Building a software ecosystem for a start-up retail business
Nguyen, Phuc (2021)
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021053012546
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021053012546
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this study was to build a software ecosystem for Company X, a start-up retail business in fashion industry. The platform built consisted of two user-facing applications and several behind-the-scenes applications without user interfaces. The first user-facing application was an E-Commerce tool, developed using React and React Native, for customers to browse products and place orders. Operational application was the other user-facing React application for the case company’s employees to handle customers’ orders. Regarding the applications without user interfaces, those were designed based on domains with different responsibilities to avoid all business logic being squashed into the same application. This approach will ensure the scalability, resilience and maintainability of the whole ecosystem.
Throughout many customer surveys and interviews, feedback was sufficiently gathered to build customer journey map. Customer journey mapping visualized customer experience throughout stages while interacting with products or services to seek for fashion accessories and items. As a result, the case company was able to understand customers’ needs and interests, as well as identify the problems to solve. Subsequently, a user story map was constructed based on customer journey map, aiming to generate ideas about the features of Company X’s products that would solve the most problematic points for customers and fulfill their primary demands. Moreover, user story mapping allowed the case company to collect and organize ideas, so that the products can be developed further, reaching towards the products’ visions and company’s vision.
After conducting this study with Company X, the initial goals have been achieved, where the software ecosystem architecture was envisioned, and the MVP version was built to pilot with the customers. In addition, the case company was able to gain more insight about the usage behaviors of their existing and potential customers, as well as generate innovative ideas to further develop the products and reach out to more customers.
Throughout many customer surveys and interviews, feedback was sufficiently gathered to build customer journey map. Customer journey mapping visualized customer experience throughout stages while interacting with products or services to seek for fashion accessories and items. As a result, the case company was able to understand customers’ needs and interests, as well as identify the problems to solve. Subsequently, a user story map was constructed based on customer journey map, aiming to generate ideas about the features of Company X’s products that would solve the most problematic points for customers and fulfill their primary demands. Moreover, user story mapping allowed the case company to collect and organize ideas, so that the products can be developed further, reaching towards the products’ visions and company’s vision.
After conducting this study with Company X, the initial goals have been achieved, where the software ecosystem architecture was envisioned, and the MVP version was built to pilot with the customers. In addition, the case company was able to gain more insight about the usage behaviors of their existing and potential customers, as well as generate innovative ideas to further develop the products and reach out to more customers.