Case Studies - Canadian Professional Sales Association

The Client

The Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) offers its 30,000 members training programs, professional certification, information resources, and considerable savings on travel and a wide assortment of business services. Since many of its members are sales "road warriors", CPSA's TravelSave program is extremely popular. TravelSave gives members access to hotel discounts of up to 60% and significant savings on car rentals, airport parking, rail travel, and travel insurance. TravelSave is a major draw for new members since the savings realized on just one business trip can pay for the annual CPSA membership fee.

TravelSave Mobile Application

Project Description:

CPSA has long offered a popular hotel search function on its website. Providing mobile access for on-the-go sales professionals was the logical next step. Since over 80% of CPSA members rely on BlackBerry smartphones, it was the obvious platform of choice for CPSA's first mobile application. Rather than simply port their existing web-based hotel search to the BlackBerry, CPSA's Aaron Pais recognized an opportunity to develop a sophisticated location-aware travel application that would help its members save additional time and money. Pais, project lead at CPSA and the driving force behind the project, also saw the tremendous potential to build awareness of CPSA and recruit new members by offering the application for free to non-members through the BlackBerry App World.

With the imminent launch of the App World, Pais wanted to find a partner that could quickly create a powerful and engaging application, to be named "BTSidekick". He needed a firm with expertise in mobile usability, the BlackBerry technical platform, location-based services and real-time integration with back end transactional systems.

The bitHeads Solution:

To help manage the project, CPSA engaged the Mike Tango Group who immediately brought in bitHeads to create the location-aware BlackBerry resident application. "bitHeads was selected for their BlackBerry expertise and track record of creating mobile applications that users love." states Pais. bitHeads' team of mobile usability specialists, BlackBerry development experts, and quality assurance professionals jumped into action and worked closely with Mike Tango Group and the CPSA. The BTSidekick application combines BlackBerry's GPS capability with Google Maps to provide mobile users with the ability to see hotels, restaurants, parking and other services that are near their current location or anywhere in the world. In addition to location data and driving directions for each place, BTSidekick provides ratings, contact information, rates, and CPSA member discounts.

Results:

BT Sidekick was successfully launched as a free application on the BlackBerry App World in July 2009. "The feedback from users has been extremely positive," continues Pais. "bitHeads were amazing to deal with. They quickly became a trusted partner in this important project. Their mobile design talent and development expertise are top-notch and their stellar reputation is well deserved."