Zero app icon

Zero - Making Salon Bookings Smoother

Zero - Making Salon Bookings Smoother

Zero is not just another app for us at Appuchino; it marked our first dive into using React Native for development. This project for a chain of waxing salons, aimed at making booking visits more straightforward for customers. The main challenge was to create a booking system that worked well with Phorest, their new salon software provider, especially since their old system was shutting down by the end of December. We had to move quickly to design an app that continued the ease of queue management they were accustomed to.

Zero is not just another app for us at Appuchino; it marked our first dive into using React Native for development. This project for a chain of waxing salons, aimed at making booking visits more straightforward for customers. The main challenge was to create a booking system that worked well with Phorest, their new salon software provider, especially since their old system was shutting down by the end of December. We had to move quickly to design an app that continued the ease of queue management they were accustomed to.

Challenge

Our task was to introduce a queue system that mirrored the effectiveness of the salons' previous setup within a tight deadline, using React Native for the first time.

Solution

Appuchino created a middleware that seamlessly integrates with Phorest, providing real-time updates and adjustments to booking schedules.

Outcome

Within the first two months of its launch, Zero was downloaded over 2,000 times, showing a strong start for the new system.

Challenge

Our task was to introduce a queue system that mirrored the effectiveness of the salons' previous setup within a tight deadline, using React Native for the first time.

Solution

Appuchino created a middleware that seamlessly integrates with Phorest, providing real-time updates and adjustments to booking schedules.

Outcome

Within the first two months of its launch, Zero was downloaded over 2,000 times, showing a strong start for the new system.

Challenge

Our task was to introduce a queue system that mirrored the effectiveness of the salons' previous setup within a tight deadline, using React Native for the first time.

Solution

Appuchino created a middleware that seamlessly integrates with Phorest, providing real-time updates and adjustments to booking schedules.

Outcome

Within the first two months of its launch, Zero was downloaded over 2,000 times, showing a strong start for the new system.

Screenshot of Zero booking app on the left and Phorest salon management dashboard on the right
Screenshot of Zero booking app on the left and Phorest salon management dashboard on the right
Screenshot of Zero booking app on the left and Phorest salon management dashboard on the right

Challenge

Integrating Live Queue System with Existing Salon Software

Zero needed a booking system that allowed for an online queue, showing real-time waiting times based on the availability and schedule of the salon staff. The twist was integrating this system with Phorest, their new software provider, all while under the pressure of an impending deadline. We had to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting the salon's operations or the customer experience. This scenario tested our adaptability and pushed us to explore the full potential of React Native as a cross-platform solution.

Zero app Main screen screenshot on Android phone

Challenge

Integrating Live Queue System with Existing Salon Software

Zero needed a booking system that allowed for an online queue, showing real-time waiting times based on the availability and schedule of the salon staff. The twist was integrating this system with Phorest, their new software provider, all while under the pressure of an impending deadline. We had to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting the salon's operations or the customer experience. This scenario tested our adaptability and pushed us to explore the full potential of React Native as a cross-platform solution.

Zero app Main screen screenshot on Android phone

Challenge

Integrating Live Queue System with Existing Salon Software

Zero needed a booking system that allowed for an online queue, showing real-time waiting times based on the availability and schedule of the salon staff. The twist was integrating this system with Phorest, their new software provider, all while under the pressure of an impending deadline. We had to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting the salon's operations or the customer experience. This scenario tested our adaptability and pushed us to explore the full potential of React Native as a cross-platform solution.

Zero app Main screen screenshot on Android phone

Solution

React Native app and Custom Backend

Seamlessly Connecting Systems
We rolled up our sleeves and built middleware that would talk to Phorest's API, constantly updating the queue based on real-time data. This solution had to account for the unpredictable nature of salon appointments—adjusting for when treatments finished early or ran late and managing staff schedules without overlapping into breaks or after hours.
React Native allowed us to create a fluid experience across iOS and Android, maintaining consistent performance and user interface.

User Experience at the Forefront
In designing Zero, we stuck to user-centred principles to keep things straightforward. We chose one-time codes for login, cutting down the hassle for users to remember passwords or use social logins. Our focus was on making Zero not just functional but easy for anyone to pick up and use, ensuring it fit seamlessly into the salon chain's brand and could be adapted for future clients.

