Open Source Digital Signage Application

Background

At HighFlyer, accelerating the pace of quality software development remains a top priority. Utilising the open-source, low-code web framework Frappe, with its robust architecture and rich ecosystem, has significantly enhanced our efficiency. The framework’s support for rapid development using pre-built modules and ease of customisation has been instrumental in producing ready-to-deploy solutions across various business scenarios.

The Challenge

Our journey with the Frappe framework began with a project that was not initially developed using Frappe but sparked the idea for further exploration. This project involved creating a digital signage display application for a client, which, although successful, highlighted areas where development could be streamlined.

The proposed digital signage display application needed to address several key requirements:

1. User-friendliness, requiring minimal setup time for users without prior experience with the Frappe framework
2. Extensive customisation options to cater to diverse business needs
3. Differentiated access for guests and logged-in users
4. Lightweight design suitable for deployment on Single Board Computers (SBCs)
5. Avoiding the complexities of developing base features such as database management and user authentication

The Solution by HighFlyer

Inspired by our previous experience, we aimed to contribute to the Frappe community by developing a comprehensive digital signage application for the Frappe Marketplace that would address all the identified challenges.

Leveraging Frappe Framework

Choosing Frappe as the development platform allowed us to bypass the initial hurdles of setting up foundational features. Frappe inherently supports:

• Database Management: Seamless handling of database operations without manual setup.
• User Authentication and Access Control: Built-in functionalities that simplify user management and secure access.
• Custom Form Building: Capability to handle complex data types and use the platform as a Content Management System (CMS), which was particularly useful for designing customizable signages.

Application Development

The development process focused solely on the unique aspects of the Digital Signage Display application, leveraging Frappe’s capabilities to enhance productivity and reduce time-to-market. We implemented:

1. Intuitive User Interface: A clean, straightforward interface that allows users to create and manage digital signage content without technical expertise.

2. Customization Options: Extensive options for customizing the appearance, content, and behavior of digital signage displays to suit various business contexts.

3. Role-Based Access: Different levels of access and functionality for guests and authenticated users, ensuring appropriate content management and security.

4. Optimization for SBCs: Performance optimizations to ensure the application runs smoothly on resource-constrained Single Board Computers, making it an affordable solution for businesses of all sizes.

The Impact

The Digital Signage Display application has had several positive impacts:

1. Community Contribution: By making the application available on the Frappe Marketplace, we’ve contributed a valuable tool to the open-source community.

2. Simplified Digital Signage: Businesses can now implement digital signage solutions without extensive technical knowledge or significant investment.

3. Showcase of Low-Code Development: The project demonstrates how low-code platforms like Frappe can accelerate development while maintaining quality and customizability.

4. Enhanced HighFlyer Expertise: The project further strengthened our team’s expertise in leveraging low-code platforms for efficient application development.

Conclusion

The Digital Signage Display app exemplifies how HighFlyer leverages innovative tools like the Frappe framework to streamline software development, demonstrating our commitment to efficiency and quality. Our work with Frappe not only speeds up our development processes but also contributes to a growing community of developers and users who benefit from shared knowledge and resources.

This case study highlights our approach to software development: identifying opportunities for improvement, leveraging appropriate technologies, and sharing our solutions with the broader community. By contributing to the open-source ecosystem, we not only enhance our own capabilities but also help advance the field of software development as a whole.