ABOUT PROJECT
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a revolutionary change in employment, and now the traditional office has been transformed into a remote working place. This modification resulted in the rise of the use of coworking spaces and small offices for people who need a good environment for working from home. Recognizing this evolving trend, HotPatch decided to create a revolutionary marketplace designed to connect workspace providers with remote workers. By harnessing technology to address the burgeoning demand for flexible workspace solutions, Roobykon Software has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering individuals and businesses alike.
During the pandemic, society had to adapt to the remote work models, and various issues started to occur with home tasks, e.g., distraction and lack of a dedicated workplace favorable for work. Meanwhile, some enterprises with spare office spaces were having their spaces underused as remote workplaces were in place. HotPatch became a perfect workspace solution to bridge this gap by facilitating the efficient utilization of available resources.
Key Challenges
Building the HotPatch marketplace presented numerous challenges for the Roobykon team, as we embarked on a mission to create a peer-to-peer platform that revolutionizes the way small businesses rent and lease spaces. Our journey began with the task of finding the right development partner after the initial setback with a previous company. This involved extensive searches and thorough vetting to ensure we partnered with a team capable of realizing our vision.
Upon taking over the project, our first hurdle was to analyze and debug the existing MVP. We dove deep into the codebase, meticulously examining client requirements and running comprehensive tests to identify and rectify any issues. Integrating complex functionality was another goal, demanding careful planning to maintain compatibility and scalability. Designing an intuitive user experience was paramount, involving extensive user research and iterative design processes.
Scalability and security were top priorities. We designed a robust architecture capable of handling large volumes of transactions while ensuring user data security. Balancing privacy with user experience posed an additional challenge, leading us to implement privacy features to protect user interests. This meticulous approach allowed us to successfully transform the idea of a leading platform for coworking space booking into reality.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Solution Highlights
In creating the HotPatch case study, we at Roobykon employed a comprehensive solution that leveraged various technologies to ensure its seamless functionality and user experience. Hotpatch delivers on-demand access to creative spaces and professional equipment, and Roobykon helped bring this vision to life using Sharetribe Flex. React served as the backbone of our front-end interface, facilitating smooth navigation and interactions, while Redux managed the application state for consistency. React Router enabled efficient routing, while Final Form enhanced form handling.
On the back end, Express.js provided a scalable infrastructure supported by Node.js for high-performance server-side execution. For hosting and deployment, we relied on Digital Ocean’s cloud platform for its reliability and scalability. Through the strategic integration of these technologies, we delivered HotPatch as a robust remote work marketplace.
The process
01
Planning and agile methodology adoption: From the outset, we embraced Agile development practices, allowing us to deliver features promptly and iterate based on feedback from early adopters. This iterative approach ensured continuous improvement and surpassed expectations at every level.
02
Automated testing framework implementation: We agreed to adhere to an automated testing framework to ensure code clarity and excellent quality, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the platform throughout development.
03
Project timeline and sprint estimation: With a two-month sprint timeframe established, we meticulously planned the project’s phases. The initial stage focused on improving existing features and implementing new functionalities, while the second phase centered on developing a powerful booking system for the marketplace.
04
Review and issue resolution: Roobykon developers began by reviewing the old codebase, identifying and addressing any issues present. Attention was also given to security vulnerabilities and performance bottlenecks to prioritize user privacy and experience.
05
Modernization with React and Redux: Leveraging modern frameworks like React and Redux, we rebuilt the platform’s codebase, replacing outdated libraries such as jQuery or AngularJS. This transition ensured enhanced performance, scalability, and maintainability of the HotPatch platform.
06
Backend development and coordination: With backend decisions finalized, the focus shifted to designing and implementing the new website. Collaborating closely with stakeholders and UX specialists, we ensured alignment with user needs and requirements gathered during research sessions.
07
Iterative design and development: Throughout the process, design and development activities were conducted iteratively, allowing for continuous refinement and optimization based on user feedback and evolving project requirements.
08
Stakeholder involvement and collaboration: Key stakeholders from both Roobykon and HotPatch actively participated in planning, decision-making, and review sessions, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to project success.
Main Features
Effortless booking
The system automatically offers the nearest start and end dates on the calendar to make date selection easier. It is possible to choose the rent duration in hours, days, weeks, or months.
Convenient filtering
We’ve implemented a system of categories and subcategories to facilitate results filtering. A category selection section was added to the home page. Users can choose the rent duration in hours, days, weeks, or months, providing flexibility for their needs on this peer-to-peer workspace platform.
Multiple categories
Initially, there was only one category to choose from. The HotPatch team wanted to ensure that each listing could be assigned to multiple options and that all of them would be displayed on its page. Our team enabled the ability for listings to be categorized in multiple ways.
HubSpot newsletter integration
We set up a newsletter subscription and integrated a HubSpot service. This would allow the company to send automated emails with the latest content and keep track of customers who unsubscribed or stopped reading messages.
Multiple booking types
We made it possible to choose from several booking options: for an hour, a day, a week, or a month. The listing can include all of them at once; when the client chooses a certain timeframe, the price is calculated accordingly.
Advanced discount system
We introduced a coupon system, which enabled customers to receive special deals on certain listings. This helps to increase the flow of customers during promotional periods. The approach allows for easy management of discount codes and provides a simple interface for both managers and clients.
Availability section
We added a custom availability section to accommodate hourly or daily bookings. Our team integrated two types of availability into one section to ensure that customers can easily find what they need without digging through multiple pages or searching for hours at a time.
WordPress blog
We integrated a WordPress-based blog and customized it to match the look and feel of the workspace rental platform. The blog is easy to update, which makes it perfect for posting news, updates, and other useful content.
RESULTS
The collaboration between Roobykon and HotPatch has yielded exceptional results, culminating in the successful development and launch of a cutting-edge marketplace that redefines the landscape of workspace rental and leasing. HotPatch, built to streamline the rental and leasing process, particularly targets small and mid-sized businesses, aiming to facilitate their growth. The platform enables users to effortlessly view available properties for rent in their vicinity, empowering them with a variety of options to choose from. With an intuitive interface, users can seamlessly navigate through the listings and select the most suitable workspace with ease. The streamlined process ensures secure transactions, allowing users to complete their bookings with just a few clicks.
Since its launch in June 2019, the HotPatch platform has gained significant traction, with over 200 businesses across the UK utilizing the service. By leveraging this marketplace, businesses can efficiently find suitable rental spaces in their desired locations while ensuring secure payments, thereby enhancing their operational efficiency and supporting their growth initiatives.
Lessons from Hotpatch
Throughout the development of HotPatch, our team at Roobykon encountered numerous challenges that ultimately strengthened us and contributed to our growth and improvement as a company. One of the most significant lessons we learned was the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks. Despite encountering initial hurdles, such as debugging the existing MVP and addressing security vulnerabilities, we persevered and emerged stronger than before. These challenges forced us to think creatively, collaborate effectively, and push the boundaries of our capabilities, ultimately enhancing our problem-solving skills and fortifying our resolve.
Furthermore, the implementation of an automated testing framework underscored the significance of quality assurance in software development. By prioritizing code clarity and excellence, we not only ensured the reliability and stability of the HotPatch office rental platform but also cultivated a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within our team.
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