About
This case study delves into the development and integration of a video call module for BIP, the messaging app owned by Turkcell, Turkey's leading telecommunication company.
BIP boasts a user base of over 100 million individuals, positioning itself as one of the globally preferred messaging platforms. The necessity for a video call feature arose during the pandemic, as remote work became the norm. Sincapp Mobi, the chosen vendor, secured the project based on:
- Efficiency - we offered the most efficient solution to their task. With time constraints in mind, our development team committed to delivering the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within an ambitious two-month period.
- Value for money - although our offer was one of the highest, by delivering the project in a constrained time period we ultimately saved money for our customer.
- Convincing expertise of our engineers - our development team went through multiple meetings with the CTO of Turkcell. It was only after being thoroughly convinced that we would deliver beyond their initial expectations that the partnership was solidified.
Provided Services
1
Development
Cross-Platform - React Native
2
Quality Assurance
Unit Test & End-to-end Test
3
Deployment
Google Play and App Store Publishing
Challenges and Execution
The main challenges that had to be overcome were:
- The primary challenge was the urgency of the task. The customer insisted that the video module had to go live within 8-10 weeks. So, the development team decided to leverage open-source communication applications like Jitsi and Web RTC via React Native, ensuring a quick assembly of the project within 4-5 weeks, and delivery of MVP by the end of the second month.
- Native and React Native code compatibility issues. As the integration with the main app began, aligning React Native and Native codes presented compatibility issues. Overcoming these challenges demanded an agile and adept team that could swiftly address the intricacies of code integration. The collaboration between the Sincapp Mobi team and Turkcell's CTO was crucial in navigating and preemptively resolving these challenges. Despite the complexities, the team managed to deliver the MVP by the end of the second month, adhering to the stringent timeline.
- Designing a video chat supporting up to 15 people. Normally, messaging apps support 8 people at most, but BIP wanted to make a difference. Together with the design team, the most optimal interface was drawn up and performance issues were overcome by optimising streaming services.
Result
The outcome of the project is a seamlessly integrated mobile app featuring voice and video group calls, supporting up to 15 participants. Users on the BIP platform now have access to uninterrupted HD-quality audio and video calls, enhancing personal connections and facilitating important business meetings.
The standout features are:
- Users can start audio and video calls directly from chat or group chat windows, as well as from the dedicated Calls section within their accounts.
- Join ongoing group conversations by simply clicking on the Join button that stays active, further enhancing the user experience.
In summary, the successful collaboration between Turkcell and Sincapp Mobi resulted in the timely delivery of a robust video call module, seamlessly integrated into the BIP messaging app. The project not only met but exceeded initial expectations, providing users with a reliable and feature-rich communication tool in the form of BIP's enhanced video call capabilities.
