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One Data Source. Two Seamlessly Connected Apps.
Developing Android and iPhone applications that seamlessly integrate with InsidEntity’s WordPress CMS and pull structured corporate intelligence data through a REST API.
Client Overview
InsidEntity is a global information provider focused on company, director, financial and country information. Its platform is positioned around helping users access structured corporate intelligence and “Know your Entity.”
The requirement was to develop Android and iPhone applications that could integrate seamlessly with InsidEntity’s existing WordPress CMS and pull the required information through a REST API.
The applications needed to connect reliably to the existing data source, consume structured information through the API and display it accurately across both mobile platforms.
Industry
Global Information Provider · Corporate Intelligence
Company size
50 employees
Project type
Mobile App Development · REST API Integration
The Business Problem
InsidEntity needed to extend its existing platform to Android and iPhone.
The information required by the mobile applications was already managed within InsidEntity’s existing WordPress platform.
The apps therefore could not operate as standalone products. They had to integrate with the existing system and pull their information through the REST API.
Applications were required for two mobile platforms
InsidEntity needed applications for both Android and iPhone.
Both apps had to connect to the existing WordPress CMS
The mobile applications needed to work within the existing platform rather than maintaining separate information.
Structured information had to come through the REST API
Both applications needed to correctly consume the structured information returned through the API.
The mobile experience had to remain consistent with the source data
What users saw in the applications needed to remain consistent with the information managed within the existing platform.
Information had to display accurately across devices
The applications needed to interpret the API data correctly and present it accurately across Android and iPhone devices.
What Made This Complex
Developing two mobile interfaces was only part of the requirement.
The applications had to integrate cleanly with an existing platform, depend on information supplied through an API and present that information consistently across two different mobile platforms.
The real challenge was making the mobile applications, REST API and existing data source behave as one connected platform.
Two apps relied on one existing data source
The Android and iPhone applications did not contain their own independent information.
Both had to connect to InsidEntity’s existing platform and consume the same underlying data through the REST API.
The REST API was central to the applications
The API was not an optional integration added after development.
It was the mechanism through which both applications received the information they needed, which meant the applications had to be developed around the API’s structure and behaviour.
Accurate mobile presentation mattered
Successfully retrieving information from the API was only part of the solution.
The applications also had to translate that data into a usable mobile experience and ensure that it displayed accurately on Android and iPhone devices.
Our Role
Our work centred on developing the Android and iPhone applications and integrating them with InsidEntity’s existing platform through the REST API.
The key requirement throughout was reliable, accurate information across both mobile platforms.
Developed the Android Application
Developed the Android mobile application.
Developed the iPhone Application
Developed the iPhone mobile application.
Integrated Both Apps with WordPress
Connected both applications to the existing WordPress CMS through the REST API.
Built Around the Existing Data Structure
Built the applications to consume structured data and align with the existing data structure.
Maintained Accurate Cross-Platform Presentation
Ensured that API-supplied information displayed accurately and consistently across Android and iPhone.
The Solution We Delivered
The result was a pair of connected mobile applications for Android and iPhone that integrate with InsidEntity’s existing platform and pull their information through the REST API.
Both applications work from the same underlying source rather than separate data environments.
Android Application
An Android application connected to the existing platform through the REST API and consuming the structured information required by the app.
iPhone Application
An iPhone application using the same integration model to pull and display the required information on iOS devices.
REST API Integration
REST API integration connects both mobile applications to the existing WordPress data source.
One Underlying Data Source
Both applications consume their information from the same source instead of maintaining independent data within each application.
Consistent Cross-Platform Presentation
The solution supports consistent and accurate presentation of the source information across Android and iPhone.
Tech Stack Used
Mobile Apps
Android and iPhone applications consuming data from the existing platform
API
REST API connection between the applications and existing data source
Data Source / CMS
Existing WordPress CMS supplying structured data to both applications
Delivery Created More Than Two Mobile Apps
Delivery centred on the relationship between the applications and InsidEntity’s existing data environment.
Android development, iPhone development and API integration were not treated as separate pieces of work. They needed to operate as one connected system.
Both applications had to understand the structure of the information returned through the REST API, consume it consistently and translate it into the correct mobile presentation.
One Data Source Supporting Both Applications
Both the Android and iPhone applications consume information from the same underlying source.
Information therefore does not need to be maintained independently inside each mobile application.
Seamless Integration with the Existing Platform
The applications were developed to work with InsidEntity’s existing WordPress and REST API environment.
The mobile solution extends the existing platform rather than creating a disconnected standalone system.
Cross-Platform Mobile Access
InsidEntity’s information is available through applications for both Android and iPhone.
The same integration model supports both mobile platforms.
The takeaway
This project shows what is required when mobile applications need to become part of an existing digital ecosystem rather than operate as standalone products.
The REST API had to form part of the core application architecture, allowing both applications to interpret the same source data consistently and maintain alignment between the existing system, API and mobile applications.
By connecting both Android and iPhone applications to the same existing WordPress data source, InsidEntity could extend its existing platform to mobile without creating separate data environments for each application.
If your organisation already has the data and systems but needs mobile applications that can connect to them properly, this is the kind of development we deliver: applications built around your existing environment, integrated through APIs, and designed to turn the data you already have into a seamless mobile experience.
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