One of UDig’s 2016 projects included the development and implementation of a new POS system with one of our largest retail clients. The new application provides a suite of powerful, easy to use tools to present a consistent sales story across all selling channels helping to streamline the customer experience at the point of sale. It was built using industry proven technologies that support future growth, as well as, an intuitive and stable technology environment.
We recently sat down and talked with Eddy, the UDig consultant leading the UX/UI development efforts, about the project and some of his experiences as a consultant with UDig.
MB: How long have you been working in the IT field?
7 years total including freelance project work.
MB: You have spent most of your career primarily in the UX/UI arena. How did you start your career in software development?
I actually started off selling web services for a small startup. We had talent, and my job was to find clients. One day the CEO asked me if I’d like to learn how to code so I could do some coding while I had downtime. A year later I was coding full time.
MB: What do you enjoy most about working in technology, specifically front end development?
Making something out of literally nothing. Starting a new project with a blank canvas and an idea gives me a sense of freedom I can’t find anywhere else.
MB: What are some of your favorite technologies and why?
NPM for managing dependencies, Git for version control/team collaborations, Gulp/Webpack/Angular-Cli for building apps, Sass/Less for compiling CSS (I like the nesting, variables, and mixins, just keeps CSS clean), HTML/CSS/JS are the big three in web development just general must knows, Typescript for keeping JS clean and readable, Lint for keeping JS/CSS clean and readable, Angular framework for modularizing Javascript, if i’m not writing CSS from scratch I like Material Design by google, or Bootstrap as boilerplates.
Outside of coding, Smart Phones because they have so many ways to connect to other things. 3D printers because you have so much freedom to create physical objects for a wide variety of purposes. Last but not least, Tesla coils because of their potential to send wireless electricity.
MB: What new technologies are you interested in learning more about?
Professionally, React JS because it’s Javascript that manages html, not the other way around. Swift for iOs because yea apps. Lastly, Java so I can be more competent in backend things.
On a more personal note, wireless electricity, solar panels, robotics, generators, and magnetic field manipulation have always been of interest.
MB: You have been an integral part of the development efforts to implement a new web based POS application. This new enhanced application is being used to formulate pricing, marketing and merchandising strategies as well as replenish inventory accurately and rapidly. You have been on the project for several months with great success. Tell us about some of your day to day responsibilities.
Scrum in the morning (to talk about the agenda), working on stories (coding, figuring out problems), presenting new code, researching possible ways to increase efficiency in our code, design analysis, presenting new ideas to the Project Owner, and sometimes answering the phone or an email about why the app is misbehaving.
MB: What do you enjoy most about this project so far?
Being taken seriously as an expert and having my feedback heard and respected.
MB: What are some of the challenges have you experienced and been able to overcome?
Time management, setting expectations, estimating work hours. All have been overcome by communicating properly, and giving myself the appropriate amount of time to complete projects/stories. This skill can take years to develop correctly.
MB: You have experience in both Design and Development. How has this training helped in your current position?
It has helped me guide others on my team, and has forced upper management to take a second look at things. I am well prepared to tackle my actual job and I have been able to add value to the client by suggesting UX/UI changes that where overlooked, but ultimately provided better user experience.
MB: How has your experience been working with UDig in the consulting arena?
It’s been a great experience working at UDig. I have enjoyed both my project and time as a consultant. This engagement has allowed me to grow professionally as well as advance my skills in the latest technologies.
MB: What career advice would you offer to future technologists who are planning for a career in IT?
Code is in constant flux, you must learn to accept change when it comes and it comes often. Besides that, communication is the #1 reason things don’t work out. Always communicate with your teams and if you are struggling don’t be afraid to ask for a hand, but take notes!