Bronze Software Labs, an award-winning West Midlands mobile application development company, builds custom mobile applications specialising in mobile augmented reality technologies.
Challenge:
Bronze Software Labs specialise in the mobile engineering sector and build bespoke enterprise-level applications to enable engineers to satisfy data entry requirements in the field – providing instant visibility, saving time, avoiding duplications and errors. The company was looking for advice and guidance in newer technologies, particularly in the deployment of Near Field Communication (NFC) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) within these mobile applications.
The solution
The NTAILS project is equipped with NFC devices, and staff offered guidance and recommendations relating to NFC development. Through the loan of equipment such as NFC-enabled smartphones and NFC tags from the project, Bronze Software
Labs could test and evaluate the technology before committing to any capital outlay, ensuring subsequent expenditure was relevant and catered to their requirements.
“We’re one of UK’s leading mobile application development specialists and one of the highest growth businesses in our region. Our team have been fortunate to benefit through hardware support from the NTAILS team to enable our NFC and RFID smart phone technologies. Through our associate with NTAILS we have also been introduced to a high-calibre graduate who is now a valuable member of our team.” Richard Howells, Founder and Director of Bronze Software Labs
The results
The NTAILS project provided a valuable, risk-free introduction to NFC devices – allowing Bronze to evaluate effectiveness and usability, without making a commercial commitment until they were satisfied it was appropriate. As an ICT company, NTAILS assistance gave them an opportunity to diversify into applying NFC technology into a range of different business applications. Their new expertise has further been supported by inclusion onto the NTAILS database of ICT providers for other companies wanting to adopt a solution. In addition, the project identified an opportunity for a graduate placement position within the company to assist in smartphone application development. The graduate was assigned for 12 weeks to develop a time-tracking application for the Android platform, using NFC/RFID technologies to act as a trigger.
About the Consultant:
Matthew Smith is a Technology Consultant in IT Futures. He has more than five years’experience in ICT involvement with industry and the SME community. Matt currently works on the NTAILS project providing technical advice, guidance and support. IT Futures brings sector-specific University of Wolverhampton expertise and innovativesolutions to businesses across the West Midlands region.
IT Futures is based at the University of Wolverhampton and brings together the expertise of the University’s School of Technology to businesses across the West Midlands Region.
For more information about the NTAILS project and how it can help your business, contact us on 01952 288210 or at