Client and goal

The client was the Croatian business consulting company Best Advisory. They are a company that helps small and medium businesses become more successful by guiding them to achieve digital transformation, offers strategic consulting, and helps achieve sustainable and responsible business. 

They already have numerous partners and clients. Best Advisory approached us with a request to build AI-powered software that will help their clients create reasonable and achievable key performance indicators. 

This idea was born from a simple need – you don’t need years of experience to create achievable OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), but you can use access to AI to create some for you. That is how the idea of OKR-copilot moved into the phase of a project.

Product Description

OKR Copilot is a React web app, which uses the OpenAI API to generate precise OKR-s. It allows users to be as precise as possible by selecting their business vertical, their previous KPIs, their business goals, the number of employees, etc. By imputing this information, the user gets a precise response from the AI service with suggestions of what OKRs should the business focus on in the next period. 

Applied technologies

Here are the technologies our team applied to deliver the app 

React – React is used for building user interfaces, especially for single-page applications where components can be reused to manage and update the UI efficiently. The frontend of OKR Copilot application is written using React as a programming language.

Java – Java is a versatile, object-oriented programming language used for building a wide range of applications. It is known for its portability and platform independence. We used Java to build the backend of OKR Copilot application.

Firebase – Firebase is a platform developed by Google that provides various services for developing web and mobile applications. It includes features like authentication, real-time database, cloud functions, hosting, and more. In order to keep the application secure, we used Firebase authentication for user management. 

OpenAI –  It provides open-source tools and APIs for building and experimenting with AI models. We used Open AI capabilities to prompt responses for creating the OKR-s. 

Typescript – TypeScript is a statically typed language that compiles to plain JavaScript. It adds static typing and other features to help developers catch errors during development. Typescript was used for ease of programming.

SQL – SQL is a domain-specific language used for managing and manipulating relational databases. It is used to define, query, and manipulate data in databases. This was our primary tool for constructing the database which will contain all the information relevant to the users.

Development process

The project idea was simple enough, with enough challenges to bring the unavoidable complexity. 

Firstly, to be able to do anything, we needed to allow users to register and log into the app. This was done with Google’s Firebase service for authenticating users. We also allowed the users to sign up for the app with their Google account. This was the standard procedure our company uses in most of the projects we do. 

Secondly, we needed to connect the OpenAI with our system, via their open API. 

The most important process that needed to be created was the prompt for the ChatGPT. The response from the AI needed to be personalized for each user, depending on multiple factors that are unique for each company. These factors include the size of the company, location, and department for which the OKRS are being generated. Also, we needed to guide the AI to generate OKRs that will be compatible with the company’s vision, as well as their industry vertical and strategic goals. 

Thirdly, in cooperation with the client, we decided that it would be a good idea to generate three responses so that users could choose between the generated responses. Afterward, this feature was upgraded to allow users to generate up to 10 responses if they were not satisfied with the results in the first place. 

Lastly, we added the feature to send the responses via email.

Next steps

Once we achieved functional requirements, it was time to make the app more visually appealing to the clients. With the help of a design team, the app was transformed from the standard, plain industrial software to a more modernized version, with stunning graphical elements. 

We also added a landing page. During one of our meetings, we found out that the app will not be a self-explanatory tool for new clients that might come without first corresponding with Best Advisory. We developed a new and modern landing page that connects the app and the Best Advisory web page. 

How does software such as OKR Copilot improve the company’s business?

On the side of the end user, this software allows them to create OKRs according to their own company needs and strategic goals. It is quick as a wink: after filling out a short, 5-minute questionnaire, you get OKR-s generated for you. This reduces the time needed for establishing business objectives.

On the other hand, it provides a chance for new companies to connect and gain reliable partners in their field of work. 

The question that naturally arises from this is ‘Why would anyone use the software instead of prompting the chat GPT by himself?’ The simplest answer is that it would take much more time to prompt the OpenAI to respond with quality than it would take to write them on paper! By this, we mean that the prompt in OKR Copilot is programmed to return quality responses with formatting which allows it to save time. 

Recommended ➜ Read about our WooCommerce delivery plugin

How much time does it take to build this type of software?

