Sindibad Messenger
Empowering community engagement with a tailored messenger solution.
Services Used
Product & Service Design, PoC Development, Quality Assurance & Testing, Infrastructure Advisory, Maintenance & Support
Industry
Telecommunications
[ ABOUT THE CLIENT ]
Customer
The customer is an international company established in the 1980s, specializing in providing industry-leading communications solutions and business services to customers in America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The company tasked QatSol with building a tailored messaging solution to facilitate its market entry into the Middle East.
[ off-the-shelf messaging app ]
Challenge
When the client approached QatSol, they presented us with a unique challenge: to develop a highly secure messaging app tailored to the growing Muslim population. This project required not only the latest advancements in data encryption and profound multiplatform application development expertise but also the integration of features that align with Islamic values and practices.
The client shared their vision for a comprehensive messenger app that would serve as more than just a communication tool. They envisioned an app that would enhance community engagement and provide valuable religious content and services. Key features include live captioning and synchronous translation of Imam speeches, an AI-powered user-generated content (UGC) filter, an interactive Quran, live updates from the nearest mosque, and several other distinct functionalities.
At the core of this project was the need for robust security. With the increasing concerns around data privacy, QatSol leveraged state-of-the-art encryption technologies to ensure that all communications within the app were secure and private. We implemented end-to-end encryption and advanced security protocols to protect user data from potential threats.
[ Team ]
It took 24 QatSolers to develop the messenger from scratch
1
Project Manager
Orchestrated seamless communication and ensured timely project milestones
2
Product Managers
Led the project, ensuring alignment with client goals, overseeing product development, and managing stakeholder expectations
2
Business Analysts
Gathered requirements and aligned the solution with the client’s vision
2
Frontend Developers
Implemented responsive designs and interactive features for both Android and iOS platforms
5
Backend Developers
Engineered a scalable and secure infrastructure using Ejabberd, MQTT broker, and SIP gateway
3
QA Engineers
Conducted rigorous testing across multiple devices and environments to ensure app reliability
2
Security Specialists
Implemented state-of-the-art encryption protocols to safeguard user data
2
UX/UI Designers
Crafted intuitive interfaces reflecting Islamic values and community needs
2
DevOps Engineers
Managed deployment and ensured smooth scaling of server architecture
1
Client Relations Manager
Acted as the main liaison, facilitating continuous feedback and client satisfaction
[WE HIRE THE BEST TALENT]
Industry-leading tech stack
With over 500 developers, expert engineers, and cutting-edge tools, QatSol is fully equipped to help you design scalable architectures, implement robust development pipelines, create custom automation solutions, and achieve your technology goals.
[ Sindibad messenger ]
Solution
The development of this app was a collaborative effort between QatSol and the client. Regular feedback sessions ensured that the app met all specifications and expectations. Our team worked diligently to incorporate the client’s vision while adhering to the highest standards of software development and security.
By understanding the unique needs of the client and the target audience, we were able to develop an app that stands out in both functionality and security, aligning perfectly with the values and practices of the Muslim community.
[ HOW WE DEVELOP ]
Process
01
Discovery and Planning
We initiated comprehensive consultations to grasp the client’s specific needs, focusing on delivering a secure and culturally sensitive messaging platform. We gathered requirements, and a detailed project plan was crafted to guide the development phases.
02
Technology Selection
Choosing Ejabberd, MQTT broker, and SIP gateway ensured robust real-time messaging capabilities while adhering to stringent security standards. TLS 1.2 encryption was employed to safeguard user communications.
03
Design and Development
Our UI/UX designers created bespoke interfaces, integrating features like live captioning and AI-driven content filtering aligned with Islamic values. Concurrently, our development team engineered the back-end and front-end to seamlessly integrate these features.
04
Testing and Quality Assurance
Comprehensive testing methodologies were employed throughout the development cycle to guarantee the app’s functionality, security, and performance under various conditions. Automated testing tools complemented manual testing efforts to ensure a flawless user experience.
05
Deployment and Support
The Sindibad Messenger app was deployed on scalable AWS infrastructure, ensuring reliability and responsiveness across diverse user bases. Ongoing maintenance and support services were provided to address evolving user needs and maintain high operational standards.
