IoTech Awarded Progressive Web App Contract by BCP Council Smart Place

10 Nov IoTech Awarded Progressive Web App Contract by BCP Council Smart Place

IoTech Ltd, based in Poole, Dorset, are delighted to have been awarded the contract by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council to build a Progressive Web App (PWA) ‘MyBoscombe©’.

The Progressive Web App is being built to serve the community of Boscombe, a seaside resort that forms a suburb of Bournemouth, as part of the larger plan of BCP Councils ‘Smart Place’ team which seeks to deliver a resident-focused ‘app’.

BCP Council’s PWA will support the local area of Boscombe by offering an easy to use, reliable, fast and integrated app-like interface that engages all areas of the immediate and wider community. We aim to offer a concierge type service that enables the end user, at a tap or click of a screen, to quickly what’s available to them in the immediate area ranging from local events, local businesses from a multitude of industries to employment and well-being.

This is just the tip of the iceberg! There are many more interactive services that can be, and hopefully will be, made available as the ‘MyBoscombe©’ PWA is developed over time. BCP Council have been holding meetings and listening to the residents of Boscombe, understanding what their needs are, what they would like to see, and what would make them interact with this unique PWA. It’s now up to IoTech Ltd to deliver this app in a phase 1 rollout in 2022.

Whilst you read this article you may be asking yourself, “This all sounds great, however, what is a Progressive Web App? What’s so special about a PWA? Why is this any different to my usual web searching or other apps I use? What’s going to entice me to use it?”

IoTech hopes to answer these queries for you below:

What is a Progressive Web App?

A Progressive Web App is an enhanced version of your usual run of the mill apps, essentially combining the power of an app with that of your website. They’re reliable, accessible and engaging whilst offering the functionality to run on mobiles, tablets and desktops inclusive of both Android and IOS. This offers a fresh approach to ‘Native Apps’.

Hold on… what’s a Native App?

A Native App is usually developed specifically for one platform and are on the whole installed through an app store, such as Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. For example, WhatsApp is a  Native App that lives on your device and is accessed through an icon on your device home screen. The cost of constant development, testing, and maintaining Native Apps for several platforms is extremely time-consuming and expensive. A PWA is quite the opposite and can often be a fraction of the price allowing any size business to adopt this technology.

What’s so special about a PWA and why use it?

Let’s start with meaningful content, regardless of network conditions, as it has the ability to work seamlessly offline as well as online without breaking or becoming unresponsive. A Progressive Web App has all the functionality of a Native App but without the heavy storage needed for Native Apps and also loads instantly with low data consumption.

Hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of why BCP Council are keen to invest in such innovative technology and bring this to you, the consumer.

Michael Leggett, Managing Director of IoTech said “We’re passionate about enhancing the local Dorset area and in particular Boscombe, which is a part of Bournemouth that we know well with an active and vested interest. I myself have been involved with many aspects of the Boscombe community from theatre to charities, we’re truly grateful to have this opportunity. We honestly believe that IoTech is uniquely placed to help deliver this project for BCP Councils Smart Place team”.

If you have any questions surrounding PWA or would like to explore the benefits for your organisation, IoTech would be delighted to hear from you.  Contact us on: Info@the-iot.co.uk or call +44 (0)1202 914833