Extending Cenversa's Online Ordering Platform 

Stage 2 of the Cenversa Online Ordering project was to add mobile apps to extend the desktop ordering functionality.

A previous version of Cenversa's online ordering system had a limited mobile functionality, which used a specific phone in a barcode scanner cradle. This highlights the problem of hardware dependent systems. When the specific phone became unavailable and then unsupported the scanning function no longer worked and could not be updated.

Piapplications used a software based system which would work on any iOS or Android phone with a camera. This allows the software to evolve and be useable on the ever changing range of available phones.

Extending functionality and scope

A new barcode and QR code scanning system was added on to a mobile app that had essentially the full functionality of the desktop version

But itt went much further. The new apps allow multiple mobile devices to work in real time with the desktop version. This applies in either order generation or stocktake mode. The mobile apps devices work as versatile mobile input devices for the entire system.

Simultaneous Android and iOS app Development

The Cenversa platform was initially not one but two platforms. One for the Cenvet veterinary product division and one for the "Central Pet" pet products division). Each division had a separate look and feel as well as a mixture of common and unique product. 

This means Cenvet actually required four separate apps. (An iOS and and an Android app for each division

Piapplications develop the android and iOS apps essentially simultaneously. This means much faster development and much lower app development cost.