Virtual Webstore with 3D Model Viewer

Client

A supplier of retail solutions from Australia. The company created innovative solutions for various retail product groups (general merchandise, apparel, household appliances, grocery, consumer electronics, etc.). The Client’s products are utilized globally.

Challenge

Nowadays, information technologies are deeper and deeper integrating into our lives. Millions of people use the internet for shopping. Information technologies make shopping much faster and more convenient. However, in general, internet stores look similar to each other. The Client decided to bring the fun part of real shopping back, when you’re walking through the store, looking at shelves, and finding what you need, by introducing Virtual Store — a 3D online shop. The application enables users to walk around shop shelves in the virtual space, which is an innovative approach to online shopping. However, there was a problem that the Client had product vision only, with no clear requirements for the final product. Therefore, ScienceSoft’s task was not only to code the Client’s solution, but also to create it first.

Solution

It was decided to adopt ScienceSoft's e-commerce development competencies for this project. 2 specialists were assigned to the project at the Analysis and Planning stage: a business analyst (to clarify the Client’s requirements and create a functional specification document) and a system architect (to investigate possible solutions, create a prototype and the technical design). Various approaches were investigated during this stage (e.g., Silverlight, Flash, etc.). Finally, it was decided that Virtual Store would be an online-enabled standalone Windows application (using .NET Framework 3.0, WPF for visualization and data processing of XAML information generated on the server). Virtual Store would communicate with the Application Server, storing shopping data. This system would be integrated with the Client’s data processing system.

Results

ScienceSoft created 3D online shop, covering all necessary functionality. A user is enabled to move in the virtual shop, browse and zoom in on any product they like. Detailed information on chosen product is available by clicking on selected item. To implement this system, ScienceSoft assigned a team of 13 people. As a result, the product was developed on time and with high-quality deliverables. Currently, ScienceSoft is carrying out the support of the 1st version of the product and, in parallel, the development of the 2nd version.

Technologies and Tools

Virtual Store application: .NET Framework 3.0, WPF, WCF

Server: IIS 6.0, .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, ASP.NET 2.0, XML Web Services, XAML generation, WCF