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Case Study: IoT apps for controlling an air conditioning system

Simple and neat native iOS and Android applications that connect directly through BLE to the firmware of the air conditioner system and allow control and management of environmental conditions.

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faster on-site AC system setup for installers

– months

from project kickoff to App Store release

Project details:

About the Client:

The Client is a multinational electronic company that manufactured a new air conditioner. We were commissioned to develop an application for this air conditioner to facilitate its market entry. There was a liaison between a manufacturer and us.

Location – One Boston Place, Suite 2602 Boston, MA 02108, United States.
Industry – Air Conditioning (AC) remote control.
Team size – 6 specialists (Project Manager, Quality Assurance Specialist, 2 iOS Developers, 2 Android Developers).
Project duration – 6 months.

Business challenge

We were responsible for the front-end and back-end parts of the project. The biggest challenge was establishing a seamless connection between the air conditioner and the Android devices because of the variety of versions and gadgets Android has.

Additional requirements:

a 2-week business trip to China at the start of the project;
shared working space with the liaison’s team, enabling quick resolution of issues;
official release of the iOS app version on the App Store.

Our solution

Our solution involved developing native iOS and Android applications that connect directly through BLE to the firmware of the AC system. This approach allowed for the control and management of the environmental conditions. We used native methods to establish a connection for both iOS and Android app versions, with a particular focus on overcoming the challenge of connecting various Android devices and versions. The successful implementation of these apps was critical in integrating the new air conditioning system into the market.

Dual user functionality

The application was uniquely designed to cater to two types of users: installers and consumers. The installer uses the app for advanced setup on-site during the installation and maintenance of the AC system. In contrast, the consumer utilizes the app to control the AC system, offering a user-friendly interface for managing their home environment.

Additional features:

Temperature management;
Activity scheduling;
Fan speed and louver control;
Modes and custom settings;
Service monitor and updates;
Multilingual support (Chinese and English).

Business value

Before:

The new air conditioner model was not yet ready for market launch due to the lack of a corresponding application.
No dedicated digital tool existed for installers to configure AC units on-site – each parameter had to be set manually on the hardware.
Consumers had no mobile interface for controlling the AC system, relying solely on the physical remote control unit.
Managing thermostats in multiple rooms required separate physical interaction with each unit.

After:

The application brought the AC product line to market within 6 months, enabling the Client’s sales and distribution in the target region.
Installers configure AC systems ~60% faster using the guided digital setup workflow, covering commissioning, parameter setup, and service monitoring from one interface.
Consumers manage temperature, fan speed, louver position, scheduling, and custom modes directly from their phones.
The app controls multiple thermostats across different rooms from a single interface, replacing per-unit physical access.