Visitool: a Journey from Idea to Full-Fledged Application with HCL Domino 

At GroupWave, we specialise in providing cost-friendly solutions for companies looking to digitise their processes. Leveraging the power of the HCL Domino Rapid Application Development (RAD) platform, we embarked on our own journey to create a visitor registration tool called Visitool. In this case study, we will explore how Visitool evolved from a simple idea and Proof of Concept (POC) to an actual product that we have brought to market. 

Phase 1: Idea 

The idea of Visitool came from recognising the limitations of existing visitor registration solutions. We wanted to eliminate the hassle of paper-based systems and manual processes. Our goal was to create a system that accurately tracked visitor entries and exits.  

This new system should display timestamps, provide additional visitor information (such as destination floors or contact persons), and offer a space for comments like a visitor’s preferred language. We also prioritised security, ensuring GDPR compliance and enabling building-wide visibility during emergencies, particularly for lobbies handling multiple companies. 

Phase 2: Concept 

To kickstart Visitool’s development, we organised a requirement gathering brainstorm, putting ourselves in the shoes of our potential customers. With just two weeks and one developer, we quickly built an in-house Proof of Concept (POC). From there, the application grew organically based on evolving needs. 

HCL Domino proved to be the perfect platform for building and growing MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) and POCs (Proofs of Concept), since it allowed us to effortlessly incorporate new components. These projects are typically small in scale, handled by a single experienced developer who performs analysis, development, and user feedback gathering.  

With a wide range of integration possibilities and built-in security features, HCL Domino removed the complexities often associated with application development. The server’s versatility as a web, database, and mail server in one simplified the setup and maintenance process. 

Phase 3: Product 

As we added features, Visitool expanded into a full-fledged product. Its backend and database operate within the HCL Domino environment, while the web application frontend is seamlessly integrated. We collaborated with Optis for this frontend, leveraging their expertise in React development. 

Thanks to HCL Domino’s portability, customers will be able to easily install and deploy Visitool on their preferred infrastructure. All it takes is some simple configuration, which we are currently streamlining, and setting up translations, which we are also looking into automating. Because HCL Domino is an open platform, it’s easy to customise Visitool with additional integrations, such as license plate recognition. We also offer Visitool as a Docker container through our Software as a Service (SaaS) model. 

Conclusion 

Visitool clearly shows how you can build simple yet powerful applications with HCL Domino. From our original intention as a simple proof of concept to showcase an idea, it has unexpectedly grown into a full-fledged product. The speed and agility offered by HCL Domino means that small teams can turn ideas into tangible POCs and MVPs in a matter of weeks. This makes it an ideal choice for companies seeking cost-effective solutions for custom application development. We’re excited to bring Visitool to market, and offer our customers a user-friendly, secure, and efficient way to digitise their visitor management processes. 

Want to build your own powerful applications with limited resources? Contact us today to find out more about how HCL Domino can help turn your ideas into elaborate POCs and market-ready products.