This particular project was done in around three weeks of development time. This includes the visual redesign of the app. 

Developed and redesigned in just three weeks, this React web app, powered by OpenAI, isn’t just a tool – it offers an insight into how businesses will be managed in the future.

As the digital space becomes increasingly focused on efficiency and practicality, tools like OKR Copilot reflect a broader shift towards user-friendly, agile solutions. There’s a growing demand for instant tools that streamline complex processes. Through this project, we learned that it can be done fast, reliably, and efficiently. 

One can predict that the future will bring apps that seamlessly integrate into daily operations. Two things are important. Speedy development, but also the quality of useful intelligence within these tools. 

The ability to have precise OKRs with just a few clicks speaks to the changing ways of doing business, with user-friendly, AI-driven applications.

As you explore the possibilities of B2B digital transformation, keep in mind that it sets you apart from your competition, but more so it helps your business breathe and thrive. 

Are there any quick solutions (or intricate ones) that would help you streamline your processes today? 

Connect with us for a free consultation, Lumen Spei is your B2B digital transformation partner. 

The post OKR Copilot: A ChatGPT-Powered App That Generates Personalized OKRs first appeared on Lumen Spei.

It’s crucial for developers to understand the paradigm shift and embrace the new decentralized web, but how do we do that without starting from scratch? Find out in the rest of this article as we dive into this question and provide valuable insights on how to adapt to the changes.

Web 1.0 – the humble beginnings 

This was the first idea of a globally connected network and the earliest version of the Internet or Web 1.0. The one word that could describe the internet as a whole at that time is – static. Most of the web was comprised of static web presentations, connected between them via hyperlinks. It is commonly referred to as the ‘view only’ web – the web which didn’t have any interactivity whatsoever. 

Firstly, dynamic URL was the game-changer. All the resources that were a crucial part of the internet also evolved, introducing different and modern solutions for internet services. Clouds changed how those services could be delivered over the internet. 

Most of the programming back in the day was done using just a simple HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) code, that structured the web page and position of images. Later, the web design environment evolved introducing CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), which allowed a more in-depth approach to stylizing web presentations. 

However, the user market has hungry for user-generated content. From this idea, Web 2.0 was borne.

Web 2.0 – User-generated web

In addition to a ‘read-only’ web page, Web 2.0 has grown into a ‘read/write’ Internet. The users are now able to input data which is sent directly to the servers, and the servers are in turn, able to send data back to the user. As a result, this made the Internet much more user oriented and personalized. 

This was possible due to the main internet protocol HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). 

But Web 2.0 would still be impossible without cloud technology, which allowed the usage of abstract server hardware. To simplify, cloud technology is what gives us our online storage devices, such as Google Drive. 

Finally, Web 2.0 relied on the centralized database system, which is a form of organizing data traditionally, under the governance of a singular authority. 

Web 3.0 – The future

It took us well over 10 years to transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0, and who knows how much time will pass until the Internet in its current format changes to the internet of the future – Web 3.0. 

Web 3.0 represents a shift in how data is stored and managed through the utilization of blockchain technology. Rather than relying on a centralized database, the decentralized approach of Web 3.0 empowers users to take control of their data, storing it across multiple interconnected machines, thereby breaking free from the limitations of centralization.

Additionaly, one fundamental difference between the two previous iterations and Web 3.0, is the ability of Web 3.0 to work with cryptocurrencies instead of fiat currency. 

Web 3.0 was designed with AI in mind. The reasoning behind artificial intelligence was that it would provide users with relevant data quickly. Using social bookmarking we can get better results than Google search. However, these results can be mass manipulated by paid bookmarkers, which would in term offer paid search results, instead of the real ones, so to say. This is where AI comes in. It has the option to filter out legitimate results, showing us the results which are not manipulated. 

Recommended ➜ Read about taking advantage of blockchain and digital disruptors in your industry.

What does Web 3.0 offer?

