Following on the main challenge of this project, EBS had to decide if adapting each of the websites to a mobile-ready design would be sustainable, either a mobile app would suffice. Following on a dedicated user pool, the audience decided in favour of a mobile app, rather than mobile versions of their favourite media outlets. Considering the volume of work required for each website, the challenge became even greater, since building a native Android/iOS version for each media outlet would not be as sustainable as expected.
The only viable solution would be a white-label solution for all of the media outlets, that would require minimum maintenance and deployment efforts. After investigating a bit deeper, EBS found out that each outlet was running a WordPress instance on their end, which would aid the White-Label approach. The team built a universal API and a WordPress extension that would allow media outlets to deploy a mobile app for their website in a matter of days.
As a result, within 2 weeks from delivering the white-label solution, 4 media outlets deployed their own mobile apps on both Android and iOS. The solution proved to be sustainable for all stakeholders, with a cost per deployment of as minimum as 200$ per outlet. The white-label solution is available exclusively for API stakeholders and serves over 20000 media consumers on a daily basis. “We did not expect such an impact, especially with the project’s overall cost. Yet again, we’re positively overwhelmed by EBS Integrator’s professionalism and dedication to their craft. We never imagined that one of our outlets can get an app that easily – yet this seems possible. I can say only one thing: we’re definitely coming back for more.” – stated Mr. Petru Macovei, president of the Association of Independent Press.