Spaces – Serving New Customer Groups with WiFi and a Pay-per-use App

Spaces rents flexible workplaces, offices and meeting rooms in an inspiring environment. What started in the Netherlands has grown into a global network with locations in over 25 countries. It's a fast-growing, energetic place where both creative freelancers and major corporates like Uber find their professional home.

A growing group of Spaces customers wanted to pay based on actual usage (duration) rather than a fixed monthly fee. Spaces asked Cobra Systems for help with the question: how can we best facilitate and track this flexible usage digitally and user-friendly?

We approached this project not from technology but primarily from business need and end-user perspective. Based on personas and desired user journey, we mapped the possibilities.

Strategic Advising: We advised Spaces to develop a dedicated mobile app to facilitate this new business model.

Proof of Concept (PoC): To eliminate risks, we first tested a Bluetooth and iBeacon prototype at Spaces Zuidas. Valuable user tests showed fraud risk was too high and many users had Bluetooth disabled.

Development & Design: The app was then successfully developed using GPS technology for safe, reliable day booking. Cobra Systems provided strategic guidance, UX and visual design, and complete technical app architecture.

The result of this innovative project is the Spaces Company Membership App. A sleek, well-functioning application where Company Members can easily book workdays.

The moment a user checks in via the app for a workday, they automatically and seamlessly gain access to the fast WiFi network and office facilities. At month's end, the company receives a consolidated invoice for days actually used. Thanks to thorough prototype testing, we avoided rollout issues and the final app works significantly better. Spaces successfully onboarded an entirely new customer segment.

"Cobra Systems thinks from the business perspective rather than the technology angle – that works really well. They guided the entire process and built an app that lets us serve a whole new customer group."

— Lieke Otten, Program Manager at Spaces