KUALA LUMPUR: Selangkah, a contact tracing system that started off by employing a simple QR-code technology celebrates its first anniversary with more app updates as the app continues its efforts to provide convenience when it comes to Covid-19-related tracking and features for its users.
In keeping up with the latest needs, Selangkah added a new feature along with a couple of updates on the app but always with its users in mind, making sure the app retains its human-centric design as it strives to provide the best intuitive experience for the app users.
Featuring a new 'Bubble' feature on the app, a function that allows Selangkah users to check in as a group whenever they enter a premise together. This feature is the result of the app being attentive to its users needs and wants.
"As we progressed through the pandemic, we learned that people would prefer and widely adopt the more convenient option that's offered to them," said Selangkah founder and chief information officer Dr Helmi Zakariah.
Selangkah App users will now be able to set up their Bubble groups and add members. There are three types of Bubbles--Family, where only family members (dependants) are in the bubble; Friends; and Colleagues. Users can extend to include individuals from outside their households in their Bubble, this way, they can have more in-person social interactions while still potentially limiting the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
"We believe Bubble is a midway compromise that can easily be adopted. (Although) it was intended to be a group check-in feature, it was also designed as a cognitive and behaviour modification tool.
"It doesn't mean that you should go out and resume contact with everyone you know, but rather you commit to only hanging out with certain individuals. People can have their social connections in moderation, while the nation can have an economy that remains in motion," added Dr Helmi.
Apart from group check-ins, the Bubble feature can also be used throughout the Selangkah ecosystem including for group appointment for RTK/PCR screening test, home quarantine monitoring, and vaccination appointments.
The second phase of Bubble feature roll-out will be powered by advanced analytics to measure personal and group behavioural exposure to Covid-19, aimed to prepare the nation for a long-haul and sustainable strategy.
BETTER USER EXPERIENCE
With the latest major app update, users will find that the Home, Scan, and Profile screens each have had a facelift with new icons that are now categorised.
The announcement panels at the top of the home screen are now clickable and have been enhanced to be more suitable for commercial promotions. Other updates on the home screen include a special WhatsApp button where users can now chat with the Selangkah customer support team for assistance; and a button to access Selangkah Vax, where employers can enrol their workforce for Selangor's Covid-19 vaccination programme.
As for the Affected Premises Map function, Selangkah has replaced it with an AI-powered Forecasting Map (AfMAP) to give people an improved and eagle-eye view of their surrounding risks as well as prediction on emerging clusters, which will help users to be more vigilant.
SOLVING TECHNOLOGY CONFLICTS
Aside from the app upgrades, Selangkah has good news for those who couldn't enjoy its full app features due to phone or platform incompatibility (such as some Huawei and Redmi models), or because of coronavirus-related app restrictions imposed by Apple for iOS.
As a remedy, Selangkah developed an alternative Progressive Web App (PWA), an exact replica of the Selangkah App in terms of functionality and appearance. But, instead of having to download the app, users can access the PWA via web browser on any mobile devices. All they have to do is visit app.selangkah.my/pwa and log in as usual.
From the web browser, users can create a shortcut to the Selangkah PWA and an icon will appear on their devices just like when a new mobile app is downloaded.
"We think it is important that the Selangkah experience can be enjoyed by many, across different mobile ecosystems without the hassle, (and) PWA is our answer to that so that no one will be left behind," said Selangkah product development head, Mellwvn Chew.