Parija Rangnekar – Page 10

Since the introduction of mHealth apps, healthcare organizations have witnessed a sea-change in the way patients relate to doctors. Now the patients have more control over their medical decisions and the overall system has become more patient-centric. Owing to this, a variety of mHealth apps have emerged in the market and a video consultation healthcare app is one such innovation. This app enables the patients and doctors to communicate instantly in case of an emergency or when it is not possible to visit the hospital. The doctors can send ePrescriptions online and provide medical assistance. So, having an Online Medical Consultation App with a video calling facility can always be a lucrative decision for any medical body or even an individual practitioner.

So, today’s topic is about creating a video consultation healthcare app. We will consider the React Native framework for this purpose since React Native development services are a perfect pick for developing native-like cross-platform apps. Also, we will talk about Twilio as a cloud communications platform that is being widely used in video calling apps. Let’s get started with what Twilio is and then the process to create the app.

What is Twilio?

Twilio is an American cloud-based service or cloud communications platform as a service (CPaaS). It acts as a powerful communication tool and bridges the gap between various mobile devices, other systems, services, etc., and telephony. In React Native development, APIs offered by Twilio enable the developers to implement several communication services like making and receiving audio/video phone calls, sending and receiving text messages, etc. These services also include AI bots, emails, etc. In this process, in addition to audio/video calling, other features like account recovery, phone verification, in-app calls or in-app chats, etc. can also be worked upon.

To integrate Twilio into the app, React Native developers will need existing knowledge on Cocoapods, React Native Navigation, React, etc. Twilio

Here are a few top benefits of using Twilio

Twilio is quite easy to learn and so, there are a plethora of developers available.
It follows a standard method of communication: HTTP.
Switching between technologies is also much easier.
Owing to Platforms as a Service (PaaS), capital costs are somewhat lower. Even the deployment costs are lower and they increase gradually as the company grows.

Key Steps for Creating a React Native Healthcare App with Video Consultation using Twilio WebRTC

While using Twilio WebRTC for the healthcare video calling app, a React Native app development company should follow the step-by-step procedure as given below. This procedure is divided into two major parts where the first part is about generating a token using Twilio and the second part talks about installing dependencies using a React Native starter kit. Also, we will consider a React Native Android app for now. So let’s get started with the first part.

Part 1: Token Generation with Twilio

Twilio provides both IOS/Android SDKs and JavaScript. But for React Native, Twilio does not provide any direct support. So, the React Native developers can use the JavaScript SDK for a few services but this isn’t possible for other services, because to a great extent it depends on browser APIs. There is one more alternative and that would be by porting the native Android/IOS SDK to React Native. So here, we have used this combination: Twilio Video (WebRTC) for React Native.

Firstly, create an account on https://www.twilio.com/. Sign-up for a trial and verify your credentials such as phone number, email, etc. You will now be directed to the Dashboard.

You will need an ACCOUNT SID along with an API key and a Secret key for generating a token. For generating an API key, navigate to API keys through the settings. The creation of the API key here will give both the Secret key and the API key. It is now possible to generate a token by using npm install which uses npm package. The tokens can also be generated in multiple languages as well. The identity value should be changed for every token as the same token cannot be used at different places.

There is one more way to create a token by the use of Twilio tools. Click on Twilio tools and write an identity and a room name. This will generate the access token. Securely save these keys for the later part.

The Twilio part of the video consultation healthcare app ends here. Now let us start with the React Native development part.

Part 2: Installing Dependencies using a React Native Starter Kit

Here we will be using React Native starter kit that can be copied from the GitHub link- https://github.com/flatlogic/react-native-starter. You need to run the command- “npm install https://github.com/blackuy/react-native-twilio-video-webrtc –save” in the terminal project directory and then write the required code in App.js file.

Make sure that all the required dependencies are installed by the execution of the command- “npm install” in the project directory. Also, you need to make some configurations for utilizing Twilio and also use audio, camera, etc.

For making the goto Android folder, you should add the following code lines in settings.gradle file-

include ‘:react-native-twilio-video-webrtc’

project (‘:react-native-twilio-video-webrtc’).projectDir = new File (rootProject.projectDir, ‘../node_modules/react-native-twilio-video-webrtc/android’)

Now, go to Android > app > build.gradle file and search for dependencies. After that, add the below-mentioned code in the block.

compile project (‘:react-native-twilio-video-webrtc’)

Also, add the below-mentioned code in Android > app >SRC> main >JAVA> com > reactnativestarter > MainApplication.java

import com.twiliorn.library.TwilioPackage;

After this, replace the getPackages() method with the required code.

Now for requesting the permissions from the user, it is essential to modify AndroidManifest.xml by adding the required code in this file. Also ensure that in your Twilio account, the client-side room creation is enabled.

Running the Application

Finally, when all the steps are implemented and code is executed, run your React Native healthcare app by the execution of the command- “react-native run-android” from the terminal window.

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Final Verdict:

Here we have developed a simple React Native app to demonstrate the video-calling capability of Twilio. But we just need to remember that a few things like user connections, user access token generation, room creation, etc. must be very diligently handled on the backend.

