Development of an online shop for Moscow Jewellery Factory

Development of an online shop for Moscow Jewellery Factory

May 21, 2021

Moscow Jewellery Factory is a manufacturer with a history dating back more than a century. It is one of the oldest jewellery factories in Russia and one of the largest Russian manufactures of diamond jewellery. The official website and network of retail outlets offer a wide selection of jewellery made from gold and platinum, including pieces produced by MJF and products created by MJF's Russian and international partners.

What's special about MJF?

  • In-house production of jewellery with precious and decorative stones, meeting ISO 9001:2008 certification standards.
  • Sale of certified diamonds starting at 0.70 carats at market value with a buyback option.
  • Proprietary collections.
  • 100% genuine pieces with all the hallmarks of authentic jewellery.
  • As well as buying ready-made jewellery and certified diamonds in the chain's retail outlet, you can also order a custom-made piece according to your own specifications.

EDISON's partnership with MJF began in 2014. The agreement between the companies outlined the creation and redevelopment of a number of applications and websites. Though the tasks we solved were of a pragmatic nature, we still had the chance to feel like we were part of the enticing world of jewellery production.

Website audit

Error correction, optimisation and preparation for high loads

The audit included the following stages:

  • SEO audit;
  • Source code and database analysis;
  • Security audit;
  • Functionality testing;
  • Load testing;
  • Cross-browser layout testing.

As the result of the audit, a detailed report was created covering the work carried out, the errors found and the reasons for the website's low speeds. An optimal tariff plan on the hosting service was chosen. While carrying out security tests, several malicious JS-scripts embedded on the site were found and deleted. Recommendations on improving security were set out.

iVideon

SDK for managing video surveillance

iVideon is a cloud service for video surveillance which makes it possible to organise a wide range of different devices and systems into a single hub and access all cameras from any device, be it a computer, smartphone, tablet or the specialised Videowall system.

The following functionality was implemented:

  • Managing cameras' access rights to enable rights delegation;
  • Downloading archival video in MP4 format with subsequent automatic upload to Google Drive.

The code is designed as a class library for future use as a part of an SSIS package on the SQL Server.

Testing

Bug detection in the new version of the website on Python and Django

After the previous audit, the MJF website was completely rewritten. We tested the new version of the site and compiled a report containing a description of the errors detected and an assessment of the readiness of the new version for implementation.

Data analysis

Application for accounting customer and staff behaviour in the shop

This service is used to monitor the quality of personnel and market research. Based on information collected from video surveillance cameras, operators of the monitoring department mark events for analysis: customer entry, demonstration of the jewellery item, the purchase, the length of conversation between customer and shop assistant, etc. This type of monitoring covers 20 shops across the chain each week. It is therefore possible to analyse data for the entire chain over the course of a year.

Major features of the application:

  • Taking screenshots from surveillance cameras;
  • Setting the current status of objects under observation;
  • The ability to quickly change the status of objects under observation;
  • Saving the history of statuses and screenshots in a database for further analysis and report generation.

UCS

Client for working with gift cards

Interaction with the UCS processing centre is fulfilled through the use of a specialised SDK. Data exchange with the cash register software is carried out by transferring the command line parameters to the application and reading the command execution results from a text file.

Functionality of the application:

  • Receiving card balance;
  • Zeroing cards;
  • Cash-in-transit command;
  • Receiving reports from the system;
  • Detailed logging of all operations.

Digift

Client for working with gift cards

A console application was developed to carry out data queries about gift cards issued by Digift processing centre. The web API-based application requests the following information for a given period:

  • Card number;
  • Issue date;
  • Card value;
  • Activation date.

The server response is recorded in a text file and detailed information about the work of the application is logged.

UniSender

SDK for sending out email and SMS notifications

A client is faced with the problem of sending automatic mailouts to customers who are members of a partnership programme. The mailouts were intended to be fulfilled via SMS and email. EDISON's programmers were set the task of creating an SDK for interaction with the UniSender service. The SDK was later rewritten to be used with a new mailing service, Sendsay. The SDK was created in the form of class libraries which were further utilised as parts of an SSIS package. Mailout templates were designed for both mailing systems.

Audit and rework

Internal product search system

The application was developed with ASP.NET Web Forms technology.

  • The application has been audited, a list of errors and critical points in the code has been compiled, and any deficiencies have been corrected;
  • A system for administrating user profiles via a web interface application was added;
  • New functionality was added for displaying stock remainders with the possibility of searching by shop number;
  • Errors occurring while searching for products using a given set of parameters were corrected.

Diadoc

Integration with electronic workflow system

We created an application that sends packing slips in PDF format using electronic workflow operator Diadoc.

The application is used for internal document workflow in an electronic format, facilitating the exchange of packing slips between the head office and the various branch offices.

2GIS

Application for collecting information about organisations

The application uses 2GIS API to access a list of all shopping centres in the country and a list of all entities based at every shopping centre. The information is used to account for the locations of competitors' shops as well as their product selections and prices when choosing a new branch location for Moscow Jewellery Factory.

The data received is saved in a database. Further analysis and creation of various reports is conducted using the client's software.

Main difficulties:

  • The structure of the database for storing the data was provided by the client and could not be changed;
  • Limited access to API whereby each request is paid for separately.

Sales helper

Designing a mobile application for Android

An Android application based on a brand book provided by the client was developed in order to help sellers. The application should have the following functions:

  • Filtering and viewing a product catalogue;
  • Making an order to buy a product;
  • Sending information about items viewed in the application to clients;
  • Display of advertising banners;
  • Maintaining statistics on the application';s usage.

In the process of designing the application we conducted the initial requirements analysis, created the user interface layout, developed and set out the software functionality requirements and described use cases.

The result of the design process is a software requirements specification for the development of a mobile application.