Background

With its app, the Hamburg-based startup Plan3t launched the first reward system for sustainable consumption that supports its users on their way to a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. In order to launch the beta version in spring 2021, cc.systems was enlisted for support early on. Together, the app and backend were to be expanded.

Challenges

In order to be able to continually provide users with new content, a dynamic feed should be implemented. As a central feature of the app, the user should have the option to link their personal bank account. The app then associates each transaction with a CO² equivalent, so that users automatically get an overview of the emissions generated by their consumption. Based on this, environmentally friendly alternatives should be suggested to users and rewards for purchases at partner companies should be awarded in the form of automatic cashback. An Open Banking integration was therefore required, which needed to connect bank data with Plan3t user data and function smoothly with many different banks. In addition, managing user data, partner data, and reward programs needed to be done in a web back office, which also needed to be regularly updated with new functionality.

Implementation

cc.systems was heavily involved in implementing many of the major components in the system:

• For the implementation of the dynamic feed, infinite scrolling was implemented in the app. For this, the backend was adapted to handle paginated requests as well.

• To connect bank accounts, we used the state-of-the-art Open Banking provider Tink. Due to the complexity of bank data and the nuances of integrating different banks, it was very important to delve into the Tink API in great detail.

• In close collaboration with Plan3t's designer, the app was transferred to a new modern design. For this, large parts of the app were completely rebuilt.

We really enjoyed working with Plan3t and look forward to further collaboration. The app has been available in both the Play Store and the App Store since mid-2021.