Case Study

Business Challenge

Our customer needed a software solution that would automate a salon's workflow from making an appointment to checking out. The client requested the development of two operation modes and an easy-to-extend reporting system.

  • ● Microsoft .NET Framework
  • ● Microsoft Visual Basic 2005
  • ● Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • ● Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
  • ● Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
  • ● DevExpress DXperience

Software Solution

Axmor's .NET programmers developed a software product that automates daily operations of hairdressing salons. To streamline appointment-tracking functions, the user can conveniently select any of the calendar views provided by the application: daily, weekly, monthly, or as a scheduler. The easy-to-use custom backup/restore utility ensures data safety. Axmor's .NET programmers helped our customer target the application at small and midsize salons by the development of specific capabilities for each of the two operation modes.

Strengths of the developed software:

  • ● Customizable User Interface

    One of our customer's critical requirements was an intuitive user interface that would accelerate adaptation and facilitate training. After evaluating several options, we developed an interface that resembles Outlook's calendar view including similar customization options. To achieve the desired result at minimum cost, Axmor's .NET programmers used DevExpress components library.

  • ● Flexible Planning

    The software is developed to flexibly serve diverse needs of various salons. A salon administrator can set up business related details, such as opening hours or a hairdresser's master score, which the schedule engine uses to avoid time and resource conflicts. At the same time, it is possible to skip the settings' restrictions; for example, reducing a recommended time slot or substituting an ill hairdresser.

  • ● POS Module

    The software is integrated with POS devices, allowing the user to print a receipt on the till printer and open a cash drawer directly from the Appointment Scheduler software. Unavailability of a .NET development kit for the selected POS devices was development challenge, but our .NET programmers resolved the problem with the manufacturers. To avoid the extra costs of purchasing and shipping the devices, Axmor developed special scripts for remote testing that our custom can easily run to generate test reports.

  • ● Reporting System

    The developed software provides precise reports on day-to-day operations, enhanced with analytical summaries. These reports are visualized using Excel templates that have a habitual look and feel for salon administration. Our customer wanted to be able to add new reports at minimum cost. Axmor's .NET programmers addressed this need by the development of a report engine, which has standard rules for converting data from the application database to the Excel format. As a result, changing report style and data representation requires changes in the Excel template only. Implementation of a new report requires development of business logic and a new template, and the report engine automatically converts data into the Excel format.

Appointment Scheduler

Client

A UK-based software development company providing solutions for small and medium sized businesses

Challenge

A .NET software product for appointment scheduling and tracking in hairdressing salons.

Benefit

Axmor's .NET programmers developed a software product that addressed our customer's needs:

  • ● Convenient service for varying needs of multiple hairdressing salons;
  • ● Outlook-like interface reduces the learning curve;
  • ● Backup utility ensures data safety;
  • ● The development of new reports requires minimum expense.