Solution

React Native app and Custom Backend

Seamlessly Connecting Systems
We rolled up our sleeves and built middleware that would talk to Phorest's API, constantly updating the queue based on real-time data. This solution had to account for the unpredictable nature of salon appointments—adjusting for when treatments finished early or ran late and managing staff schedules without overlapping into breaks or after hours.
React Native allowed us to create a fluid experience across iOS and Android, maintaining consistent performance and user interface.

User Experience at the Forefront
In designing Zero, we stuck to user-centred principles to keep things straightforward. We chose one-time codes for login, cutting down the hassle for users to remember passwords or use social logins. Our focus was on making Zero not just functional but easy for anyone to pick up and use, ensuring it fit seamlessly into the salon chain's brand and could be adapted for future clients.

Solution

React Native app and Custom Backend

Seamlessly Connecting Systems
We rolled up our sleeves and built middleware that would talk to Phorest's API, constantly updating the queue based on real-time data. This solution had to account for the unpredictable nature of salon appointments—adjusting for when treatments finished early or ran late and managing staff schedules without overlapping into breaks or after hours.
React Native allowed us to create a fluid experience across iOS and Android, maintaining consistent performance and user interface.

User Experience at the Forefront
In designing Zero, we stuck to user-centred principles to keep things straightforward. We chose one-time codes for login, cutting down the hassle for users to remember passwords or use social logins. Our focus was on making Zero not just functional but easy for anyone to pick up and use, ensuring it fit seamlessly into the salon chain's brand and could be adapted for future clients.

Zero app Services List with selected services screenshot on iPhone
Zero app Services List screen screenshot on iPhone
Zero app Services List with selected services screenshot on iPhone
Zero app Services List screen screenshot on iPhone

Outcome

A Smooth Launch and Promising Start

The introduction of Zero to the salon's customers has been positively received if the download figures are anything to go by. The app's success in its initial months is a testament to meeting the urgent need for a functional and user-friendly booking system. While direct feedback is still gathering, the download count speaks volumes about the initial acceptance and utility of Zero.

Outcome

A Smooth Launch and Promising Start

The introduction of Zero to the salon's customers has been positively received if the download figures are anything to go by. The app's success in its initial months is a testament to meeting the urgent need for a functional and user-friendly booking system. While direct feedback is still gathering, the download count speaks volumes about the initial acceptance and utility of Zero.

Outcome

A Smooth Launch and Promising Start

The introduction of Zero to the salon's customers has been positively received if the download figures are anything to go by. The app's success in its initial months is a testament to meeting the urgent need for a functional and user-friendly booking system. While direct feedback is still gathering, the download count speaks volumes about the initial acceptance and utility of Zero.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the Zero project, our first adventure with React Native, taught us a lot, especially about working under pressure. We didn't just build an app; we delivered a solution that makes salon bookings a breeze, and we did it all on a tight deadline. This journey showed us the real-world ups and downs of cross-platform development. No fancy jargon or over-the-top claims here—just solid work, real learning, and an effective app that people are actually using. Need to get your idea off the ground quickly without cutting corners? Get in touch with us. Let's get to work and make your project a success, too.

Zero app Booking Confirmation screen screenshot on iPhone

Summary

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the Zero project, our first adventure with React Native, taught us a lot, especially about working under pressure. We didn't just build an app; we delivered a solution that makes salon bookings a breeze, and we did it all on a tight deadline. This journey showed us the real-world ups and downs of cross-platform development. No fancy jargon or over-the-top claims here—just solid work, real learning, and an effective app that people are actually using. Need to get your idea off the ground quickly without cutting corners? Get in touch with us. Let's get to work and make your project a success, too.

Zero app Booking Confirmation screen screenshot on iPhone

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the Zero project, our first adventure with React Native, taught us a lot, especially about working under pressure. We didn't just build an app; we delivered a solution that makes salon bookings a breeze, and we did it all on a tight deadline. This journey showed us the real-world ups and downs of cross-platform development. No fancy jargon or over-the-top claims here—just solid work, real learning, and an effective app that people are actually using. Need to get your idea off the ground quickly without cutting corners? Get in touch with us. Let's get to work and make your project a success, too.

Zero app Booking Confirmation screen screenshot on iPhone