happens on the app,” adds Lombard
Key Features
- React Native mobile tech stack for Android and iOS
- .NET Core API architecture and integration
- Azure Storage for storing files
- Azure SignalR for real time chat functionality
- Azure Notification Hub for Push notifications
- Azure DevOps CI/CD for automated deployments to App stores
- Cosmos DB for data storage
- Google Firebase for in-app analytics
- App Messaging, comments and like functionality
- Admin approval and user management workflows
- Content reporting and moderation workflows
- Integrated emails and push notifications
The Result
A robust mobile application that encompasses and successfully portrays the professionalism and styling of the Union Swiss-owned Bio-Oil brand. The agile KANBAN approach allowed for the team to be flexible with iterative UX and design process allowing us to use a phased approach to the rollout of new features.
By working closely together with the Bio-Oil team, Bluegrass delivered a mobile application that enabled distributors and partners of Bio-Oil to seamlessly collaborate and interact across over 117 countries worldwide.
What our Client says
“I only have the highest praise for Bluegrass Digital and their contributions to our business.”
– Kim Lombard, CEO
Go to Clutch to read the full review.
More kind words
“Your guys’ professionalism, humour and sense of calm in the face of unrealistic client expectations have been phenomenal! And the quality of work you have delivered has been outstanding”
– Richard, Bio-Oil Technical Lead
