Landing page – CrowdEnergy

Crowd Energy: How technology is helping build a sustainable future in the energy sector

Energy is becoming a central issue in the 21st century. The Crowd Energy project has earned the label “first of its kind” – not only because of its goal to save energy, but also because of the way in which the project has been delivered – quickly, efficiently and cheaply. Crowd Energy focuses on energy conservation for electric vehicles and at the same time represents the first peer-to-peer electricity marketplace designed for a modern and sustainable world. This project shows that modern technology and sustainable development are not incompatible concepts, but can work together successfully to bring new possibilities for the future. We created a web and mobile app for Crowd Energy that allows users to buy and sell electricity easily and intuitively. Within as little as 5 weeks, we were able to create and deliver the final project – including a number of design changes. To reduce costs, we took a PWA approach that allowed us to create both a web and mobile app at the same time. The app is integrated with Amazon AWS.

Scope and highlights

Business Context

The Crowd Energy project was created in response to the current state of the energy industry and its impact on the environment. The aim of the project was to create a modern and sustainable electricity market for electric vehicles and to enable users to conserve energy easily and efficiently.

Crowd Energy offers the first peer-to-peer electricity marketplace that allows users to sell and buy energy among themselves, without the need for traditional power companies. In doing so, this project provides new opportunities for a sustainable and responsible approach to energy use and demonstrates that modern technology can also be used for environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions.

Key challenges

During the development of Crowd Energy, we tackled several key technological challenges.

Implementation

of a secure and reliable system for peer-to-peer electricity transactions.

Integration

with existing distribution networks and user authentication.

Creating

a user-friendly and intuitive interface allowing users to buy and sell energy easily and conveniently.

Ensuring

that the system had sufficient capacity and flexibility to cope with the rapid growth in the number of users and transactions, which required the use of modern technology and architecture.

Process

The development of the Crowd Energy project was based on a PWA (Progressive Web App) approach. This approach allowed us to create an app that works equally well not only on mobile devices, but also on the web, which also helped us reduce the time spent on the project.

PWA apps provide a faster and more efficient user experience, are easy to update, and don’t require a download from the app store.

When it came to creating the product, we focused on the complete design and provided not only development, but also mentoring.

The first step was to wireframe the app, after which we created the entire design. Then we began the development stage, where we used React technology and real-time data retrieval – Amazon AppSync.

During the development process, we ensured that the app was secure. and provided reliable results thanks to Amazon Cognito.

The Crowd Energy app is based on a peer-to-peer principle, which means it allows users to sell and buy energy amongst themselves, without the need for traditional energy companies.

The entire development process of Crowd Energy was aimed at creating a sustainable and responsible approach to energy use.

The use of modern technology such as PWAs and peer-to-peer has allowed us to create an application that provides new opportunities for energy use and contributes to better environmental protection.

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The result

The Crowd Energy project aims to break free from the traditional model of supplying electricity through conventional grids. We believe that the future will bring greater freedom to make decisions about clean energy sources and the exact time and place of energy consumption.

Together with Crowd Energy, we’ve created a platform to help individuals and businesses deliver electricity to anyone who needs it, regardless of location. This way, property or home owners can monetise their electricity while allowing

Others to conveniently charge their electric vehicles, scooters, bikes and other devices. This platform allows consumers and energy providers to benefit from individual charging stations that can be installed in any village or city in the world.

By plugging into renewable energy generation systems such as solar panels, Crowd Energy’s network succeeds in reducing the financial and environmental impact of our lives on the planet.

Innovation

in GreenTech

In today’s world, energy is constantly in the spotlight. The electrification of cars and the prevalence of alternative means of transport such as scooters, seated scooters and bicycles have become the most obvious changes in modern society. This shift in transport opens up new opportunities that include a greener and more sustainable future.

The use of solar systems has greatly simplified access to the electricity generation market. However, this creates concerns for traditional electricity providers, who control the market through power grids.

Crowd Energy represents an innovation in GreenTech by bringing a new approach to the use of renewable energy. It uses modern technology and the internet to create a global network of charging stations that are connected to individual energy sources, such as solar panels.

This project enables people and businesses to save money while helping protect the environment by reducing the amount of emissions produced, thereby contributing to a greener future.

The benefits of the Crowd Energy system

Striving

for sustainability and environmental protection.

The possibility

of generating income from own electricity production.

Providing

users with access to electricity without restrictions, anywhere in the world.

