Streamlined connectivity for Renson’s remote apps

Renson is bringing shading and ventilation solutions into the 21st century. With the seamless integration of their blinds, patio covers, and ventilation systems, users can effortlessly control sunlight and airflow—both indoors and outdoors—with just a few taps on their smartphones. While this may sound simple, the user-friendly mobile app conceals a significant challenge: aligning advanced hardware with existing networks and software. That’s where ACA comes in.

Renson apps: scalable and future-proof

Renson envisioned an app that would allow users not only to control their patio covers but also to manage blinds, lighting, and heating devices. This meant accounting for a variety of scenarios and hardware, each with its own connectivity protocols. The result? The Renson Connect app.

But the innovation didn’t stop there. Soon after, the need arose for a second app, the Sense app, designed for DIY ventilation devices like the Waves, Sense, and Healthbox Go. During the architectural phase, we collaborated with Renson to design a scalable framework focused on future growth, encompassing both backend and mobile applications.

The first version already supported a wide range of devices. Since then, we’ve added new features, such as a dimmable heater in the Connect app and support for the Healthbox Go and the next generation of Sense devices in the Sense app. Integrating these new devices showcased the value of this forward-thinking approach. The devices could leverage existing workflows or easily incorporate additional steps during configuration or usage.

Network detection & connectivity: key to a smooth IoT experience

One of the challenges of working with IoT devices is ensuring connectivity. Not all devices or functionalities are always accessible via the internet; some require a home or local network.

To guarantee consistent functionality, we developed a smart detection mechanism that determines the best possible connection for a device, regardless of varying protocols and network scenarios, such as mesh or enterprise networks. This system ensures the apps work seamlessly, even with fluctuating network performance or hardware gateways. Achieving this was no small feat, but through continuous collaboration and innovation, we refined this mechanism to deliver an optimal user experience.

When air quality really matters

Renson’s motto, Creating healthy spaces, is a guiding principle they take seriously. Sensors in their advanced ventilation systems measure humidity, CO2, and even volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When any of these parameters reach critical levels, the system takes automatic action, increasing ventilation until air quality is restored. While this process is fully automated, users can also manage it directly via the Sense app.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, effective ventilation became more critical than ever. For event spaces, bars, and restaurants, proper ventilation often determined whether they could remain open. While governments imposed strict new regulations, detailed technical guidance was often lacking.

Launching in two weeks? Challenge accepted!

The reality was clear: we needed to adapt the software to measure CO2 levels and integrate this functionality into the Sense app—all within two weeks. This included development, testing, and publication. Despite the tight timeline and the challenges posed by remote work during the pandemic, ACA Group delivered this crucial update on time, ensuring Renson’s customers could meet new requirements seamlessly. 

A sustainable partnership

Today, the Renson Sense system monitors air quality in our own office in Antwerp, demonstrating how our collaboration with Renson not only impacts their customers but also helps us create healthier and more comfortable workspaces.

The close partnership between ACA Group and Renson’s teams has been vital to the success of our projects. A prime example is the necessary migration of the development framework for the Sense app, transitioning from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI. This challenging process required significant effort and patience from all parties involved.

This successful collaboration has resulted in a robust, future-proof application infrastructure and strengthened the bond between ACA Group and Renson. We look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership and developing even more innovative solutions together.

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