How we helped Techem create new revenue streams and acquire 100,000+ users by designing and building the Tenant App.
Transforming a Utility Company into a Digital Leader
- Complete digital transformation - strategy, UX/UI design & software development
- Reimagined the product architecture
- Implemented designs in a React web app & React native iOS and Android app
- Helped acquire 100,000+ users post launch
BACKGROUND
Why this project was launched
With a focus on energy efficiency across the value chain, Techem is one of the leading service partners for green and smart buildings. Traditionally, the utility industry supports its customers by calculating and delivering allocation statements based on manual readings.
With increasing customer demands, as well as impending regulations, Techem wanted to transform their process from a manual, analogue approach to a digital one, empowering tenants with up-to-date information accessible anytime on mobile and web
CHALLENGES
The key challenges we faced on this project
Techem had built an existing app to begin their digital transformation, but it did not meet their target market requirements - neither in usability, user experience, or technology. The app also only existed in Danish, which wouldn’t work for the Norwegian market where they also operated.
There were also new technology requirements, legal requirements and higher expectations in the market for a digital solution, making the challenge both timely and complex.
The main challenges we solved included:
Transforming to a Digital-First Company
Traditionally, the utility industry relied on manual meter readings to compile data and reports. Techem’s requirements went beyond a simple app - they needed a complete overhaul of their product strategy and support across user research, experience design, coding and implementation to digitize their business processes.
Meeting Regulatory Requirements
Techem were facing time-sensitive demands by regulators to offer consumers more frequent insights into their energy consumption and C02 footprint. The issue was made more complex by differing regulations in the Danish and Norwegian markets, meaning they required a single application, but with multiple new features to meet regulatory requirements unique to each location.
Branding & White Label Requirement
Techem needed the application to reflect their brand look and feel, an aspect that was not optimal in their existing application. A new revenue stream was also created by offering the solution as a white label service for Palle Morch, a property management firm.
How Stoked Solved the Challenge
Techem required a complete overhaul of their existing Tenant App, from a redesign of the user experience, to building new features. The collaboration required a full-service offering of strategy, architecture, UX/UI design, and software development for implementation.
SOLUTION
Phase 1 - User Research and Information Hierarchy
First, we broke down the existing functionality of the information hierarchy. We worked with Techem’s customers and users to get insights into the new requirements. We also dived into the legislation, both in Denmark and Norway, condensing a wealth of complex information into a complete feature set for one application. Our goal was to deliver increased flexibility to adapt to different requirements of both the Danish and Norwegian markets.
SOLUTION
Phase 2 - Designing the Experience and Feature Set
We redesigned the new feature set from the ground up to improve the user experience so it was a better fit with the Techem brand. We also ensured more flexible support for diverse requirements in the market, taking some of the features that were required for the Norwegian market, and adapting them to bring value in the Danish market. The result was an intuitive, modern user experience expected by the market that met the needs of the regulators.
Solution
Phase 3 - Software Development & Implementation
Once the strategy, information hierarchy and designs were complete, our technical team got to work implementing the solution in a React web app and a React native iOS and Android app.
To reduce code maintenance, we designed a shared code base for the business logic between the two platforms, improving consistency and maintainability. Finally, we designed an ongoing user feedback and refinement process to ensure new features can be added, refined and deployed.
OUTCOMES
The tangible outcomes and transformation this project achieved
The Tenant App was successfully deployed by Techem Denmark, Techem Norway, and also as a whitelabel solution for Palle Morch, creating an entirely new revenue stream.
The user base has grown from a few thousand users to 100,000+, ensuring they have all the information they need to track their utility usage and CO2 footprint, a game changer that was not possible before.
Our collaboration has helped transform Techem from a provider of allocation statements to a digital leader in their industry, with a contemporary application that meets the high expectations of the market with unrivaled usability. They've been able to add new revenue streams to their existing business model, with new digital services being requested by customers, positioning Techem as a modern, forward-thinking provider taking the industry forward.
With new digital services on the roadmap, and a new platform from which they can continue to innovate and position themselves in the market, we look forward to helping Techem in their digital journey in the years to come.
The collaboration with Stoked has been both profitable and consistent in its quality.
They have been a valued partner for multiple years and we look forward to a long collaboration.
Carsten Hejgaard, CEO, Techem Denmark