”MJØLNER IS A SKILLED BUSINESS PARTNER
THAT WE TRUST TO DO THE JOB”
Finn Rasmussen, Project Manager, Kamstrup
1st Issue 2015
EDITORIAL
YOUR BUSINESS,
OUR PRIORITY
2014 was a great year for Mjølner. We formed even stronger
Learn how our consultants have helped create user-centric
partnerships with our clients, created a new home for
and innovative solutions. We also present you with our
TouchGFX, welcomed 19 new members to our team, and
year in review.
had the best annual result to date.
As a tech fix, we have put together a list of pros and cons
Our strategy is quite simple: Your business is our priority.
for which platforms to choose for app development.
With more than 26 years of experience, we know that
putting your customers center-stage enables effective
digital solutions that add value to your business.
A strong partnership built on trust lets us help your
business stay ahead. We take pride in knowing your
Best Regards,
business, customers, and context. With this foundation,
and with our innovative approach, we take you from idea
to digital product.
On the following pages, we bring you stories about our
partnerships with Kamstrup and DBA.
Brian Gottorp Jeppesen, CEO
UPDATE
CASE
KAMSTRUP: CROSS-PLATFORM
PROTOTYPE IN 100 HOURS
We delivered technical proof-of-concept for
Kamstrup’s READy app. Based on a pre-study,
we built a prototype providing clarification for
their technical and business possibilities within
cross-platform mobile development.
Technical Clarification
Kamstrup wanted to investigate the possibilities of
making READy a cross-platform app, functioning on iOS
and Windows Phone in addition to the Android platform.
It was important for Kamstrup to maintain specific
Kamstrup is among the world’s leading total suppliers
features of the existing Android app in the cross-platform
of intelligent metering solutions. Their solutions cover
solution. For instance, the app needed to be able to run
meters for electricity, heat, cooling, and water.
undisturbed in the background of phones, and certain
The cross-platform prototype for READy running on Android, Windows & iOS phones
Bluetooth possibilities should be present.
Energy and water meters are installed in homes worldwide
From Pre-Study to Prototype
Clarification for General Use
and reduce administrative burdens for collecting and
It was with these criteria in mind that Kamstrup turned to
To explore the READy app’s cross-platform potential,
Even though this specific cooperation with Kamstrup
billing water consumption.
Mjølner and asked for assistance.
we studied the possible frameworks and technologies.
centered on the READy app and its cross-platform
possibilities, the project also gave Kamstrup clarification
Professional Service Tool
Mjølner is a skilled business partner and one we trust to do
With basis in the study, we wrote a report on the different
READy is a very useful service tool for professionals
the job. We are happy with the result they delivered.
platforms, for instance HTML5 and Xamarin, and gave a
working on water and heating plants. It is an Android app
- Finn Rasmussen, Project Manager, Kamstrup
recommendation on how to move forward in the process.
for their future mobile development.
The solution is valuable to us, as it provides a solid
background for decision-making processes in the future.
that uses Google Maps to place metering installations.
After receiving the report, Kamstrup wanted a prototype
- Finn Rasmussen, Project Manager, Kamstrup
With the app, service technicians can read meters simply
READy is an android app enabling quick, simple,
using the recommended framework, which proved to be
by driving or walking in a close-by area. Phone calls or text
and cost-effective meter reading for professionals
Xamarin. We outlined the specific demands of the READy
In Need of a Prototype?
messages do not interfere with the app.
working on water and heating plants.
app and made a prototype. All in just 100 hours.
Frederik Winstrup Johansen
[email protected]
2014
2014 IN REVIEW:
A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
2014 was a great year for us in many ways. We started
a new company, welcomed 19 new team members,
and our annual accounts broke three records.
rather than technology with our clients, and our annual
All of the 75 Mjølner team members have been
working hard in 2014, achieving some great results.
This is our 2014 in review.
We Are Ready for a Great 2015!
We are quite sure that our strategy is working and
the first couple of months of 2015 have been a
continuation of our 2014 success. We are more than
ready to strengthen our clients’ businesses with
technology, innovation, and design in 2015.
Our Strategy Is Working
With more than 26 years of experience, we know a
thing or two about technology.
We have, however, had some difficulties communicating the business potentials of our technical
solutions effectively.
2014 became the first year for us to truly succeed in
this, and our clients have responded to our efforts.
accounts tell us that we need to keep doing that.
- Brian Gottorp Jeppsen, CEO, Mjølner Informatics
Does Your Business Need Our Help?
The scene of technology is constantly changing, and
it is our job to make sure your business stays ahead.
We take pride in acquainting ourselves with your
business, customers, and context.
With our knowledge about you and our innovation
approach, we take you from idea to digital product.
