The Goal
Pharmaceutical Directory as a Mobile App
One of the central platforms for medical professionals, the “Forum Medicine”, is currently provided by Weleda as a Website and catalog. However, the online version wasn't optimized at all for mobile usage - Thus creating the need to build a more user-friendly solution for the various target groups. The goal was to extend the functionalities of the medicinal product directory through a hybrid app for iOS and Android - Available from everywhere at any time.
The purpose? Enable medical personnel to recommend suitable medications for their patients even during home visits or other uncommon scenarios. A user-friendly navigation structure and an integrated search function will also aid in finding anthroposophic medicines more quickly.
Hybrid App with Maximum User Experience
To ensure ease of use and accessibility we integrated a DocCheck Login through an API, which not only ensured app security, but also allowed potential users to be able to log in more easily. Once logged in, the medicinal directory maintains all it's functions, even while being offline - including the "Search" feature.
We also focused on making the navigation as intuitive as possible. Interactive animations and responsively displayed search results are central pillars of the interface, aiming for maximum usability. All while being incorporated into the company’s digital identity.
On top of that, all features and design elements of the hybrid app were developed based on the specific needs of the previously analyzed and well defined target group. We didn't just optimize the medicinal product directory for mobile usage, but also gave Doctors, Nurses and Midwives an immediate sense of familiarity: The ability to filter the app’s content not only by products but also by medical conditions / symptoms.
App Development using Modern Web Technologies
Before we started developing, the provided data had to be restructured and integrated into a new database. To allow for a process that can easily be repeated when additional or adjusted data needs to be integrated, we went the custom route: Writing and developing a custom python script to migrate, validate and import the data. This way we could adapt the data structures – including active substances and medical conditions – to the requirements of the web application.
The use of modern web technologies, compatible with both iOS and Android mobile operating systems, was also essential for the final product. The frontend was built using the JavaScript framework Vue.js, while the backend relied on Symfony. To then finalize, prepare and deploy the apps we used Apache Cordova (PhoneGap).
Mobile App as a Future-Oriented Solution
Based on what we started with, we choose to develop a hybrid app. Unlike native applications, hybrid apps are built on a single codebase, while still leaving room for plenty of opportunities that iOS and Android share. This implementation method was further supported by lowering development efforts and improving performance - Especially compared to alternatives such as a PWA.
The Success
Availability from Everywhere
Initial skepticism regarding the benefits of a mobile pharmaceutical directory, was immediately replaced with great satisfaction right after releasing the app. The app simplifies every day life of midwives and doctors greatly, as confirmed by the high number of downloads.
All stakeholders of Weleda recognized the design of the app the target solution for future digital products. Making the mobile pharmaceutical directory an ideal addition to Weleda's corporate design.
Project Info
Weleda AG Germany is the world's leading manufacturer of holistic natural cosmetics and anthroposophic medicines. The latter are based on the interaction between man and nature and are designed to stimulate the self-healing powers of the organism so that it is able to overcome an illness on its own.
Target Group
The app is aimed specifically at medical staff such as midwives and doctors. Until now, they have had to bring the pharmaceutical directory as a printed catalog with them on home visits in order to recommend appropriate active ingredients to their patients. As the list of medicines on the website was not optimized for mobile use, the hybrid app for iOS and Android proved to be the ideal solution for Weleda AG's target groups, simplifying their day-to-day work.
Tech Facts
Hybrid app for iOS and Android, offline-capable
Frameworks: Apache Cordova Framework, Vue.JS
Backend: JSON API, interface to the DocCheck identification service
Database: creation, maintenance and integration of data with Python programming language
Glossary
Native app: App specially developed for an operating system of a specific target platform, e.g. iOS or Android.
Web app: Cross-platform app that usually runs in the browser.
Hybrid app: Mixture of native app and web app that is based on web technologies but looks like a native app and can be obtained via the app stores.
Progressive app: Website with characteristics of a native app.
Apache Cordova: Open source framework for mobile programming.