Promoting

the development of alternative transport and its electrification.

Savings

Financial and environmental savings due to the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Simplifying

access to the electricity generation market and creating competition for traditional energy providers.

Creating

new opportunities for property owners and homeowners, who can sell their excess energy while helping other users recharge their devices.

Making

the most of existing energy resources.

Crowd Energy

features

registration
localisation
adding and modifying individual services
interactive map with services
filtering services by type
marking a service as favourite (heart)
rating the service by a number of stars

The project involved
a team of experts

Product team

PROJECT MANAGER
BUSINESS ANALYST

PM: Ivan Ďuriš

Developement team

ARCHITECT, DEVOPS, BACK-END DEVELOPERS,FRONT-END DEVELOPERS, QA

Lead developer: Jozef Kamenský

The development of Manger Online through the eyes of Jozef Kamenský

What did the beginning of the collaboration look like?

At the beginning of the project, it was important to align both project and technical expectations between Crowd Energy and our software house, as the scope of the project could be scaled from complex solutions to a basic operational version. We chose the basic operational version. This is because the MVP (minimum viable product) definition formed the basis of the collaboration and served as a skeleton for the synchronisation between design, Front End and Back End programming during the project.

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From Paper to Cloud: The Journey of Manager Online in Streamlining Business Operations

Cleaning services are certainly not lagging behind in the current digital revolution. With our help, startup Manager Online has changed the rules of the game. Clients no longer need paper-based receipts and supporting documents. Thanks to a straightforward app, business owners have a full overview of each and every move of their cleaning staff.

Saving time, costs and environmental sustainability are some of the many benefits that Manager Online has brought to cleaning services. Throughout this journey, Instea has become their stable partner not only in the field of development and technical support, but also for business issues and solutions.

Scope and highlights

Business Context

Cleaning services have long faced the problem of inadequate information about the activities of their staff. As a result, our partner, startup Manager Online, came to us with the idea of creating an app that would provide cleaning staff with an intuitive way to record their work or usage of specific supplies.

The app would also allow company managers to track all the staff data in real time and assign them additional tasks, as the cleaning of premises is often done during non-business hours by external companies.

Key challenges

In order to create a streamlined Manager Online system, we had to overcome several key challenges.

The creation of a digital solution

that fully replaces the traditional paper form and allows us to measure usage of supplies.

The provision

of easy communication and data transparency.

Collection and processing of data

from IoT devices and scanning devices used by the cleaning staff. This data was needed to create reports for the end customers and managers, thereby improving transparency and processes in the CleanTech industry.

Process

Initially, the project was managed by Vacuumlabs. The cooperation with the Manager Online team was smooth and without major issues. We started by rewriting their existing application within a different technology, replacing the original front end team and later the back end team.

As an experienced IT company, we supported startup Manager Online with the entire development cycle, from complex development, through testing, to sales activities.

Manager Online works with devices that collect various data in real time.

Therefore, it was important to design the architecture and core components of the application using React and Redux technology.

The Back End solution uses the Java programming language.

It forms the server part of the application that processes data coming from scanners. The application also utilises IoT devices to track and visualise cleaning machines. These machines communicate with the system via MQTT.

Familiar language allowed us to create a lively and intuitive UX/UI

That makes navigating the system quick and easy.

While working with the team from Manager Online

we initially chose to apply the SCRUM methodology and changed to Kanban further down the line. We used bi-weekly sprints to communicate what had been done, what the next plans were and we discussed any potential new requirements.

Through regular face-to-face meetings and transparent communication

with Manager Online, we were able to build not only a strong, but also a friendly relationship. We even sit together in the same office.

Interested?

Try a free

consultation!

The result

The right choice of the technology employed has improved the productivity and efficiency of data collection and processing. The result is a system that can not only solve identified problems proactively and in real time, but also significantly reduces client costs.

Manager Online is a digital system that allows businesses to manage cleaning services using a simple mobile app. Employees gained an easy way to record activities during their working day, along with the amount of supplies used.

The Online Manager

System saves up to hundreds of pages of regular reports each month.

The tender success

The tender success rate of cleaning companies has increased significantly after they showed that they use Manager Online.

2022 for the Manager Online

In 2022, the Manager Online system won the prestigious BUILD Facilities Management Awards 2022, making it one of the world’s leading systems for facilities management and administration.

