The University of Liverpool has won an international design award for its PC Finder web app, which helps students quickly find available PCs on campus using their smartphone.
The new app was awarded first prize in the enterprise mobility category of the 2014 Intranet Innovations Awards, which recognises best practice in digital services for internal use within organisations.
Designed by Computing Services in response to student feedback that it was difficult to find available PC’s during peak times on campus, such as exams, the app uses a GPS location service on mobile devices to show PC availability in centres close by, and includes a built-in map system which directs students to the PC centre from their current location. If the tool is used on a mobile or PC which has no GPS or the GPS location information is disabled, the centres are listed alphabetically.
Judge Martin White from organisers Step Two Designs described the app as ‘A great example of an app dedicated to solving one problem really well. It helps the University of Liverpool get more from its existing assets, and being mobile is well geared to the user base and usage context.”
Winners in other categories included PWC, Deloitte and Johnson & Johnson. Previous winners include Coca Cola, Arup and UK Houses of Parliament.
Paul Hagan, part of the project team from Computing Services Department said; “ The event showcased those at the very forefront of mobile and digital technology so we were delighted that the PC Finder app was recognised at the awards. We’re planning on further enhancing the app by adding features that enable students to filter PC centres based on additional requirements, including whether or not the centre has a colour printer, or particular software pre-installed.”
To try the free app visit: http://pcseats.liv.ac.uk