Client Overview
The client is a leading retail group, managing over 300 stores across four distinct chains. With a commitment to modernizing their operations, they planned to switch from their current Xamarin-based systems to the stronger and more flexible .NET MAUI framework. This strategic move was aimed to tackle ongoing issues in inventory management, improve customer interaction, and strengthen store security measures.
Business Challenge
Previously reliant on Xamarin technology, the client faced limitations in inventory management efficiency, customer interaction, and security protocols at store exits. The need for an upgraded system that could seamlessly integrate with advanced scanning and payment technologies was evident to maintain their competitive edge in the retail sector.
Solution Highlights
Gateway Digital led the client’s move to .NET MAUI, making sure the change was smooth and resulted in major improvements in inventory management and the shopping experience. The project began with a thorough review of the current Xamarin setup, followed by the development of a detailed transition plan to MAUI. The implementation phase included the following key features:
Development of an application that integrates RFID, Barcode, and Camera Scanners for quick item scanning, article management, order processing, and payment integrations (Vipps/Klarna/Verifone/Softpay).
Use of RFID technology for efficient stock-taking, product search, sales tracking, customer engagement, and store security.
Implementation of an advanced ID scanner to manage millions of RFID tags, focusing on customer-oriented features.
Utilization of Azure Services for storage and hosting:
- Azure Web Apps for API & Admin Portal Hosting
- Azure SQL as the database
- Azure BLOB Storage for image archiving
- Azure Cognitive Search Service for an accelerated search experience
Improvement of the customer experience with Self-Checkout and Customer Screen features.
Adoption of MAUI for app development, which includes:
- • Shell navigation, localization, and location-based country selection
- MVVM architecture with CommunityToolkit.Mvvm and platform-specific custom controls
- Dynamic themes and Syncfusion controls integration
- HttpClient for API interactions and SQLite for extensive data storage
- Dependency injection and IoC with the MAUI builder
- Error logging with Sentry and CommunityToolkit.MAUI
- Camera image capture via MediaPicker
- Resource dictionary for automated image conversion
Distinctive MAUI implementation features:
- A unified platform folder for Android and iOS projects
- Global namespace adoption through a single file
- Pages registered as singletons within the MAUI builder
Technology Stack
The technology stack employed for this transformative project included Azure Web services (hosting, Azure SQL, Azure blob, Azure Search, etc.), Web API, Xamarin, C#, MS SQL, Vue.Js, Web Socket, MQTT, and .NET MAUI.
Benefits
The migration to .NET MAUI revolutionized the client’s retail inventory management by:
- Streamlining end-to-end inventory processes
- Enhancing the customer interface and interaction
- Strengthening store exit security
- Providing a unified development experience across Android and iOS platforms
- Offering a scalable, maintainable, and future-proof retail management
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