Expert knowledge on the go: smart fertilizer app

Cross-platform app development: an archipelago as a digital ecosystem

Island solutions are frowned upon in the digital world. They can be detrimental to business, as a lack of networking prevents efficiency, innovation and growth. The situation is different with an archipelago, a connected group of islands. We have created just such an archipelago with the development of the Crop Companion app for our customer, the specialty fertilizer manufacturer COMPO EXPERT.

Key facts

• Full process support from concept to wireframing and design to programming
• Cross-platform availability (iOS and Android) thanks to the Cordova framework
• Uniform and intuitive user experience thanks to the use of the design system developed by us
• Corporate website based on Drupal with interface serves as database

Mobile progress

For over 20 years, we have been working closely with the COMPO EXPERT team to advance the company not only in an analog way, but also digitally. At the heart of this is our global corporate website with product database. Find out how we use it to optimally supply both COMPO EXPERT and its users here: Optimally supplied: Digital fertilizer world

But together we wanted more. In addition to new functions that can be used exclusively on smartphones and offline, it was important to us to make the information on the already responsive website even more accessible on the go. So we have expanded the digital ecosystem of COMPO EXPERT. We added our own app for smartphones and tablets. This should not only be functional, but also aesthetically pleasing. Our goal was to create an application that would increase the efficiency and productivity of both COMPO EXPERT fertilizers and their professional users. How we succeeded?

Drupal as a single source of truth

With the creation of the aforementioned archipelago, which connects our new app like an island with the other digital solutions from COMPO EXPERT. This project impressively demonstrates that Drupal is far more than just a platform for traditional websites. It acts as the linchpin of a digital ecosystem that works effectively with various satellite applications.
With this app development, we have created a digital tool that not only meets current technological requirements, but also enriches the user experience. The app's content is continuously retrieved from the Drupal website and flows automatically and securely via a customized interface. Our customer's editors can therefore work in the existing Drupal backend of the corporate website without any additional training or familiarization.

Efficiency gains for us too

Thanks to the use of the mobile framework "Apache Cordova", the app is available on both iOS and Android, which has made development significantly more effective and cost-efficient. Despite its non-native development, the app feels like it was programmed directly for the respective systems. The performance is also in no way inferior. With currently over 17 countries and regions with around 300 products and even more additional content, this was a real challenge.

Perfectly tailored to the needs of COMPO EXPERT users

Our app offers a range of functions that are specifically tailored to the needs of farmers. The offline functionality allows users to access important information even in remote areas without a stable internet connection. In addition, the application is available around the globe, which underlines its international applicability.

The COMPO EXPERT Crop Companion app has become a digital partner in the field, in the park or on the lawn. It offers fertilizer recommendations for different growth stages, information on the prevention and control of diseases and deficiencies, expert knowledge in video and guidebook format and enables direct contact with COMPO EXPERT advisors.
Want to see for yourself? Then download our smartphone and tablet app for Android or iOS.

Excellent in the truest sense of the word

The fact that we have done a lot of things right with our app is not only proven by the praise from our customer, but also by the award at the Splash Awards 2023 (more information can be found here).

But we're not satisfied with that just yet. The app is constantly being expanded with new features. Next step: specific product applications. This will expand the focus from recommendations based on the crop to be fertilized to recommendations for specific product solutions. So our archipelago will continue to grow in the future!