Smart Building Operations With Carrier Module

CLIENT

NDA

INDUSTRY

Smart Building Technology

SERVICE

Staff Augmentation / Custom Software Development / DevOps

Overview

Sphere collaborated with a Chicago-based leader in smart building solutions to develop a Carrier module for their platform. This project focused on creating an API integration and a Java-based plugin to connect Carrier’s WebCTRL technology with the client’s application. The primary objectives were to enhance temperature control capabilities and streamline operational processes, ensuring the client could deliver superior building management experiences to their customers.

About the Client

The client operates at the forefront of the smart building technology sector, specializing in modernized security systems, energy management, and comprehensive building experience enhancements. Headquartered in Chicago, the company integrates people, systems, and spaces to provide innovative solutions for real estate management. As a mid-sized enterprise committed to pushing the boundaries of building technology, the client emphasizes innovation and adaptability.

Challenge

The client encountered several critical challenges that threatened their project timelines and overall platform stability:

Leadership and Expertise Gap: The exit of their CTO, a pivotal figure in platform architecture and development, left the company without essential leadership and technical expertise.

Resource Constraints and Technical Debt: Ongoing projects faced risks due to limited resources, increasing the potential for technical debt that could compromise platform integrity.

Architectural Guidance and Compliance Needs: The client required expert guidance to navigate architectural decisions for long-term scalability and performance, while implementing robust CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices to ensure compliance and platform security.

Our Solution

Sphere stepped in to bridge the expertise and resource gaps faced by the client. Our comprehensive approach included both technical and strategic interventions:

Sphere began by assembling a skilled team tailored to the project’s needs, including an architect, backend developers, a QA engineer, and a project manager. This dedicated team provided the essential expertise and support required to tackle the client’s immediate gaps in leadership and technical resources. Once the team was in place, we focused on developing and deploying a Java-based plugin specifically designed to efficiently process temperature control commands. This plugin enabled seamless communication with Carrier’s WebCTRL API, ensuring reliable and real-time temperature management within the client’s smart building platform.

With the core integration underway, Sphere then established robust development and deployment environments. We implemented Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, which facilitated automated deployments and streamlined the development workflow. This infrastructure not only accelerated the development cycles but also minimized risks associated with manual deployments. Recognizing the critical importance of security, we integrated OAuth2 for secure API authorization. This measure ensured that all data exchanges between the client’s platform and Carrier’s WebCTRL API were protected against unauthorized access and potential breaches.

To support the project’s ongoing development and future scalability, Sphere delivered comprehensive functional and technical specifications along with detailed system documentation. This documentation provided the client’s team with clear guidelines and reference materials, enabling them to maintain and expand the platform independently. Finally, our QA engineer conducted extensive testing, including unit, integration, and end-to-end tests, to verify the functionality and performance of the newly integrated module. This rigorous testing process ensured that the integration was both reliable and robust before its final deployment.

Through this methodical, step-by-step approach, Sphere successfully bridged the client’s expertise and resource gaps, delivering a secure, scalable, and efficiently integrated Carrier module that enhanced the overall functionality of their smart building platform.

Project Timeline & Milestones

The project was meticulously planned and executed over an 11-week period, adhering to a structured timeline with key milestones:

  • Start Date: October 21, 2024
  • Duration: 11 weeks

Documentation Completion

 Finalized functional and technical specifications, providing a solid foundation for development activities.

API Integration and Plugin Deployment

 Successfully developed and deployed the Java-based plugin connecting the client’s platform with Carrier’s WebCTRL API

Testing and Validation

 Conducted comprehensive testing and validated the enhanced temperature control functionality, ensuring seamless integration and performance

Project Completion

Delivered the fully integrated module, complete with documentation and security measures, meeting all project objectives within the stipulated timeline.

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Result

The collaboration between Sphere and the client yielded significant improvements and set the stage for future advancements:

  • Seamless Integration: Delivered a fully functional Carrier module integrated with the client’s platform, enabling precise and reliable temperature control. This integration allowed building managers to monitor and adjust temperature settings in real-time, enhancing occupant comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Operational Efficiency: Implemented robust CI/CD pipelines and secure deployment processes, which streamlined development workflows and reduced time-to-market for new features and updates. This efficiency empowered the client to respond swiftly to market demands and customer needs.
  • Scalability and Innovation Foundation: Strengthened the client’s platform architecture, ensuring it could scale effectively to accommodate future growth and technological advancements. This solid foundation facilitated ongoing innovation, allowing the client to introduce new smart building solutions with confidence.
  • Enhanced Security and Compliance: Integrated OAuth2 authorization and DevSecOps practices fortified the platform’s security posture, ensuring compliance with industry standards and protecting sensitive data from potential threats.
  • Knowledge Transfer and Documentation: Provided comprehensive documentation and knowledge transfer sessions, enabling the client’s internal teams to maintain and expand the platform independently. This empowerment reduced dependency on external resources and fostered internal expertise.

Key Achievements

On-Time and Within Budget Delivery

Successfully completed the project within the 11-week timeframe and adhered to the client’s budget constraints, demonstrating Sphere‘s commitment to efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Advanced API Integration

Enhanced the client’s API integration with Carrier’s WebCTRL, enabling more sophisticated and reliable temperature control functionalities that differentiate the client’s platform in the competitive smart building market.
Bridging Technical Gaps

Addressed the immediate technical void left by the departure of the client’s CTO by providing experienced offshore resources. This strategic support ensured that ongoing projects remained on track and that platform development continued without interruption.
Improved Platform Stability

Mitigated risks associated with resource constraints and potential technical debt by delivering a well-architected solution that promoted platform stability and long-term sustainability.Mitigated risks associated with resource constraints and potential technical debt by delivering a well-architected solution that promoted platform stability and long-term sustainability.