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Implementing Voice-Based Applications for eBillity
Time Tracker by eBillity is a time tracking software designed for teams. It allows users to capture and approve time entries from employees and contractors for easy payroll and client invoicing. Time Tracker also provides multiple channels and apps, such as a web-based application, mobile app and outlook integration.
eBillity engaged Version 1 as a trusted development partner due to the company’s high calibre of resources with proven experience in Alexa Skill development and its delivery track record. Consultants with expertise in implementing voice-based applications, AWS Lambda, AWS API Gateway, Alexa and NodeJS worked to ensure the success of this project.
Client Profile
eBillity
Established:
2008
Client Since:
2018
Employees:
25
Industry:
Computer Software
We wanted to make the process even simpler and easy to use. We decided to launch support for voice-activated personal assistant – Amazon Alexa. In the past six years, the digital personal assistants market has evolved at a remarkably rapid pace. Voice commands are no longer an alternative, gimmicky way to use a smartphone but a function users actively seek in their devices; recent research from GFK showed that 76% of consumers in the US have used voice commands on a digital device.
- Morris Sutton, Technical Product Manager at eBillity
Work Delivered
Version 1 specialists analysed the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) provided by eBillity and recommended improvements to them in order to implement the voice-based applications. Version 1 then developed microservices which are solely responsible for consuming data from the eBillity APIs, applying transformations on the data structure. They then designed and implemented the Alexa Skill which interact with the user via voice, and with the microservices.
Users link their device with the eBillity account only once, and they can then create the time entries just by saying a sentence, e.g. ‘ Alexa, ask Time Tracker to create a new time entry for Target for eight hours’, ” continues Morris Sutton. “The process literally takes about ten seconds, and no more excuses for not submitting timesheets on time”.
Results
Version 1 delivered the entire project on time and to budget due mainly to the quality of the engagement with the company throughout the implementation. Version 1’s analytical skills were also matched by their technical competencies. We are very happy with how it has gone and look forward to a lasting working relationship.
The next phase for this project is to expand what the user can do using voice and enabling new channels such as Google Home, chatbots, Cortana or other personal assistants.
