Enterprise Integrations for Complex Systems
This is a story about how a proof of concept (POC) for an OutSystems customer turned into a technical partnership. And the best part? It took less than 2 hours.
The challenge
Our customer was investigating ways to replace an existing application built with traditional code and Xamarin. This application had the following requirements:
- Run on Zebra devices.
- Use the device scanning capabilities.
- Show a catalog and navigate to product details.
Because the OutSystems low-code platform is a great fit for these use cases, we decided to raise the stakes of the challenge:
- Integrate with back-end services.
- Provide full offline capabilities.
- Leverage device storage and processing capabilities.
The idea was to build a solution that could display a product catalog with a list of cards with the product picture, name and price. While on this screen, if someone scans a barcode using a device button or a button on the interface, they should move to the product detail screen. Scanning the barcode should be possible by using the device’s physical button or by pressing a button on the interface.
The POC focused on evaluating specific technical points such as time to load the app, latency, speed to scan products, and the time to develop the app. We started shaping the solution, but we lacked the experience to develop it for Zebra devices.
So, what is Zebra?
Imagine being deep into a warehouse without any connectivity, checking inventories, and then getting back to your workstation and seeing all your work synced with the back-end. Zebra Technologies (Zebra) makes that possible, by manufacturing and selling marking, tracking, and computer printing technology. Their line of mobile computing devices includes barcode scanners, mobile computers, tablets for business applications, RFID readers, and printers.
These devices are known for their durability, reliability, and performance in challenging work environments such as warehouses, manufacturing plants, and field operations. They are designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in industries that rely on data capture and real-time information processing. They can be used for price auditing, inventory management, delivery track and trace, field maintenance and inspections, and parking fines.
The OutSystems Community to the rescue
Zebra devices are Android-based, which, of course, is supported by OutSystems. So all we needed to do was find someone experienced with Zebra’s SDK to help us build a device plugin–or did we? In the end, we only had to go as far as the OutSystems Community, which has several Zebra plugins, including one for scanning developed by our partner Noesis.
The solution
With the target architecture, and proof points identified, we got to work. We set up the plugin, created the profiles, debugged the code, and used the platform’s built-in accelerators to deliver a final solution in less than 2 hours. The work included:
- Building the back-end product database using a sample Excel spreadsheet
- Building the application product catalog leveraging the back-end data
- A detail screen to present the detailed information
- Installing and setting up the community plugin to access the device's native scanning capabilities (laser scanning as opposed to camera ones)
In that 2-hour time frame, we also verified whether there would be any performance improvements or limitations when using the device offline by:
- Building device-local storage to replicate the product catalog on the device
- Creating all the synchronization mechanisms that update device data with server changes
- Creating screen replicas that use local data
This super-fast turnaround time was possible because the OutSystems low-code platform provides:
- A powerful visual IDE that enables developers to drag and drop UIs, business processes, business logic, and data models to build mobile apps
- Out-of-the-box AI automation and guidance: Options for automatically completing logic and workflows speed up development and ensure quality code
- UI patterns: More than 70 pre-built templates and patterns that make it easy to rapidly develop responsive screens for mobile apps
- App templates: Templates tailored to specific industries and use cases that show developers how to create custom, standards-compliant, easily maintainable software fast.
- Code modules: Thousands of pre-built first- and third-party source code modules that are available in a centralized repository.
- Community: The vibrant community that produced and supported more than 6750 reusable assets and accelerators
The beginning of a beautiful partnership
Because of the successful and easy PoC journey, a future for Zebra and OutSystems became clear. So we entered into a formal partnership with Zebra. Zebra has now certified that our community plugins comply with its strict validation criteria, assuring that any solution that you build with these two technologies will take full advantage of them.
In addition, the following OutSystems partners were part of our Zebra adventure.
Noesis
Noesis built the Zebra DataWedge plugin and shared it with the entire OutSystems community. Noesis played a pivotal role in transforming the client's inventory management system by developing a cutting-edge mobile app tailored to meet their specific needs. Using OutSystems, Noesis crafted a solution that replaced the client's outdated and inefficient system, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and data accuracy.
Collaborating with the client, Noesis ensured that the new app was equipped with advanced features such as real-time data synchronization, integration with Zebra devices for seamless barcode scanning, and secure access via Google Authenticator. This comprehensive approach not only resolved critical issues such as lost orders and inconsistent data but also empowered the client with a robust tool for centralized store inventory management. The successful deployment of the app across 365 stores in multiple countries underscores Noesis's commitment to delivering innovative and impactful solutions that drive business success.
Product League
Dutch supermarket chain COOP wanted to modernize daily operations at its stores. The challenge was that the stores were using multiple outdated methods to gather information from multiple systems. COOP wanted to bring all its processes together on one mobile app for Zebra devices. So, they turned to OutSystems Partner Product League to build the app to handle and track ordering, inventory management, shrinking, discounting, returning, quality, delivery arrival times, and more.
As a result, COOP store employees now have a portable and accessible Zebra app that has helped them:
- Increase efficiency and save costs.
- Spend less time correcting errors.
- Gain more insights into store operations,
- Become better informed with fewer constraints, which leads to a better customer experience.
Ready to build an application for Zebra devices?
Visit the OutSystems Forge to find the plugins you need.