In the IT industry, we are very good at being specific. We
focus on the technical details of a project, forgetting
to convey the business value that IT solutions
bring. In 2014, however, we have talked business
Brian Gottorp Jeppesen
+45 41 95 36 26
[email protected]
We started
Draupner Graphics A/S
The media picked up on
a lot of our stories
We welcomed
19 new team members
We ate 564 kg of carrots
and 9400 pieces of fruit
THE AVERAGE MJØLNER
EMPLOYEE 2014
36.9 years of age
(from 23 to 57)
Started at Mjølner 5.5 years ago
(from one week to 26 years)
Male
(82% male, 18% female)
CASE
PICKING THE BRAINS
OF DBA’S USERS
DBA picked the brains of their users in a pop-up lab
in Aarhus downtown to understand the actual user
experience of their platforms.
cut it. User experience is all about getting a holistic picture
and it came naturally to us to ask them again. The job
We Did Not Even Think of That…
of the users’ likes and dislikes.
they delivered is as always of high quality.
One of the main findings was that the users want to be
- Christian Dürr, Software Developer at DBA
Big data is not always enough. We need to get our
DBA brought their employees and users together in a pop-
hands dirty.
and rather understandable suggestion, but one that the
With only 20 hours dedicated for the project, Mjølner
- Nikolaj Gjeding Larsen, CEO at DBA
up lab in Aarhus downtown in the beginning of December.
able to see their ads before publishing them. A simple
software developers did not realize on their own.
managed to find the right questions, create interview
guides, and coach the DBA employees during the pop-up
CEO Nikolaj Gjerding Larsen was more than pleased with
For two weeks, the employees picked the brains of the
The software developers used the pop-up lab as the setting
lab. This ensured that DBA got what they set out for –
the project, and he wants to use the same set-up in the
users, detecting the good and the bad about DBA’s ”sell
for hands-on user tests and interviews.
good and inspirational conversations with Mr. and Mrs.
future. The pop-up lab and DBA’s work with user-centricity
Denmark about their ”sell your items” flow experiences
made the headlines with an article in Børsen in January.
your item” flow, new ideas, and the overall user experience
of DBA’s platforms.
With a qualitative approach to the individual users, DBA’s
employees were able to reach their users in a new and
It’s All about the Users
alternative way, providing new inspiration for their daily
Unhappy users are bad business for DBA. Their platform
work.
depends on the users’ willingness and ability to post items
in order to sell their used goods. This makes a user-friendly
Anchoring the User Perspective in Just 20 Hours
approach important.
December is a busy time for DBA, and they needed some
help in order to get the most of the user interaction. This
DBA is a frontrunner in utilizing click-statistics, and they are
is where Mjølner came in.
constantly perfecting their platforms.
Mjølner is a great business partner and one that we trust
When it comes to user experience, statistics do not always
to do the job. We have used Mjølner consultants before,
and wishes.
TECH
NATIVE
WHICH PLATFORM TO CHOOSE
FOR APP DEVELOPMENT
VS.
The app market is constantly changing. As platforms offer different advantages, how do you choose the right
one? In this piece, we give you some pros and cons of the most popular platforms used in app development.
NATIVE APP DEVELOPMENT
+
Pros
Native apps give access to thoroughly tested APIs,
HTML APP DEVELOPMENT
+
As native apps are platform specific, they utilize
+
-
-
Cons
HTML apps tend to vary in quality depending on browser
Cons
and platform. This often leads to workarounds in order to
With native apps, you agree to use tools and
achieve a satisfying quality.
programming languages dictated by others such as
Apple and Google.
-
HTML apps do not need platform specific APIs and
to a native app.
You get great control over resources, which makes it
easy to create smooth animations.
Maintenance and creation costs are often high, as you
need to develop the same app for each platform.
+
Pros
Hybrid apps offer fast development that do not require
-
platform specific APIs.
+
programming languages and you can create apps similar
platform specific features with a high performance.
+
With HTML, you are able to create everything from mobile
HYBRID APP DEVELOPMENT
apps to desktop applications.
making way for high quality apps.
+
Pros
HTML
+
Hybrid apps also allow for easy reuse of existing pages
from e.g. websites.
The hybrid platform needs specific bridges for
HTML content to interact with apps. If you use nonlocal HTML, you will need to take additional safety
Access to native app features will enable creation of
apps similar to native.
Cons
measures.
-
Existing webpages must be fitted to the screen size of
the target device.
-
The look and feel needs platform specific adjustments
in order to present a high quality app.
KAMSTRUP: CROSS-PLATFORM PROTOTYPE IN 100 HOURS
2014 IN REVIEW: A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
PICKING THE BRAINS OF DBA’S USERS
WHICH PLATFORM TO CHOOSE FOR APP DEVELOPMENT
Mjølner Informatics A/S
Finlandsgade 10, DK-8200 Aarhus N
+45 70 27 43 43
www.mjolner.dk
[email protected]