A boutique consultancy firm based in South Africa, the company specializes in consulting, training, and product development services. 

The team approached Vertis Microsystems to develop a comprehensive web-based (SaaS) inspection application with native iOS and Android apps. 

This application focuses on enabling organizations to comply with stringent rules and regulations to ensure the health and safety of all stakeholders. 

Business Problem

The company aimed to develop a mobile (tablet device) data capturing tool designed to streamline and automate certain tasks in the Safety, Health, Environmental, and Quality (S.H.E.Q.) sectors. This would ensure regulatory compliance while meeting the industry’s imposed requirements. The main components for development include: 

• Web pages for the product (Home, About Us, Product Information, Contact Us, Login/Register, etc.) 
• Web-interface connected to a database once logged in or registered 
• Augmented Reality component

Features

The application provides the following capabilities: 

• Customizable audit reports/checklists (form builder): 
  • Create custom audits from scratch 
  • Reuse existing audits 
  • Generate and edit audits on desktop computers with a spreadsheet and import them into the application 

• Verification of users via login/password, RFID-enabled card swipe, or fingerprints 
• Automatic audit report generation based on GPS coordinates or object recognition through augmented reality (e.g., QR Codes) 
• Signature/fingerprint recording on the device 
• Automatic recording of GPS coordinates and time stamps when actions are completed or at specified intervals 
• Export customizable checklist/audit reports in PDF format 
• Ability to share templates/checklists platform-wide 
• Take and edit photos to include in reports 
• Import files like PDF, Word, Excel, etc. 
• Score responses based on severity and likelihood 
• Weight categories based on performance and urgency 
• Branching and sub-categories for item customization 
• Responsive, customizable fields for actions/questions based on responses 
• Password protection for template locking by the administrator 
• Sequential document numbering, including device identification 
• Offline access with syncing when online 
• Geo-fencing for triggering notifications or checklists based on location 

Benefits

• Transition to a paperless environment in mining, engineering, manufacturing, and construction 
• Ensure regulatory governance and compliance 
• Support skills application and real-time training with multimedia tools 
• Verify the location and person conducting tasks 
• Integrated cloud-based data system backed by augmented reality and reliable hardware 
• Track and record task duration 
• Enhanced inspection/audit framework 
• Modular platform approach covering all aspects of inspection and audits 
• Timely data capture synced and backed up to the cloud 
• Immediate report generation using customizable templates 
• Record deviations and notify responsible persons 
• Track risk-based GAP closure activities 
• Proactive risk identification to prevent incidents and accidents

Usage

The application ensures a smooth development process via: 

• Policy, Leadership, and Commitment 
• Risk and Change Management 
• Legal and other requirements 
• Targets, Objectives, and Performance Management 
• Training, Awareness, and Competence 
• Communication, Consultation, and Involvement 
• Document and Data Control 
• Operational Control 
• Emergency Preparedness and Response 
• Contractors and Business Partner Management 
• Incident Reporting and Investigation 
• Monitoring, Audits, and Reviews 

Tools and Technology

• Ruby on Rails (RoR) as the primary server-side technology 
• Postgres database for persistent data storage 
• REDIS for messaging middleware of location tracking data 
• Front-end technologies like Angular.js, Node.js, etc. 
• HTML5 with responsive UI 
• Cloud server hosting (e.g., Amazon EC2) 
• Android mobile app development technology stack