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Hello everyone!
My name is Alexei and I am a mobile developer at Akveo. Recently our company has released the new version of our UI framework - React Native UI Kitten and also a demo application based on this framework – Kitten Tricks. Both are free and open-source and have already gained over 3000 stars total on GitHub. It’s a big thing for me because the project has been my initial step in the world of open-source. That’s why I decided to tell the community more about myself and my journey in software engineering. I hope somebody will find it useful for their careers or will just have fun reading it. So let’s get started.
My career started 7 years ago. If someone told me back in the day that I would find myself working with cross-platform solutions for mobile devices, I would have not believed it. Well, funny things happen in life :)
My professional way started from ASP.NET WebForms. It was not an easy time, ‘cause in order to write JavaScript I had to call ugly constructions and make AJAX calls with magical component UpdatePanel in WebForms or using $.ajax. Back in the day Google was just about to release Ice Cream Sandwich. That’s when I got into serious development. I kept on adding MSDN and StackOverflow bookmarks to the browser and fighting with IE6 and float: left at the same time. Probably because of the last one I still don’t like CSS.
I can also say that the experience with WebForms probably made me feel very sceptic about JavaScript in general and its place in mobile world in particular.
After 4 years of web, I finally figured out that I want to try out something new. My managers suggested me several options, but for some reason I decided to switch to desktop development. At that time WPF seemed like a promising technology to me and I decided to give it a try. Also, at that period of time I really got into architecture and design. So the project of mine consisted of a huge pack of view models, abstract factories and other fancy abstractions. Obviously, it was over-engineering for a relatively small codebase we had :)
When my colleague joined the team, she was like:
After WPF I had two paths: to move back to web or try “something completely new, very promising and interesting” as my manager said. Well, he was right – Xamarin was fun. So I switched to it undoubtedly. Xamarin.Forms were poor and unstable but it had XAML, data binding and MVVM like in WPF. These things helped me to jump into this technology very quickly.
Since the time I started working with Xamarin, a lot had happened. The Organization was acquired by Microsoft and the technology became free and open-source. Some useful and cool features were introduced as well, like Profiler, Inspector etc. Frankly speaking, I had everything mobile engineer might need to create amazing apps. In fact, good technologies is what we need to feel truly happy. Anyway my soul wanted to try out something fresh, more than a new technology - kind of a new career way.
Since I joined Akveo, I am responsible for mobile development in the company and for several open source projects. When I started working here I was absolutely sure that I would develop mostly in Xamarin. Yet, guys suggested me to try React Native. I’d heard about it before but never tried for real. Moreover, I was scared by JavaScript. My knowledge about js remained at the level of getElementById and $.hide(). All cool stuff like ES, modules, promises etc were completely new (some of them are still a bit mysterious) to me.
Nearly 4 months ago we decided to improve React Native UI Kitten that had already existed and make a good demo for it. By that time I came to the conclusion that React Native is really great for UI and (I can’t believe that!) you don’t need to rebuild application each time you change something. This great feature saves tons of time! Of course, not everything in learning curve went smoothly. I was “surprised” by flexbox, disappointed by out of the box navigators, and unsatisfied with frequent breaking changes. I believe that’s why React Native has 0 as a major version. Also an outstanding point was, you know, node_modules.
When a couple of days were left before the release, I turned on “berserk” mode – I had a lot of job to do and no time at all. In addition, I had such a bad sleep, I was super nervous. Thankfully, colleagues helped me a lot. So big thanks to them!
Right now, when both projects (React Native UI Kitten and Kitten Tricks) have been released I feel satisfied with the work done. They are my first big open-source projects, and I can't describe how does it feel when your work gets appreciated by so many people. I'm really grateful to everyone supporting us. I am willing to improve these projects and probably create something new in nearest future.
Anyway, thanks for reading this and supporting me all the way. May The Force be with you!
Retool Dashboards with HubSpot Integration
Our client needed a centralized tool to aggregate account and contact activity, improving visibility and decision-making for the sales team.
The solution
We built a Retool application integrated with HubSpot, QuickMail, and Clay.com. The app features dashboards for sorting, filtering, and detailed views of companies, contacts, and deals, along with real-time notifications and bidirectional data syncing.
The result
- MVP in 50 hours: Delivered a functional application in just 50 hours.
- Smarter decisions: Enabled data-driven insights for strategic planning.
- Streamlined operations: Reduced manual tasks with automation and real-time updates.
Lead Generation Tool to Reduce Manual Work
Our client, Afore Capital, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed investments, aimed to automate their lead generation processes but struggled with existing out-of-the-box solutions. To tackle this challenge, they sought assistance from our team of Akveo Retool experts.
The scope of work
The client needed a tailored solution to log and track inbound deals effectively. They required an application that could facilitate the addition, viewing, and editing of company and founder information, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicates. Additionally, Afore Capital aimed to integrate external tools like PhantomBuster and LinkedIn to streamline data collection.
The result
By developing a custom Retool application, we streamlined the lead generation process, significantly reducing manual data entry. The application enabled employees to manage inbound deals efficiently while automated workflows for email parsing, notifications, and dynamic reporting enhanced operational efficiency. This allowed Afore Capital's team to focus more on building relationships with potential founders rather than on administrative tasks.
Learn more about the case
Retool CMS Application for EdTech Startup
Our client, CutTime, a leading fine arts education management platform, needed a scalable CMS application to improve vendor product management and user experience.
