Clearly.app by Future Insight
Clearly.app is a collaboration platform widely used by Dutch municipalities to organize and streamline work processes for large infrastructure projects. From managing workflows to integrating geospatial data, Clearly.app revolutionized the way municipalities handle complex projects.
Challenge
Municipalities faced significant challenges in managing their workflows for large-scale projects, such as constructing a 40km road. Key issues included:
- Lack of structured, enforceable work processes.
- Difficulty in tracking agreements, approvals, and communications.
- Inability to access critical data on-site, especially in remote locations.
- Inefficient handling of geospatial data for visualizing progress.
Clearly needed to solve these problems with a real-time, mobile-friendly solution capable of handling unstructured data while providing geospatial insights.
Solution
We approached the challenge by leveraging Meteor.js and MongoDB to create a cutting-edge platform for the time (2014). Key features of Clearly.app included:
- Process Engine: Municipal workflows were visualized as flowcharts, which were then programmed into the platform. This allowed employees to follow a structured process, completing tasks like "approve document" or "inspect light post."
- Geospatial Map Integration: Clearly’s map component provided real-time visualizations of project data. For instance, in a road construction project, the map displayed parcel acquisitions, showing which parcels were acquired, under negotiation, or required legal action.
- Real-Time Data with Offline Support: The Meteor stack enabled real-time connections for seamless collaboration. To support fieldwork with poor internet connectivity, we added offline data syncing capabilities.
Transitioning from GoWion to Clearly required rewriting the backend in Meteor/Node.js, a significant undertaking that paid off by enabling faster development and real-time features.
Results
Clearly.app became a critical tool for municipalities, offering:
- Enforced work processes, ensuring all steps were followed consistently.
- Easy retrieval of all project data, like agreements, tasks, and communications, accessible on both desktop and mobile devices.
- A geospatial interface that simplified complex project tracking.
- Scalable performance that supported many users simultaneously.
Though specific user feedback and stats are unavailable, the product was widely appreciated for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Lessons Learned
Developing Clearly offered several key insights:
- Choose the Right Stack: MongoDB's support for unstructured data and Meteor’s full-stack capabilities were game-changers for a small team needing rapid development.
- Rebranding Matters: The shift to Clearly, with its catchy name and professional branding, greatly enhanced its marketability.
- Collaboration Challenges: While working with a nearshore team in Eastern Europe added developers, it slowed down progress, highlighting the importance of efficient communication.
Conclusion
Clearly.app demonstrated the power of combining real-time technologies with geospatial insights to solve complex municipal challenges. By choosing the right stack and focusing on user-centric features, the platform became a trusted tool for managing large infrastructure projects.