[ a comprehensive communications solution ]
Features
Core features
- Push notifications
- Unique design (individual bubbles for the presentation of single and group chats) + new themes
- Unique structure of chats in single and group chats with topics
- Quick response without opening the app
- Listening to voice and audio messages from the push notification
- Messenger widget for launcher Audio & Video calling
- End-to-end encryption (E2E encryption) in single and group chats
- Birthday Reminder function
- Notification as soon as one of your contacts installs the Messenger
- Message to all messenger users from Qatar Messenger as a company
- Successfully completed penetration test by SySS GmbH
- Role differentiation in group chats (external-, normal participants, administrator)
- Unique Stickers/Emojis + Stickershop Hashtag feature for highlighting messages
Network
- Strong protection
- End-to-end encryption Perimeter protection Extra encryption key Anti-fraud tuning
- Elastic scalable
- Automatically add machines for new users
- Almost endless media storage for photos, audio, and video
- Autoscaling external entering nodes in all main geographical regions
- Wide and stable channels to all branch data centers, no jitter, no interrupts Strong-encrypted communication channels between data centers, no data leak
- Fault-tolerant server software placed on Linux/BSD servers
- Full channel reservations, external and internal dynamic path routing to avoid communication troubles
Homescreen features
- Create single chat, group chat, or broadcast
- When creating chats, a random chat colour is assigned
- Create topics (single chat & group chat)
- When creating a topic you can choose a colour from 8 available colours
- Algorithm for creating the abbreviations of the topic names
- Notification of unread messages in all chats
- Automatic sorting of chats according to the latest received messages
- Mute the main chat or individual topics
- Pin up to 3 chats, which are continuously displayed as the first chats
- Chat backup feature
- The search function (words in contacts, messages, chats and topics)
- Sorting chats for single and group chats
- Call history by swiping to the right
- Unread messages by swiping to the left (including message preview)
- Different functions at Long Tap on single & group chats and topics
Contacts
- Contact search
- Sort the names by letters
- Invite-friend function (Via SMS including notification of costs and app)
- Calls from the contact list
- Profile picture of the contact is displayed Status of the contact is displayed
- The last online status is also displayed in the contacts Pay for friends function (subscription model)
- Tap on contact to see profile info
Single chat screen
- Call
- Show “now writing“ and “last time online“ status
- Navigate between topics by swiping left or right or clicking on the topic name
- Message information: Sent, received, read
- Menu-settings
- Tap on contact to see different profile information
- Long tap on message
- Record voice messages
- Direct camera access (including a preview of the last images)
- When sending links, a preview is generated Keyboard with auto-correction
- Emoticons and stickers (including the last sent emoticons and stickers)
- Gallery
- Notification when reinstalling Sindibad Messenger about modified verification key
- Insertion function
Group chat
- Group participants are assigned a color which is the same in all topics
- When creating a topic, participants in the main group can be excluded
- Invite external participants to a topic
- Mention function “@ User”
- Notification of mentions in group chats Sorting media files (by date and albums)
- Deleting the group or individual topics notifies all participants if they want to back up or delete the chat history
- Notifications in chat (new participants, participants removed, new admin, admin rights removed, group image changed, group name changed etc.)
- Poll function
More features
- Audio and video calling
- Profile
- Hashtags (menu)
- Polls (menu)
- Design (menu)
- Security (menu)
- The ‘Do not disturb’ function
- Notifications
- Media & storage
- Network information
[ value-driven ]
Results
Since its launch, Sindibad Messenger has significantly impacted communication within the Muslim community, offering a secure and culturally sensitive platform that goes beyond standard messaging apps in the MENA region. Here’s how Sindibad Messenger has delivered tangible value:
Enhanced Community Engagement
Sindibad Messenger has facilitated deeper community engagement through features like live captioning of Imam speeches, AI-powered content filtering based on Islamic values, and real-time updates from local mosques. These functionalities have fostered a stronger sense of community among users.
Robust Security and Privacy
Leveraging state-of-the-art encryption technologies, including end-to-end encryption and advanced security protocols, Sindibad Messenger ensures the confidentiality and privacy of user communications. This has enhanced trust and reliability among users concerned about data privacy.
Cultural Relevance and User Satisfaction
By integrating features that resonate with Islamic practices and values, such as an interactive Quran and themed user interfaces, Sindibad Messenger has catered effectively to its target demographic. User feedback has indicated high satisfaction with the app’s alignment with their cultural and religious needs.
Scalability and Performance
Deployed on AWS infrastructure, Sindibad Messenger boasts scalable architecture that accommodates growing user bases without compromising performance. This scalability ensures seamless user experiences across diverse geographical regions.
Impact on User Interaction
Sindibad Messenger has transformed how users interact within the app through features like role differentiation in group chats, multimedia messaging capabilities, and a user-friendly interface design. These enhancements have led to increased user engagement and satisfaction.
Adherence to Regulatory Standards
Compliance with stringent data protection regulations and continuous updates to security measures have positioned Sindibad Messenger as a secure and trusted platform within the messaging app landscape.
[ TECH STACK ]