Apply4 Ruby on Rails platform
Apply4 is the world's largest application for booking films and events, providing permits to TV and film production companies on behalf of local governments while managing community impact. Briefly, after the success of their primary product, filmapp.org, Apply4 faced challenges related to growth. Having relied on various agencies for their initial product, the company aimed to enhance the application and build a long-term partnership with a digital provider to expand their international presence. The goal was to preserve the existing software, filmapp.org, while completely revamping the system into an intuitive app that could be easily marketed and utilized by clients globally.
Solution: Our first minimum viable product (MVP) was a Ruby on Rails-based app designed to manage road closures in Atlanta. We developed this product in just four weeks in 2015, and it continues to operate today, handling thousands of applications annually. Once validated, we used this initial project as a foundation to plan future developments, taking into account workflows, user narratives, and enhanced features to ensure scalability and a smooth customer experience. Adopting an agile framework, we work in sprints to consistently maintain and improve the Apply4 platform’s functionality and user experience. A dedicated team of three developers from Secret Source, along with a project manager, is supported by additional experts in UI and UX when needed.
Impact: Apply4 has become a vital component of civic planning and management in film-friendly areas across over 20 cities in the UK and the USA. Many boroughs in London and cities such as Manchester, Cardiff, and Liverpool now utilize the system. In the United States, early adopters like Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Atlanta have embraced it. Notable productions that have used the platform include Harry Potter, James Bond, Hunger Games, Paddington Bear, and The Walking Dead.