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By Emily Handrahan, West Virginia University
Thanks to an app created by Jeremy Blinker, a Pittsburgh native and student in West Virginia University’s online Master of Science in Software Engineering program, customers are clamoring for ice cream.
Bliner earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in 2023. Today he works as a software developer for the US Navy and lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with his partner, the owner of Flo’s Premium Ice Cream Shop.
“Even when I graduated from WVU, I felt like I wasn’t finished there,” Bliner said. “I really liked what I was doing in terms of professional software development. So when I found out about the online MSSE program, I thought it would be a perfect fit for me. My roots are in WVU, and there is loyalty and pride there.”
Bliner originally chose WVU because it was close to home, yet far enough away that he felt he could get the real college experience.
“During my tour, I was drawn to the campus and appreciated its vibrancy,” Bliner said. “I knew whatever I wanted to do, I could do it there.”
Bliner fondly remembers his time on the Evansdale campus, particularly visiting Little Donkey at Evansdale Crossing. He also remembers the late-night computer science labs he enjoyed for their mix of challenge, creativity and fulfillment.
Since leaving West Virginia, Bliner has enjoyed his time in Florida by either visiting the beach, spending time with his family and dog, or taking a day trip to Disney World.
For years, Bliner said, he wanted to develop an app to help Flo’s Premium Ice Cream succeed.
“When I took a course in mobile app development, I finally gained the basic skills to achieve this,” he said.
Instead of viewing the app as an academic assignment, Bliner viewed it as a real technical product.
Using the industry-standard tools he learned through MSSE, Bliner handled the app’s early design and modeling, developing it for use on multiple platforms and integrating data management and security features.
At first, he said, he envisioned the app as a digital extension of the store’s physical location, offering a menu and hours of operation.
“Then I realized it had to be a real business solution,” Bliner said.
To secure approval for the Apple App Store, he developed new features, including a QR code-based reward system and a notification feature, which he now sees as an important bridge between the store and its community.
“Now there is a central place for communication about, for example, early closures or new promotions,” said Bliner. “I’m really proud that it made it to the final production version.”
The MSSE program trained Bliner in the software development lifecycle and how to turn an idea into a product.
“I didn’t realize how many of the skills I learned in the program stuck with me until I actually applied them to something real,” he said.
The balance between functionality and privacy has always been a priority for Bliner.
“I didn’t want to create an app that collects so much personal data about its user. Nobody likes apps that unnecessarily track our locations and usage, so I wanted to create something that didn’t even require user credentials.”
The development process required rigorous testing – with Bliner’s family and friends being the main critics.
“My partner was my beta tester,” he said. “I installed a new trial version and then sat and watched like a hawk as he interacted with it.”
For Bliner, observing user interaction in real time was an essential part of the process.
“When I originally designed the menu cards, I made them springy just to make the app a little more playful,” he said.
“But the second I presented it to users, they tapped it and asked, ‘Why doesn’t this do anything?’ I realized my intention wasn’t coming across, so I fixed it.”
While the app is now live, Bliner plans to continue developing the platform. The DoorDash integration is the next step, he said.
“The WVU MSSE program has been eye-opening,” he said. “I can’t believe my abilities compared to what I brought here,” Bliner said.
Bliner has already achieved success with his app and plans to continue promoting it across social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram.
“The user base is growing,” Blinker said. “It’s still small at 30 downloads according to App Store Connect, but I can say that customers are using the rewards system and there are already two 5-star reviews of the application in the Apple App Store.”
As the app grows, Bliner hopes to expand this application to Android devices. This requires some minor changes to ensure the app can be made available on Google Play, such as: B. Incorporating an internal closed-loop testing cycle for two weeks.
“I definitely see a future in mobile app development,” Bliner said. “Whether this is a personal hobby or something that turns into a job or entrepreneurial activity is still unknown for me, but I don’t want to give up these skills so easily.”
“I would like to develop more apps for small businesses,” Bliner said. “It was really rewarding for me to get the feedback that the reward system is being used and that people I’ve never met before are using something I created and seeing value in it.”
https://www.mybuckhannon.com/scoop-there-it-is-wvu-software-engineering-student-turns-a-mobile-app-assignment-into-sweet-success/
