Skoda ZEN:Play – Zentity a.s.

Open Multi-Vendor platform allows MyŠkoda users to access exciting new services

Together with Zentity Škoda Auto developed an open platform that allows MyŠkoda users to seamlessly access approved third party services and allows third party providers to develop service widgets in a clearly defined Škoda environment.

Project Introduction

The MyŠkoda App was supposed to have three main functionalities which were to be fully integrated into the Škoda ecosystem:

Information about car status + car connectivity (SmartGate / MIB)

Communication with your preferred Škoda dealership

PAUL Asistant – inteligent asistant and navigation planner using custom developed predictive algorithm

Additional features included: Optical recognition (allows recognition of car interior elements and display information from your car manuals, Parking assistant, PCI form for service requests and a Digital service plan – list with all service operations regarding the users car.

The MyŠkoda App third party integration project aimed to enable third party plugin developers to develop, test & deploy plugins into MyŠkoda App in order to extend its functionality. The integration of the plugins was claimed to be as seamless as possible, but also defining clear rules, terms and conditions which have to be fulfilled by each specific plugin/use to be integrated (e.g. UX rules, technology, security, process rules etc.).

It supplied a complex solution for third party plug-in modules, integration into the MyŠkoda application consists of a number of components, with two major deliverables – Plugin SDK a Developer portal. Plugin SDK is an interface developed separately for Android and iOS that allows the core of the MyŠkoda app to interact with the plugins and for plugins to access the resources of the system. This code resides and is deployed together with MyŠkoda app. The developer portal is a web application running in the cloud that allows plugin developers to get development resources and to submit plugins.

Client

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic

Client HQ

2017

Year of realization

Enriching MyŠkoda with additional third party services

Škoda aimed to enable third party plugin developers to develop, test & deploy plugins into the MyŠkoda app in order to extend the services which are available for MyŠkoda users. The integration of the plugins needed to be as seamless as possible, but also had to follow clearly definined rules, terms and conditions which have to be fulfilled by each plugin/user to be integrated (e.g. UX rules, technology, security, process rules etc.).

The goal was to develop a Plugin SDK and a Developer portal. The Plugin SDK is an interface developed separately for Android and iOS that allows the core of the MyŠkoda app to interact with the plugins and for plugins to access the resources of the system. A developer portal is a web application running in the cloud that allows plugin developers to get development resources and to submit plugins.

Solution

PluginSDK

PluginSDK is a solution for the MyŠkoda app to extend its functionality. It allows installation and the use of third party plugins, which are available for download. Because of objective reasons, plugins cannot be integrated directly into the MyŠkoda app core. Each installed plugin acts as a native part of MyŠkoda app and keeps the user experience. Installing third party plugins increases the additional value of the whole application.

ŠkodaSDK grants to the MyŠkoda app the possibility to implement functionalities that already exist as a stand-alone solution. These solutions have to be transformed to plugin modules and the MyŠkoda app can use them.

The goal is to support Android and iOS native plugins (written in Android / iOS native development language) as well as React-native plugins (written in JavaScript). Native plugins are the ideal choice for media rich applications and applications that need low-level sensors and/or intensive computation. The native plugin can be upgraded only together with the host app rebuilding. JavaScript is ideal for form-based applications. The react native plugin can be upgraded over the air without rebuilding the host app.

Developer Portal

The developer Portal provides an option for plugin module developers to add a completed plugin to the complex system and submit it for testing and approval. The added plugin is subject to the control and testing process, at the end of which it is released to production for the MyŠkoda application.

The developer Portal is a web solution used by third party developers as well as Škoda admins & testers. Advanced user management controls four levels of their permissions. Each user role manages a particular flow of the plugin lifecycle management within the portal.

The solution which was developed now allows the Škoda team to easily provide third party developers with documentation and guidelines and a SandBox environment. The development efforts were successfully moved to the third party service providers and Škoda maintained the role of approval and quality control while having developers providing additional services in parallel.

The complex workflow enables the Škoda team to:

Create a plugin module entry and set its parameters (name, ID, type, platform, developer)
Create a plugin module version and set its parameters (name, description, disclaimer, icons, allowed territories, availability time, update settings)
Set tokens, keys and webhooks for developers
Show the lists of plugins and plugin versions with statistics
Show the dashboard with summaries
Upload the plugin bundle files and assets bundle files
Validate plugin bundle completeness and parameters correctness
Launch the plugin review process (switching between different states from submitting for review to approving/rejecting)
Release the plugin version
Show developer documentation and guides
Download SDK and SandBox application

ZEN:Play the first Super App platform

ZEN:Play redefines the way digital product portfolios are put together and managed. It allows you to smartly integrate 3rd party products / widgets into your digital channels faster than ever – providing greater flexibility, lower cost and a wider variety for your customers.

ZEN:Play is the first Super App & Software Development Platform that allows you to stay in control of your digital channels 3rd party products, apps and widgets. It provides a framework for 3rd parties to develop their own widgets in your digital channel. ZEN:Play keeps your IT team and costs lean but your product portfolio wide and interesting. Instead of developing widgets you manage them and give your customers a wider choice of services.