iAsk, the mobile app for cross-industry networking

iTanks

The challenge

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, personal events have significantly declined, making networking far more difficult. For innovation platform iTanks, whose core mission is to connect people and ideas, this created a clear need for a digital alternative: a way to bring together companies, knowledge institutions, and industry experts online. Harborn developed a custom-built networking app with that very purpose in mind.

The solution

iAsk is a mobile app that connects challenges and solutions across different industries. For example, a problem in shipbuilding might benefit from an innovation in the packaging sector. The iAsk app is part of a broader platform that enables organizations to share challenges, find relevant solutions, and contribute their own, encouraging collaboration and cross-sector innovation.

The app is easy to use, both for those searching for solutions and those looking to contribute ideas to the network. Through the iEvents platform, users can quickly register for webinars or events, while the iSolutionsGuide allows them to save or share a PDF of any solution they’ve found. This makes it simple to organize insights and share valuable knowledge within their own network, a true win-win.

247

solutions on the platform

events every year

5000+

connected organizations

About Stichting iTanks

iTanks is an innovation and knowledge platform focused on connecting and renewing the port-related industry. They bring together companies, research institutions, and industry experts, linking them with the latest technologies and innovations. Driven by this mission, iTanks sought digital tools to make knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation more accessible.

A search function with a filter

The most important feature of the iAsk app is the search bar. This ensures that your “challenge” quickly leads you to the right solutions and industries. But how do you search in a network of some 5,000 providers? Indeed, the search function was an issue we set to work on. You absolutely want to avoid the app providing information that’s not relevant to you. The team tweaked the search function to filter out parts of the question, so that only real matches are shown as results. Of course, this was a matter of fine-tuning: words like 'the' and 'it' can be omitted without any problem, but that’s not enough for better search results. To the satisfaction of both iTanks and more importantly, users, the search function has been optimised so that the bar works exactly as desired.

Providing convenience for users

Other features were also designed, with the essence very much in mind. Networking really should be easily accessible. Not only according to the philosophy of iTanks, but also for the users of the app. That’s why it’s free to use the app and logging in is easy with a LinkedIn or Google profile. User profiles are protected but contact with other companies is possible using the iSolutionsGuide. There you will find the right contact person for your solution. Did you post a question to the network? Then you will receive a notification if there‘s a solution or innovation that matches.

Together for innovation

Like iTanks, Harborn has Rotterdam roots, but this was the first time we worked together. After thoroughly discussing the project with iTanks and an external innovation manager, Harborn took up the challenge of designing the mobile app. The starting point was the target group: what does this network need? The app really must help them. Our team stayed in close contact with iTanks, to shape the user requirements they had formulated. Within the iAsk app there are different parts for different issues:

The iSolutionsGuide, for finding solutions already offered by the industry
iChallenges, for setting out an issue
iFinance for help with financing and subsidies
iEvents for events

All these components are connected to one database, so that the information in the app is always up to date. By using this mobile app, you gain access to an extensive network of more than 5,000 organisations. Everything from the food processing sector to the maritime industry. That’s how iAsk provides every opportunity to drive innovation forward.

Technologies

Python
AWS services (Amazon Aurora, Lambda’s, AppSync)
Firebase
Flutter (iOS & Android app)
Wordpress CMS

iOS app
Android app

Harm-Jan

Technical Lead

Are you ready for digitalisation?

Feel like networking with us? Harborn is the perfect choice for linking databases to the best solutions. Analogue actions, artificial intelligence, online worlds, the perception of your target group… Whatever your issue or challenge feel free to contact us. If you’d like to know more about this particular case, get in touch with Harm-Jan, the project lead.

+31 10 436 50 50 harmjan.roskam@harborn.com