The scope of work
We developed a Retool application that allows vendors to easily upload and manage product listings, handle inventory, and set shipping options. The challenge was to integrate the app with the client’s system, enabling smooth authentication and product management for program directors.
The result
Our solution streamlined product management, reducing manual work for vendors, and significantly improving operational efficiency.
Building Reconciliation Tool for e-commerce company
Our client was in need of streamlining and simplifying its monthly accounting reconciliation process – preferably automatically. But with a lack of time and low budget for a custom build, development of a comprehensive software wasn’t in the picture. After going through the case and customer’s needs, we decided to implement Retool. And that was the right choice.
The scope of work
Our team developed a custom reconciliation tool designed specifically for the needs of high-volume transaction environments. It automated the processes and provided a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring discrepancies and anomalies in real-time.
The implementation of Retool significantly reduced manual effort, as well as fostered a more efficient and time-saving reconciliation process.
Creating Retool Mobile App for a Wine Seller
A leading spirits and wine seller in Europe required the development of an internal mobile app for private client managers and administrators. The project was supposed to be done in 1,5 months. Considering urgency and the scope of work, our developers decided to use Retool for swift and effective development.
The scope of work
Our developers built a mobile application tailored to the needs of the company's sales force: with a comprehensive overview of client interactions, facilitated order processing, and enabled access to sales history and performance metrics. It was user-friendly, with real-time updates, seamlessly integrated with existing customer databases.
The result? Increase in productivity of the sales team and improved decision-making process. But most importantly, positive feedback from the customers themselves.
Developing PoC with Low Code for a Tour Operator
To efficiently gather, centralize, and manage data is a challenge for any tour operator. Our client was not an exception. The company was seeking to get an internal software that will source information from third-party APIs and automate the travel itinerary creation process. Preferably, cost- and user-friendly tool.
The scope of work
Our experts ensured the client that all the requirements could be covered by Retool. And just in 40 hours a new software was launched. The tool had a flexible and easy-to-use interface with user authentication and an access management system panel – all the company needed. At the end, Retool was considered the main tool to replace the existing system.
Testing New Generation of Lead Management Tool with Retool
Our client, a venture fund, had challenges with managing lead generation and client acquisition. As the company grew, it aimed to attract more clients and scale faster, as well as automate the processes to save time, improve efficiency and minimize human error. The idea was to craft an internal lead generation tool that will cover all the needs. We’ve agreed that Retool will be a perfect tool for this.
The scope of work
The project initially began as a proof of concept, but soon enough, with each new feature delivered, the company experienced increased engagement and value.
We developed a web tool that integrates seamlessly with Phantombuster for data extraction and LinkedIn for social outreach. Now, the company has a platform that elevates the efficiency of their lead generation activities and provides deep insights into potential client bases.
Building an Advanced Admin Portal for Streamlined Operations
Confronted with the need for more sophisticated internal tools, an owner of IP Licensing marketplace turned to Retool to utilize its administrative functions. The primary goal was to construct an advanced admin portal that could support complex, multi-layered processes efficiently.
The scope of work
Our client needed help with updating filters and tables for its internal platform. In just 30 hours we've been able to update and create about 6 pages. Following features were introduced: add complex filtering and search, delete records, styling application with custom CSS.
Together, we have increased performance on most heavy pages and fixed circular dependency issues.
Creating MVP Dashboard for Google Cloud Users
Facing the challenge of unoptimized cloud resource management, a technology firm working with Google Cloud users was looking for a solution to make its operations more efficient. The main idea of the project was to create an MVP for e-commerce shops to test some client hypotheses. Traditional cloud management tools fell short.
The scope of work
Determined to break through limitations, our team of developers turned Retool. We decided to craft an MVP Dashboard specifically for Google Cloud users. This wasn't just about bringing data into view; but about reshaping how teams interact with their cloud environment.
We designed a dashboard that turned complex cloud data into a clear, strategic asset thanks to comprehensive analytics, tailored metrics, and an intuitive interface, that Retool provides. As the results, an increase in operational efficiency, significant improvement in cost management and resource optimization.
Elevating CRM with Custom HubSpot Sales Dashboard
Our other client, a SaaS startup, that offers collaborative tools for design and engineering teams, was on a quest to supercharge their sales efforts. Traditional CRM systems were limited and not customizable enough. The company sought a solution that could tailor HubSpot to their workflow and analytics needs.
The scope of work
Charged with the task of going beyond standard CRM functions, our team turned to Retool. We wanted to redefine how sales teams interact with their CRM.
By integrating advanced analytics, custom metrics, and a user-friendly interface, our developers provided a solution that transformed data into a strategic asset.
In 40 hours, three informative dashboards were developed, containing the most sensitive data related to sales activities. These dashboards enable our customer to analyze sales and lead generation performance from a different perspective and establish the appropriate KPIs.
Building a PDF Editor with Low-Code
Our client, a leading digital credential IT startup, needed a lot of internal processes to be optimized. But the experience with low-code tools wasn’t sufficient. That’s why the company decided to hire professionals. And our team of developers joined the project.
The scope of work
The client has a program that designs and prints custom badges for customers. The badges need to be “mail-merged” with a person’s info and turned into a PDF to print. But what is the best way to do it?
Our developers decided to use Retool as a core tool. Using custom components and JavaScript, we developed a program that reduced employees' time for designing, putting the data, verifying, and printing PDF badges in one application.
As a result, the new approach significantly reduces the time required by the internal team to organize all the necessary staff for the conference, including badge creation.
