• Introduction
  • Customer’s Problem
  • Customer Interaction
  • Solution Offered
  • Technology
  • Final Benefit

Introduction

Creative Media Maker

Our client, the San Diego, CA based firm in association with another big corporation had an idea rather a gap to be filled in the business.They saw an opportunity in the multi-billion dollar print industry using a one-of-a kind platform which could connect print service providers and customers with a powerful web based design tool.

URL:
https://inclix.com/my-account/index.html

Customer’s Problem

Customer’s Problem:

Our client needed a platform that could bring the sign professionals and their customers together for business purposes. The requirements of the client was of a software that would simplify and quicken the production of designs for digital or print displays having pre-built designer templates, professional grade design tools and better workflow management. The aim was to help users to make more money and give them the facility to work on projects through a web browser from anywhere, without having to incur the huge price of outsourcing.

Customer Interaction

Customer Interaction:

We understood that our client needed a lightweight process framework for wide-usage. Hence, we chose Agile SCRUM for the software development. While building this project we kept in mind the evolving nature of the business idea.

Even before we had our first backlog set, we knew one thing was certain, i.e.,we had to have two definite sub parts:

1.The Design Tool

2.The Business Platform

With that in mind, we decided to deploy two teams to build an architecture which could grow independently and communicate with each other.

Solution Offered

Solution Offered to Client:

  • We made a software system that allowed the print service providers to design their print material using the design tools along with a provision to directly communicate with the customer throughout the project tenure.
  • We also used a cloud based storage mechanism to allow the designers store all their project/order related files and resources.
  • The design tool was such made as could be initiated using a custom size, predefined size or a predefined template with placeholders. So that once the tool is loaded with the preferred size or template, the user can search images from the web right from the tool and drag and drop them in their design.
  • We integrated Shutterstock, Depositphotos, Pixabay and Unsplash for this feature.

The design tool had the following features:

  • Color (65536 colors available)
  • Text
  • TextBox (Multi Line)
  • Shapes
  • Layers
  • Groups
  • Ungroup
  • Grid
  • Image from Web
  • Image upload
  • Image from library
  • Resize
  • Rotate
  • Zoom in
  • Zoom out
  • Fonts

The platform used hierarchical set of users which had a pre-defined role in the system. Each set had different restrictions/privileges across the system. Some defined roles were controlled using a recurring subscription system while some could only be assigned by an admin.

The initial break up for the MVP (Minimal Viable Product) was as follows:

1.Free User

2.Basic User

3.Print Service Provider (PSP)

4.Template Creator

  • We allocated a cloud space for the users for storing their project assets on a monthly basis. There was also provision to purchase extra storage in case a user ran out of space.
  • After the successful creation of the design, followed by the payment, the user could download the non-watermarked image in PDF JPEG or PNG formats which were ready for printing.
  • Another feature called the soft proof was added to the software for quick client proofing. By clicking on the feature the designer could easily send his design to the customer through an email for the latter’s opinions and feedback. The customer could open the email and write his comments about the design and send it back to the designer.
  • The system is also equipped with some more modules like groups, group chat, coupons, template creator, community, and many more.

Technology

Technology We Used:

  • Web server: Apache 2.4
  • Programming language: PHP 5.6
  • Scripting language:Javascript
  • Database: MySQL 5.5
  • Framework: Magento 1.9, FabricsJS
  • Cloud computing web service: Amazon S3
  • Payment gateway: Stripe
  • Image library API
  • Software image editor/suite: Image Magic

Final Benefit

Final Benefit:

Creative Media Maker platform made a significant impact in the US print media market.It was also featured as an official application for Roland DGA printers.The platform we created was also published on multiple magazines.And since the system has the ability to grow the two sections of the platform independently, it was easy to maintain and expand.

 

On Demand Project

This project was a done on a dedicated hiring basis.