The Sentry

App Name: The Sentry
The Sentry is a Personal Safety and Check-in App that bridges home and work life by connecting users with their nearby and trusted support network.

• Android
• Apple
  

Problem Identification & Inspiration

Initially, The Sentry was conceived to tackle the growing problem of mobile phone theft, leading to the development of a now-patented hardware solution. During this innovation process, the concept for The Sentry App emerged as a valuable by-product. Recognising broader safety concerns, the app was designed to help users Go Safely™ by providing an intuitive safety network.

The team identified that existing safety apps were lacking in immediacy and user trust. Emergency response times via call centres and police services were slow, and many apps tracking user locations raised privacy concerns. Users disliked being constantly monitored by employers or parents and were wary of having their data harvested and sold.

To address these issues, The Sentry features one-touch home screen Panic buttons that instantly alert nearby trusted contacts. Users have full control over when and how long they share their location when checking in. Importantly, the app does not harvest or sell user data, ensuring complete privacy and user trust.

Development Process

The development of The Sentry involved several key stages to ensure a user-friendly and effective product:

• User Research: Conducted surveys and interviews to understand user safety concerns and preferences.
• Wireframing and Prototyping: Designed intuitive user flows and interfaces to simplify the emergency response process.
• User Journey Mapping: Mapped out how users interact with the app from onboarding to emergency scenarios to ensure seamless functionality.
• Iterative Development: Implemented a phased development approach, continuously refining features based on feedback.
• Rigorous Testing: Deployed early versions for nationwide testing, gathering valuable insights to enhance performance and usability.

Experience with Innovate

The collaboration with Innovate was highly positive. The project evolved beyond initial expectations, but Innovate's technical expertise and adaptive approach ensured objectives were met. Innovate guided the project through crucial stages, from initial wireframes to final deployment, demonstrating exceptional technical skill and problem-solving ability. The team appreciated Innovate's flexibility and the proactive integration of additional features during development.

Project Highlights

• Patent Granted: Securing the patent for the original hardware solution.
• Nationwide Testing: Positive feedback from early test versions across the UK.
• Store Availability: Launching on both Apple and Android platforms.
• First Sale: Celebrating the first commercial success.
• User Feedback: Receiving exceptional feedback on the app’s simplicity and polished design.

Future Plans

The Sentry team is actively developing new features to enhance the app's utility as a comprehensive personal safety tool. Upcoming "get me out of trouble" add-ons will further support user safety. The vision includes widespread adoption in community service sectors such as mental health charities, schools, universities, and the broader business community, empowering staff to Go Safely™.

Testimonial

"The team at Innovate have exhibited a very rare set of qualities throughout our project. I have enjoyed their flexibility, reliability, ingenuity in bucket loads, and a very real sense of pride in their skill and workmanship. Special thanks to Nick and Alex ."