LineApp

Ever stand in a long line and think "damn, this would be more efficient with an app"? We have! This app lets businesses have virtual queues where clients save a spot and come back when there is space.

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Inspiration

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all too familiar with lines. Last winter, one of our members was in reqlly a line outside the Nike Edmonton South Common store, where there were so many empty shops around, but they didn't want to lose their spot. This is where LineApp comes in.

Realistically, how COVID-safe is a queue anyway? You have a bunch of people in the same area for long periods of time, and that's even worse when it's indoors.

What it does

Businesses can register with LineApp and start forming virtual lines. A business gets a unique story ID that clients can navigate to line up. Clients can also scan a QR Code to got to that link.

The client inputs their name and optionally their phone number to join the line. They are then directed to a page where they can see their spot in line, the estimated waiting time, and even push back their spot in case they can't make it in time.

The business dashboard showcases the current number of people in the store, the number of people in line, and allows them to decrement the count when a customer leaves, or admit someone from the line (or anonymously!).

How we built it

We build the front-end using React, the database using MongoDB, and the backend using Express.

Challenges we ran into

  • Styling all those components (there were a lot!)
  • Adjusting the web app to desktop and mobile users
  • Deployment (heroku >:[)
  • Finishing in time!

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • It. Looks. So. Good!
  • We were able to deliver the MVP
  • Would definitely use this next time I'm in the Nike line

What we learned

  • Start early
  • Focus on the important stuff now. Leave the "it would be cool if we..." for the next iteration.

What's next for LineApp

  • Use predictive models to determine the least / most busy times for a store
  • Add geolocating functionality to see which nearby stores have shorter queues
  • Expand the domain by adding more cybersecurity
    • Be able to line up to see your physician -- but you can actually tell how long it will take
  • Allow a business to have priority queues!
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