Technical Strategy: In the Mind of a CEO
Since adding more team members to our squad, I’ve been focusing on collaborating across all departments to push the tech boundaries that align with our business objectives. The goal is to not only advise the team on what we need today, but also strategize future requirements of OnStation for the ever-evolving industry. Sure, introducing VR into the app would be huge with the uprising trend, but does it make sense right now or for the future? Our 2022 technical strategy will allow us to focus on evolving our app and staying competitive in this digital age. I have laid out a few of our goals driven from our technical strategy this year.
Pictured: The OnStation Team - (Top Left) Brennan Hamstra, Pam Rhyder, Chris Phillip, Jake Bailosky, Jessica Kodrich, Patrick Russo, Arry Lazaridis, Saeed Tawil, Dave Thomas, Lindsay Buckley (Bottom Right)
Eliminate Limitations
Have you ever used an app that didn’t work in the way you intended or hoped? Suddenly you are hitting that dreadful uninstall button we despise here at OnStation. Our team works hard to avoid that by creating a powerful, yet easy to use app that empowers our users to work smarter, not harder. Eliminating any factors that would limit a user from downloading or using the app is crucial to any app’s success. With this in mind, we have created the solution of “OnStation Everywhere.”
Example 1: Offline Functionality
After a diagnosis, we realized our app’s limitations were due to factors outside of the app. Being on a roadway project in a location with no cell service is quite common and was a major roadblock for our app’s performance. Our team started investigating options of launching some type of offline functionality that allowed users to access their projects within the app anywhere, anytime.
I’m excited to announce that offline functionality is now available in our app! Learn how to work this offline feature so, you are not left in the middle of nowhere without stationing.
Example 2: Details, Details, Details
OnStation has many features that workers can utilize while on a roadway construction project. We wanted to push some of our features to heighten their value. Locating yourself on a project while using our Automatic Station Finder is our main selling point. But what if you don’t have stationing information? We have recently pushed out an update that allows our users to locate themselves on a job using LRS, Mile Marker, and lat/lon measurements. No more stationing needed!
Consider Partnerships/Integrations
Between the project management, quality control, and construction tool software's out there, we have many opportunities to expand our business through partnerships. Business partnerships can be an unbelievably valuable tool to help our business grow and grow fast. A few details I look at when considering a partnership include, but are not limited to:
Scalability: The gains of partnership must outweigh the cost.
Roles & Expectations: Creating clarity on goals within the partnership and how they will be achieved will set up guidelines and expectations for each party to follow.
Trial Run Analysis: Before we jump headfirst into a partnership, we want to make sure this is the right fit for each party. This will not only help you define the benefits, but also so everyone can see the value.
Delivering Real Value: Does this partnership solve a real problem, or will it result in a “nice to have” new benefit?
Increase Production & Turn Around Time
We were able to expand our team in 2021 with new funding, thus greatly increasing our ability to improve OnStation. Moving into 2022 full steam ahead, we have some big goals and initiatives for our entire team.
Streamline Project Development
The engineering team is continuing to streamline project delivery, making it quicker and easier to submit projects and access them in OnStation. We have also been working closely with our customer success and marketing departments to automate and help develop systems to better serve our users during the onboarding and project development processes. Check out our new Project Submission form!
Strengthen User Experience
More focus is going towards a smoother and stable user experience. Since our customers are on active jobsites, we understand that desktop functionality is not a high priority for them. With OnStation being a mobile app, we constantly ask ourselves:
How can we automate functions within the app to increase jobsite efficiency?
Is our app compatible with the ever-changing elements on a jobsite? (Example: Can you work in the app even if the sun is glaring on your screen?)
Is there a way we can simplify functionality and ease app navigation?
Great apps just work! We strive towards this goal every day in the office.
Final Thoughts
As I look back, it’s awesome to see how much OnStation has improved and how much our user base has grown. It’s been a challenge but well worth it.
As I look forward, I’m excited about our new team, what we’re capable of doing, and how our work will positively impact the daily work life of road workers. OnStation is truly in motion and making a difference!
Written By: Patrick Russo