Challenges: How to Transform ITB’s Academic Information System for Seamless Accessibility?
Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), a prestigious state university in Bandung, Indonesia, is committed to advancing education, research, and the development of science, technology, and the arts. Known for its world-class academic achievements and contributions, particularly in the Asian region, ITB strives to provide an enriching educational experience that balances academic excellence with social and human values. To further support its academic community, ITB wants to enhance its digital infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of students and lecturers.
Currently, ITB's Academic Information System is limited to a web-based platform, which restricts convenience for its academic community. This limitation can lead to inefficiencies in retrieving critical information such as lecture schedules, attendance, grade transcripts, and tuition payment statuses. Without transitioning to a mobile application, ITB risks diminishing the user experience and potentially hindering the productivity of students and lecturers. Additionally, delays in receiving academic notifications could negatively impact timely decision-making and engagement.
The primary goal of this project is to develop a mobile application version of ITB's academic information system to enhance user accessibility. This application will provide students with seamless access to academic-related information anytime, anywhere and deliver timely and accurate notifications regarding academic matters to improve responsiveness and engagement. By achieving these objectives, ITB aims to elevate the comfort and convenience of its academic community, aligning with its mission to be a leading institution in the region.
Solutions: Empowering ITB’s Academic Community with MySIX Mobile Application
To address ITB's need for a mobile version of its academic information system, Suitmedia proposed a strategy centered on seamless integration and user-centric design. The mobile application, named MySIX, will be fully integrated with ITB’s existing web platform, ensuring continuity and consistency in user experience. The app is designed to simplify access to critical academic information, such as class schedules, lecture notifications, payment updates, and more. By incorporating a mobile-first approach, the app aims to enhance accessibility, convenience, and engagement for students and ITB's internal stakeholders.
During the implementation phase, Suitmedia conducted UX research to identify the needs of mobile application users, particularly students and other stakeholders. Based on these insights, the features and functionalities of the mobile application were carefully outlined, followed by designing an intuitive and user-friendly interface tailored to enhance the user experience.
The MySIX Mobile application stands out due to its user-centered design approach, developed through comprehensive UX research utilizing focus group discussion (FGD) and qualitative methods. This ensured the app's UI/UX aligns perfectly with the needs and preferences of its target audience, providing an intuitive and accessible experience. Additionally, the system is seamlessly integrated with ITB's existing web and internal systems, creating a unified platform for managing academic information. Key functionalities, such as real-time access to lecture payments, installment details, and scholarship statuses, further enhance the app's value by streamlining critical processes for students. This integration and tailored design make the application a transformative tool for ITB's academic community.
Results: MySIX Mobile Achieves Rapid Growth to Enhance ITB’s Academic Experience
The MySix Mobile application has demonstrated measurable success since its launch. Within the first three months, downloads showed steady growth:
- Android: December 2023: 3,092 | January 2024: 4,903 | February 2024: 3,827
- iOS: December 2023: 2,204 | January 2024: 3,063 | February 2024: 2,478.
As of November 2024, the application has reached a total of approximately 15,080 downloads, with 37,000 active users. These metrics highlight the app’s significant adoption and its effectiveness in supporting ITB students with their academic and administrative needs.
ITB also expressed satisfaction with the solutions provided by Suitmedia, emphasizing the improved accessibility offered by transitioning their academic information system to a mobile platform. After thoroughly tender process comparing various vendors, ITB selected Suitmedia based on its relevant portfolio and ability to address their specific needs. "Suitmedia’s responsive approach and well-designed UI/UX significantly enhanced our academic platform," said ITB representatives, further commending Suitmedia’s collaborative efforts during feature development discussions.
The MySIX Mobile application has had a positive impact on ITB's academic processes, providing seamless access. ITB acknowledged that the app has greatly supported their community’s learning and administrative activities. As a testament to the project’s success, ITB recommends Suitmedia for future internal initiatives and endorses its services to other organizations.
