AutoForms Ltd.

The company

AutoForms Ltd. is the provider of SiteDatum® – a service for managing Health & Safety inspections. This includes compliance monitoring of building water systems for Legionella control, cleaning quality audits and housing condition surveys. SiteDatum is a well-established, large-scale multi-user service. It’s underpinned by a real-time, collaborative system that operates across web, email and mobile applications on both smartphones and tablets.

The requirement

The SiteDatum app needed to be migrated from Windows Mobile to Android, so it could be used on tablet devices. It also required the supporting database to be updated. AutoForms considered offshoring the work, but realised that having a UK-based resource would be critical for developing cost-effective and technically-sound solutions.

The solution

Microsec first set about mastering the technical landscape of AutoForms’ applications, databases and websites. With this knowledge we were able to successfully migrate to a hosted service, with no service interruption to SiteDatum’s national network of clients and mobile field workers.

For the migration from Windows Mobile to Android we undertook a complete redesign of the user interface and navigation. We also added new functionality to take full advantage of the much larger tablet screens.

Microsec employed Agile methodologies to allow technological advancement as both legislation and requirements moved on.

The result

The reaction to the new application from AutoForms’ own field-based users has been extremely positive. In fact, the company has seen the potential to grow its flagship service business on the back of it.

We demonstrated early on the capability to work in a more strategic role and, since then, Microsec and AutoForms have worked together on the continuous development of SiteDatum.

The technologies

• Database: Sybase SQL anywhere

• The server synchronised with the handhelds using their proprietary MobiLink framework

• Website/web application: ASP.net

• Mobile application: Xamarin.Android

Client testimonial

“We had originally considered offshoring this type of development but there’s no doubt in my mind that having a UK-based resource has been critical in developing cost-effective and technically-sound additions to our services. Telephone or video conferencing can’t beat a good brainstorming session, where we discuss new business ideas and refine creative technical solutions in person.” John Bound, AutoForms MD.