Some unique features can be developed using web 3.0.:

• NFT or non-fungible tokens are the tokens stored in the blockchain. They are unique digital identifiers that can not be changed, copied, or substituted. It is stored in the blockchain and is used to certify ownership or authenticity.
• Defi or Decentralised finances can replace traditional banking systems with decentralized, safe, and manageable finances.
• Cryptocurrencies are tokens on the blockchain that powers users to use various dApps.
• dApp (Decentralised Applications) are apps built on top of the blockchain network. These apps can make use of smart contracts.
• Smart contracts are an essential part of dApps. They are basically a piece of code that can be executed automatically, and it is immutable.
• DAO or decentralized autonomous organization is a form of organization that offers governance and structure in a decentralized ecosystem.

Recommended ➜ Learn how to start a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization).

So, how do we develop Web 3.0?

The main programming language for developing Web 3.0 is Solidity. 

It is an object-oriented complex programming language used to implement smart contracts into blockchain platforms. We have asked one of our blockchain experts, to share his experience with Solidity.

‘Security is key, and I can’t stress this enough. Most of the code you are going to write in Solidity needs to be as secure as possible. Hacking attacks have done major damage to some big companies. You can achieve the greatest possible security by writing robust tests and as many of them as possible. One more thing is minimalistic, clean code. Code with fewer lines of text is going to be easier for testing. Also, it is going to give any other developers you are working with an edge, for it is more understandable. The most important thing, however, is experience. You will achieve better results as you code more, learn more, and invest more time in learning.

Where to start on Web 3.0

We all love our learning process to be interactive. Make yours more engaging by exploring some of the interactive learning platforms. If you’re a seasoned programmer, try out these to enhance your education beyond traditional courses.

Cryptozombies.io is a platform where you program zombies while learning the basics of Solidity programming language. 

On the more advanced level, you can try Ethernaut. It is a platform that teaches you security by presenting you with smart contract problems and asking you if you can solve them. 

Next step towards a decentralized future

Upgrade your knowledge! This is a must. Technology is changing so rapidly that if you are stagnating as a developer, things are going to get out of hand quickly. Challenge yourself to implement new ideas. The more experience you have, the better.

Web 3.0 is still a new concept. However, the future might be just around the corner and we, as developers should be ready. 

With cyber-security being one of the top priorities of both commercial and personal agendas, blockchain is currently an unmatched technology.

The process of learning how to code a blockchain is time-consuming but rewarding. Developers who understand these new concepts will have many more opportunities in the near future.  

The Lumen Spei team is your guide through WEB 3 technology!

Digital transformation at Lumen Spei is a web 3.0 experience. Whether you need help building the project from scratch or you want smart contracts and dapps solutions, we are here for you. Our team of developers (with project managers and designers) will help you find the best solution for your business. Be sure to reach out and don’t leave your business in the dark.

The post Web 3.0: How to change your mindset, not your toolbox? first appeared on Lumen Spei.

Because technology is advancing so quickly, new terms and phrases must be implemented in this field almost daily. Therefore, many words you hear from developers mean something opposite to what you think they mean. 

We can all agree – software developers use a lot of strange words and phrases. 

To prove that, we talked with our developers and asked them to write down the 10 most commonly used terms in software development.

So, in this article, we’ll go through the 10 most common terms software developers use. 

10 basic terms you should know when working with software developers

Even though we all speak the same language (sometimes), there are a lot of terms you’ll encounter for the first time when working with the developers. 

Simple words get completely new meanings and new terms are dug out straight of old, dusty dictionaries. 

For someone who is new to the entire tech space, encountering these terms for the first time could be a bit stressful. Luckily, we’ve got your back. Here are the 10 basic terms non-technical people should know when working with software developers.

Recommended ➜ Read about the the process of product ownership in Lumen Spei

#1 Deployment

This word is most commonly heard from military personnel. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word deployment means the movement of troops or equipment to a place or position for military action. 

Even though it is similar in a sense, in software development, deployment is often referred to as something different. 

Software deployment is all about actions that lead to software being put to use. Deployment can include the release of the software, installation and activation, deactivation, or uninstalling of the software. 

To simplify, everything that has to do with the software being put to use can be called deployment. 

#2 Push

In general, push is an action that causes an object to be moved, like pushing a button, pushing a car, or pushing a cart in a supermarket. 

