Central Garden & Pet
Create an end-to-end extensible messaging network that will allow new and existing products in the product lines to be app and voice controlled. The app not only controls multiple products, but also guides the consumer through aquarium ownership with tips/tricks, reminders/alerts, preset modes, etc.
Functional requirements included:
- Keep consumers in hobby longer = more revenue long-term = brand loyalty
- Notifications when light is on too long, filter replacement, feeding of fish, water change, etc.
- Provide coupons for consumables
- One-stop shop for education/collaboration with other consumers
- Have all aquarium products tied to one app for full control (no one in market has this)
- Easily scans for new devices
- Novice users presented with limited controls to avoid overly complicating user experience
- Advanced users can access additional settings and new product features
- Default settings encourage a positive user experience
- Aquarium setup helps guide the user to make good decisions in their aquarium setup
- Incompatible selections are highlighted to warn the user
Background
Fish enthusiasts often struggle to maintain consistent lighting, and temperature for their fish tanks. Inadequate lighting and temperature can adversely affect the health and well-being of the aquatic life in your tank. Traditional timers and manual light switches can be cumbersome and unreliable, leading to irregular light patterns that can stress fish and disrupt the growth of aquatic plants.
Problem
Many aquarium owners lack an easy, reliable way to control and automate their tank lighting, leading to inconsistent lighting and difficulty in creating an optimal environment for their fish friends and plants. Fish owners with busy lifestyles may not always be home to manually adjust their aquarium lighting, compounding the issue.
Need
A user-friendly solution allowing aquarium enthusiasts to remotely control and automate their smart aquarium equipment, ensuring consistent and customizable options which promote the health of their aquarium ecosystems.
Solution
A mobile application that connects to smart equipment (IOT), allowing users to set schedules, turn the lights on and off remotely, and adjust lighting and temperature settings to create optimal conditions for their fish and plants.
User flow for App
Design system
Aqueon app prototype
Aqueon Admin Backend Interface
A backend interface was required in order to create certificates for the equipment, and lighting modes, as well as maintain the databases for fish, equipment, and users
The prototype for the backend interface was created in Bootstrap and received high acclaim for the functionalty, responsiveness, and straight-forward ease of use.
Conclusion
As the network is expanded additional growth opportunities for customer engagement can be explored including data retention, data mining, utilizing the IOT network across other Central Garden & Pet business units, adding new ways to interact with customers, etc.