Innovation

in CleanTech

CleanTech stands for “clean technology”. It is a field that focuses on the use of technology and innovative solutions to minimise the negative impact of human activities on the environment. CleanTech encompasses a variety of technologies, from renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings through to green transport solutions. The industry is constantly evolving, not least due to the increased need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems associated with traditional industrial processes and manufacturing.

Manager Online is contributing to these efforts with innovative solutions that are digitising cleaning services.

The benefits of the Manager Online system

Saving time and costs

Manager Online enables company executives to manage cleaning services more efficiently. Digital data logging enables instant data evaluation, improving decision-making and cleaning service results.

Improved communication

Manager Online delivers improved communication between staff and managers, ensuring better planning and management of services. In later stages, we also extended the product to include communication with targeted customers, giving us an even more detailed view of customer needs.

Better quality of services

All thanks to monitoring of staff activity.

Ecological sustainability

Monitoring and management of usage of supplies.

Simplicity of use

Anyone can work with the system following a brief training course.

Transparency

For staff who work from home.

Manager Online features

Each cleaner logs into the app before the start of their workday. This allows them to report on their activities throughout the day. This feature improves productivity and allows for efficient scheduling of their working hours. Workers can use the app to instantly record work completed and supplies used. Managers are able to track work progress in real time and respond immediately to any issues that are flagged.

The system offers an easy overview of work plans and the current status of their staff. They can schedule and distribute work with just a few clicks and track worker progress through regular reports and briefings. The application also offers features for scheduling regular tasks and for managing additional requests and incidents, as well as setting work rotas.

Immediate alerts and staff management

Manager Online is contributing to these efforts with innovative solutions that are digitising cleaning services.

Employee records

Manager Online allows you to assign employees to customers and the tasks they are due to carry out. You can record employee attendance using attendance cards and with the integrated calendar, you can easily plan and organise employee tasks and ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

You can find out more about Manager Online on their website.

The project involved
a team of experts

Product team

PROJECT MANAGER
BUSINESS ANALYST

PM: Ján Švantner

Developer team

ARCHITECT, DEVOPS, BACK-END DEVELOPERS,FRONT-END DEVELOPERS, QA

Lead developer: Jozef Kamenský

The development of Manger Online through the eyes of Jozef Kamenský

What did the beginning of the collaboration look like?

As with any relationship, it took some time for us to gel, develop a common language and get a feel for each other's expectations and ways of working. However, in the later stages of the project, communication was greatly helped by the fact that the client and I sat (and still sit) together in the same office.

What were the biggest challenges we faced?

The Biggest challenge of the project has been the creation of mobile applications. Applications must be as usable as possible even without access to the Internet, which requires a departure from the comfortable technology used in the development of applications. However, we have reached the desired state after thorough analysis and careful design of the solution. Users do not even notice the fact that they are working without access to the Internet.

What was the communication like?

I especially appreciate the openness and cooperation of the customer - he was always ready to answer questions and listen to our suggestions and observations. The common goal has always been to design a solution that is as lazy as possible to implement, but at the same time provides as much freedom as possible and is easy to use - when sometimes this meant ultimately surviving the original design.

What lessons can be learned from this project?

The main lesson and recommendation simultaneously - measure twice and cut once. It is always better to spend an hour on a proposal and a discussion, where inconsistencies are shown and clarified than to spend a day on implementation and then find out that the solution will not work and needs redone. Sharing our office with clients has also proven useful for us. The ability to quickly obtain or clarify a misunderstanding is priceless.

Quote by Manger Online

As a startup you need strong partners. Whatever it is you want to change with your idea, if software is a part of it, you will need experts in the field. Developing a software solution from scratch requires expertise, creativity, responsiveness, an experienced project management team and, last but not least, a well-positioned, qualified and motivated team of developers. This and more we found in Instea. Since we are determined to bring value to the industry of facility management and cleaning services, the biggest challenge in the beginning was to bring the Instea team up to speed with regards to all the specific needs and challenges within this industry. Throughout an impressively steep learning curve, Instea was quickly able to provide more value than “just” excellent and fast development results. Today our customers are using a solid, fast, and intuitive web application as well as native mobile applications to get all kinds of operational data, from cleaning times to quality audits, in real-time for an efficient and effective decision-making process. That said, Instea certainly has its share in the two Awards, ManagerOnline received in 2022. (The Facilities Management Award for the “Best Cleaners and Machinery Monitoring System “, and the Innovation and Excellent Award in the category “ Innovation in Cleaning Technology “)