Would you like to develop a Video Consultation healthcare app with Twilio implementation in React Native as outlined above? We hope the aforesaid steps will be helpful to React Native developers. For any technical assistance in creating a customized doctor-on-demand video consultation healthcare app, Contact Biz4Solutions, a highly proficient Healthcare app development company with 11+years of experience in this domain.

The food industry has been worst hit by the Covid19 crisis that swept across the globe in 2020. With sit-down restaurants forced to shut down temporarily and consumers reluctant on eating out, food businesses have incurred heavy losses. Therefore, most food businesses whether small-scale food joints, individual entrepreneurs, or high-end eateries; have embraced a technology-integrated approach to survive amidst all odds. Technology-driven digital solutions like food delivery apps, cloud kitchens, digital menu cards, contactless payment options, etc. are playing a significant role in reviving the food industry. Social distancing being the new normal, the online food ordering system and doorstep food delivery service is going well with the consumers. This trend is predicted to stay in the post-Covid era as well. So, food aggregators like Zomato, Uber Eats, and Swiggy have witnessed a sharp rise in the number of restaurant partners. Some restaurants have even launched their own apps to offer customized services to customers.

This article pens down how technology-driven business models and online food delivery services are reviving the food industry. So read along to know why every food enterprise should consider food delivery app development.

Technology-driven Business Models and Their Profitability

Cloud Kitchen

Cloud kitchens or dark kitchens are virtual restaurants without any physical spaces for dining in. These are delivery-only food providers; and are wholly dependent on online orders from consumers. Cloud kitchens accept orders and deliver foodstuff either via food aggregators, or their own food ordering and delivery application. This business model is being increasingly used by businesses to raise profit margins. Take a look!

Operating multiple food brands with minimal resources

The owner of a cloud kitchen enjoys the flexibility to utilize the same kitchen infrastructure and resources for running two or more food brands simultaneously. For instance, a virtual kitchen brand offering Mexican cuisine would like to deliver Italian cuisine as well. But, rather than adding an Italian menu to the existing brand, the owner can start an entirely different brand selling Italian food operated from the same kitchen. This approach is a smart move as customers prefer trying different food brands.

Minimal Investment and Operational Cost

The owners of virtual restaurants need not invest heavily in setting up their business as they save on the cost of renting and maintaining huge premises for dine-ins. All they need is a kitchen space dedicated to fulfilling online orders and minimal staff needed to operate the kitchen. So, owners can save on hiring client-facing staff resulting in much lower operational cost as compared to conventional restaurants.

Food Delivery Apps

Online ordering and delivery service has become an essential feature amidst the current pandemic scenario. It has been observed that while physical dine-in food spaces were hit hard, eateries offering contactless food delivery services continued to generate sales even during the pandemic. In fact, online food ordering apps witnessed a surge in demand after the outbreak of the pandemic. Today, even after a year of the Covid19 outbreak, several customers continue to prefer off-premise dining options with the social distancing trend still in place. Check out its benefits.

Benefits: Customers’ perspective

One can avoid stepping out into crowded places and still enjoy warm food from their favorite food joint.
Consumers with a fast-paced lifestyle enjoy the convenience of hassle-free online ordering and getting eatables delivered to their doorstep.
Edibles are available even during phases of lockdown.

Benefits: Business perspective

Continuing to deliver food even amidst adversities helps food brands stay connected with their customers.
Food delivery services cater to customers belonging to newer demographics regardless of their location and hence enable the providers to broaden their customer base.

Hybrid Infrastructure

Hybrid infrastructure refers to an all-in-one concept that caters to the requirements of diverse groups of consumers on different occasions. Given below are instances of hybrid approach along with their benefits.

The usage of digital screens in eateries enables owners to effortlessly change their menu boards, content, etc.
Multi-functional furniture, dividers, etc. facilitate creating various environments for different events or gatherings as per the size of the group and the nature of the event. For example, restaurant spaces can be converted into discos employing smart lighting and music; and dividers enable multiple activities to function simultaneously without interference. This approach will allow customers to choose the experience they desire each time they visit.
The same eatery offering diverse service models such as casual dining, fine dining, takeaway, choosing order at the counter, delivery of eatables to the table employing a beacon, flexible payment modes, etc. draws more customers.

Technology-infused solutions

Food ventures are utilizing smart solutions for betterment. They are as follows.

IoT and advanced analytics for accurate prediction of the on-going customer preference and changing eating habits.
Contactless solutions and services for ensuring post-pandemic safety standards.
The usage of robots for handing out takeaway orders and smart-screen controlled shelves for storing take-out orders.

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Concluding Views

Cloud kitchens, online ordering and delivery services, hybrid approach, and advanced technology-infused solutions are stepping stones towards the revival of the food sector. So, every in-premise dine-in facility or independent food provider needs to adopt these approaches based on their budget.

If you are planning to hire an experienced food delivery app development company, Biz4Solutions would be the perfect pick. We are a distinguished mobile app development company and would design the best food delivery app or solution as per your need.

Know more about food delivery app development by reviewing this blog.

Parija Rangnekar, Page 10 Author

An overview on development of Video Consultation Healthcare App in React Native Using Twilio