Written by Shopping Nanny is an example of complex mixed back-end services, with some extreme jQuery user interface features. HumanXtensions joined up with a team of experienced Oracle database developers to create all of the administrative and user-facing web experience.
“Shopping Nanny is a service designed to ensure that you get the best price possible on the items you want at the stores you prefer. Your Shopping Nanny does all the work behind the scenes searching for coupons and discounts, finding the best sales and checking for store specials so that you don’t have to.”
The Shopping Nanny system was built using a core Oracle database, surrounded by a series of data acquisition modules that harvest grocery store and coupon data from a wide range of sources. HumanXtensions began development with the extensive administration interface, allowing the Shopping Nanny team to manage the vast inventory of items, and also to create and administer the Shopping Nanny users. The administrative functions also included a dashboard allowing management to see key trends in the use of the platform.
The HumanXtensions team then moved on to the integration of the Shopping Nanny graphic design assets, and creation of the home page, registration process, and all user portal pages. The user registration included a multi-step process which allowed Shopping Nanny to capture e-mail contact information, create a “try it for free” access, and then also manage multiple levels of subscriptions, prices, and promo codes. HumanXtensions also implemented an affiliate tracking and discount system within the platform that utilized custom URLs that were used by the Shopping Nanny sales force to provide revenue sharing, and special customer discounts. All of this tied into a standard payment gateway system with recurring billing.
The core functionality of the Shopping Nanny user portal pages required some of the most extreme jQuery and Ajax development. The user profile system was designed to have a wide range of profile data. The various profile pages each tracked a “percentage completed” and all of that rolled up to provide the user with a total profile completion percentage. All of this was built on a series of complex database tables, allowing for extensive reporting and analytics. This foundation was in place for many future uses.
In addition to the profile, the user portal contains the ability for users to dynamically create multiple named “shopping lists” with auto-complete of the grocery item names, and rapid keyboard optimizations allowing customers to easily create their shopping lists. While these lists are being created, background searches are spawned to look for specials and coupons at the customer preferred stores. Users also have the ability to save and recall shopping lists for re-use, and the Shopping Nanny team can even create “recipe” shopping lists for special occasions or holidays. All of these lists are easily accessible to the users.
During this 6+ month project the HumanXtensions team collaborated constantly with the core Oracle database team, the testing resources, and Shopping Nanny management to create a solid, feature rich solution.
“The HumanXtensions team has made significant contributions to the Shopping Nanny project, and have been instrumental in helping us take the first steps toward making the promise of Shopping Nanny a reality.” – Benoy Tamang, CEO, Shopping Nanny LLC
