Wialon - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

Experience is what we have most. We have been developing the previous version of Wialon app for more than four years. That time, we had several features and optimizations we couldn’t introduce due to the established architecture. Being B2B, the app is also revised by business managers worldwide who provide valuable feedback every day. With the number of users growing, the team remained the same. And it was hard for us to support and adjust the app to user demands. Based on the experience, we released the new Wialon mobile application featuring the new architecture and design. We use CLEAN-architecture allowing for more flexibility, not to mention faster architecture adjustments and adding new components. All this using Kotlin and Swift language.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

It’s hard to specify the one. At first sight, the app doesn’t seem complicated, but from a technical point of view, it’s not like that. Take, for instance, switching between a variety of cartographic components. The app not only displays maps, but also shows hundreds of event markers, groups them, depicts tracks, geofences, and other points of user interest. Plus, we have to ensure continuous data security for our users. To protect personal data from destruction, loss, alteration or disclosure is our top priority in both web and mobile interfaces. The app is a part of Wialon platform – the largest and one of the most complicated on the market. Considering this, web-mobile data synchronization took plenty of time. As the platform is designed to solve almost any business-specific task, it was crucial to establish a swift and stable data exchange with the app. On the other side, we had users who were not interested in the technical part and demanding everything in one app. Plus, they needed everything working smoothly with no delays and minimized traffic consumption. The challenge was to get out a message: “We can’t include all the functions of Wialon platform in the app.” The platform is capable of too much to transfer it into the mobile app. It demanded hours of analytics to identify the most useful and desirable functionality. In the end, we have many businesses abandoning web-interface and switching to mobile app only.

Name a few of your favorite apps and reason you love them.

As a B2B software developer, I’ll name the one saving the most money for our clients. It’s WiaTag application turning your mobile device into a GPS tracker. I can’t even count the number of courier businesses using it worldwide to control mobile employees, the number of Alzheimer patients lost and located by mobile device, and a number of production specialist saved in remote areas having this app running on a smartphone. I use if to share precise locations with my friends and test my driving style.

How long have you been working on this app?

Four years developing the previous version and a year focused on the new app. We devote much time to quality assurance and try to interact with users from the very beginning. The new Wialon app was released the following way: 1. Beta-version for user testing 2. Feedback collection 3. Putting feedback into practice Repeat point bullets “2” and “3” over and over.

What need of the user did you have in mind when developing this app?

Our users are businesses. In this case, there are two primary needs for all times – savings and optimization. At large, we are together pursuing the goals. At roots, our user and their demands are diverse. Wialon app can be used to track a person or an oil tanker, a truck, or a diesel generator. We follow the projects implemented with the app, analyze usage statistics and feedback, and closely cooperate with businesses to build the development roadmap.

In what way do you think your app is better than similar apps on the market? Please describe in detail what innovation you think you bring and what you are proud of in your app.

Competition drives progress. We monitor similar apps mainly not to repeat their mistakes and oversee the approaches to user-friendly design. The power of Wialon platform determines the power of the app. The innovations first appear in the platform. Then, we pick up the best and adapt it to the needs of mobile users.

What are your future plans and expected features of the coming new versions of this app?

Our previous app was intended for online tracking. The new app allows users to analyze data, manage system elements from the app, and connect video streaming from MDVRs to Wialon app. Our goal is to offer a fully-fledged mobile app for those not willing or not having a chance to use the web interface of the platform.

Assuming new users of your app are reading this page. What do you want to ask them to do (contact you about X, Share the app, etc.)?

Contact us. Try the app. Contact us again for feedback so that we could adjust it to the needs of your business. If you are somehow into satellite monitoring, connected assets, and IoT, you won’t regret it.