Web Application Case Study - Athena
Project Overview

During the end of Q2 2023, in collaboration with our long time partner Technologica, we noticed a gap in the corporate e-learning landscape which could be easily exploited. Many of the open source systems available today are either targeted towards K-12 and university education or are simply outdated. Additionally, none of the systems in the price range for small to medium sized corporations had easy integrations with HR management systems. With our experience with web apps and Technologica’s market dominance in Bulgarian HR management systems with HeRMeS, we decide to launch a PoC e-learning platform for the Bulgarian market.We focused on a minimum-viable product which contains video and file based lessons, tests, final exams, and user-to-course assignment management. Our main priority was, and still is, seamless HeRMeS integration. This allowed us to dig deep into an existing client pool which is primed and ready for such a product.
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Client Profile

Company: TechnologicaLocation: Sofia, BulgariaIndustry: SoftwareSize: 213 employees, 19M BGN revenue (2021): BGN profit (2019)
Challenges
  • Ensuring security and compliance: HeRMeS clients include banks, insurance companies, telecom providers, and industrial facilities. Their strict adherence to software standards and compliance procedures meant that there were a lot of additional factors to consider when developing the overall technical infrastructure of the project.
  • Requirements investigation: As opposed to regular consulting projects, where the software is a perfect fit for one client, Athena attempts to approach a broader market. Thus, requirements investigation called for more market research and resulted in a more well-rounded product that can properly satisfy its respective segment segment.
  • Multi-technological approach: Because of segment-specific requirements such as on-premise video handling and storage, a multi-technological approach was taken. Different microservices written in different languages were written so that the tech stack is best suited for the individual stacks.
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Solution

Athena emerges as a robust solution tailored for the Bulgarian corporate e-learning sphere, meticulously engineered to ensure data security, user accessibility, and seamless integration with systems like HeRMeS. Our platform's architecture is built for scalability and flexibility, allowing for extensive customization to meet the unique needs of small to medium-sized enterprises. Security is paramount, with stringent measures including end-to-end encryption and adherence to global standards, ensuring client data remains protected. Additionally, Athena's design focuses on an optimal user experience, offering intuitive navigation and responsive design across devices, making e-learning accessible and engaging for all users.

The platform is equipped with advanced analytics for insightful feedback on course effectiveness and learner progress, supporting data-driven decisions to enhance training outcomes. Continuous updates and a commitment to incorporating user feedback guarantee Athena's evolution in step with technological advancements and client needs. Early adoption and pilot projects have underscored Athena's potential to significantly improve professional development, signaling a bright future for corporate training in Bulgaria. This streamlined approach positions Athena as a future-proof solution in the e-learning domain, ready to support the dynamic demands of the modern workplace.

Implementation

The software development for Athena required careful planning and consideration of deployment strategies and overall architecture. A wide variety of technologies were used to target the different technical requirements of the product. For example, a C++ microservice utilizing FFMPEG was used to handle video traffic, whereas regular API traffic is handled by a nodeJS instance.

Additionally, the resulting system supports a wide variety of features, including external content such as SCORM courses and OpenID Connect authentication through HeRMeS SSO. Integration with HeRMeS’s LMS features for assigning courses and managing schedules and individual calendars was done through a proprietary API offered by HeRMeS to its clients.

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Future Plans

Looking ahead, Athena's roadmap is ambitiously set to enhance and expand its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our users. A key focus will be the introduction of more advanced testing capabilities, leveraging innovative assessment technologies to provide a broader range of testing formats. This includes adaptive testing, which adjusts the difficulty level based on the learner's performance, and more interactive types of assessments like simulations and gamified tests. Such advancements aim to offer a more personalized and engaging learning experience, allowing for a deeper understanding and retention of course material.

In addition to refining our testing suite, we plan to introduce live lesson functionality, bridging the gap between traditional classroom settings and digital learning environments. This feature will support real-time interactions between instructors and learners, offering opportunities for live Q&A sessions, webinars, and interactive workshops. By integrating live lessons into our platform, Athena seeks to foster a more dynamic and collaborative learning atmosphere. Concurrently, we're dedicated to continuous market research and development to expand into new markets, tailoring our offerings to meet the specific demands of diverse sectors. This strategic expansion not only broadens Athena's reach but also reinforces our commitment to delivering a comprehensive, versatile e-learning solution that addresses the varied needs of today's workforce.