Cross-App Display Challenge

RT Dispatch Fidasys Inc. Challenges

The Problem

At Fidasys Inc., clients using two disparate products faced a significant issue: they had to switch between apps frequently, often encountering password prompts after periods of inactivity. We had less than a week to solve this issue, whereas reimplementing the requested services in the first app would have taken weeks.

The Impact

Switching between apps and frequent password prompts disrupted workflow, causing user frustration and nearly 40% of users to abandon the second app.

Solution

Rather than fundamentally changing the products, I embedded the required UI elements of the second app into the first one. This fresh, out-of-the-box idea eliminated the need for app switching and password re-entry, and avoided reimplementing services in the first app.

Additionally, the embedded UI is displayed in a side panel only if the first app receives messages from the second app, with message broadcasting configured server-side, ensuring feature transparency.

Implementation Approach:

  • Broadcast Receiver: Chosen as the interim solution due to tight deadlines and minimal security risks.
  • Content Provider: Planned for post-deadline implementation to improve security and stability.

Implementation

  • Hosted a 3-day solo development sprint to fast-track the solution.
  • Implemented and tested message broadcasting between the apps.
  • Developed the required data object serialization.
  • Embedded the required UI of the second app into a side panel of the first app.
  • Conducted thorough integration testing.

Results

  • Improved User Retention: Achieved a 50% increase in user retention for the second app.
  • Timely Delivery: Met the client’s requirements within the tight deadline.
  • Positive Feedback: Received strong praise from the CEO and the team for the innovative solution and hard work.
  • Efficiency: Saved weeks of development time through critical thinking and innovative problem-solving.

Future-Proofing

Post-delivery, we coordinated to implement the persistent solution using the Content Provider for enhanced security and stability.