Developers usually refer to ‘push’ when using Git. In this case, push means sending (uploading) updates you have done in your local repository. 

Push can also be used in describing notifications in app development, where push notifications are clickable pop-up messages that appear on your phone. 

#3 Commit

This is a synonym for perpetrating or carrying out (like a mistake or a crime), or it can be a pledge or a bind (when you are reluctant to commit yourself to a particular opinion.)

In development, a commit is tightly connected to version control. Commit is, in this sense, an action that sends the latest source code changes to the repository (Git). 

These changes then become a permanent version of the state in which they are so that you can roll back to them whenever you need them. 

#4 Stack

Another everyday word that has similarities with computer language. 

When a non-developer person says the word stack, we all think of a pile of objects arranged in some manner. 

In software development, a stack is a data structure that only operates on the most recent item added. 

#5 Bug

One of the most common words, both in software development and everyday language. A bug is an insect, or a harmful microorganism, typically a bacteria. Or, in spy language, a bug is a small concealable microphone. 

The most simplified explanation of the word ‘bug’ from the software development side of view: a bug is a coding error in computer programming. 

It can also be a feature that malfunctions. “It’s not a bug. It’s a feature” is a common saying among developers. Project managers do not like this saying.

#6 Cache

We all love to have it, even though it’s spelled differently. Cash is referred to money in bills that you have on your person. 

Cache, on the other hand, is a form of high-speed data storage. Since it is slow for a user to access data from the primary storage location, the cache allows data to be temporarily stored so everyone can access it more quickly. 

#7 Cookie

The best cookies are made by your grandma, and some are the servers’ best friends. We all know that a cookie is a savory dessert, but developers know that a cookie is a piece of data stored in the web browser. The website can access this data anytime, and it tells the server some information we need. 

#8 Bootstrap

It can be on your shoe or your screen. Even though not commonly heard today, bootstrap is a loop on the back of the boot that helps you get your foot in the boot. 

However, developers know that Bootstrap is an open-source frontend framework that helps developers build responsive web pages faster and easier. 

#9 Hex

Commonly, the hex means a magic spell or a magical curse, or in some cases, it means to cast a spell or put a curse on someone. 

Fortunately, when a developer utters these words, he usually thinks about the color Hex – where every color in the visible spectrum is represented by a series of 6 letters or numbers with a # symbol in front.

#10 MVP

Finally, one abbreviation. In sports, MVP is an abbreviation for “Most Valuable Player”, while in software development, it stands for “Minimum Viable Product.”

There are dozens of examples, but we’ll stop here. 

Language has constantly been evolving. This process was slower in the past, but so was technological advancement and cultural exchange between nations. 

Today, technology advances extremely rapidly. We have means of communication that was unachievable 20 years ago, and the scope of cultural exchange is as unclear as it can be. The internet jargon and memes are shaping language like no other was able to do it before. 

Those most exposed to these influences are, in many cases, developers. They are not just innocent bystanders to the process of language evolution but the force that drives it forward. 

This is why language evolves rapidly and uncontrollably and we still have no idea what will happen in the future. 

Recommended ➜ Read about the 7 steps of digital transformation

Lumen Spei developers are here to help you

Even though these basic software development terms aren’t too big of a hassle for newcomers to learn, there’s a lot more to development lingo.

We know our clients want results and we confidently provide results every single time. But we like to go the extra mile. It’s never good to leave a client in the dark. To eliminate such scenarios, we always help our clients learn. 

When we join a particular project, we go all in. If we identify an opportunity for improvement, we articulate it immediately. By sharing our knowledge and enriching our clients and community with our latest findings, we get one step closer to fulfilling our mission. 

Our developers are highly skilled and have knowledge in numerous areas of development. Whenever you have a chance to ask them a question that’s bothering you for some time, please do! We appreciate every question we get, as it gives us an opportunity to share what we have learned through years of work. 

If you have a project you need to get finished, there is no better team to count on than Lumen Spei. Reach out to us and let’s start working! 

The post Software Development Vocabulary Basics: Terms You Need to Know first appeared on Lumen Spei.