Augustana College’s Express Services (ACES) team is developing a new mobile app and website, in hopes of resolving issues surrounding accessibility and outdated software. The app was first launched by the college in 2018.
ACES’ former software developer, Anubhav Rayamajhi, graduated last December and first started work on the new app in the summer of 2024. Sophomore TJ Klein now serves as the software developer and said he is picking up where Rayamajhi’s work left off.
“We’re creating a whole new app written in a different language than the current ones, with the goal of it being faster,” Klein said.
To make the app run smoother, Associate Professor of Computer Science Dr. Forrest Stonedahl said Klein is writing all new coding. Stonedahl said he often assists student developers, such as Klein, due to their enrollment in his classes.
“The original mobile apps were written separately using the Java language for Android and the Swift language for iOS, while the Dispatcher web app was written in a different language called JavaScript,” Stonedahl said. “Having three different languages is cumbersome for maintenance, so the goal is to help consolidate and simplify the process.”
To remedy this, Klein said he will code three different applications: one for iOS users, one for Android and one for the online web.
The new app is also set to feature a GPS tracking system, he said, so students can better track their ride times. In addition to the new app, Klein said he hopes this website will make services more accessible for students.
In the past, Klein said some students have experienced issues accessing the ACES app on mobile phones, such as Androids.
Chief of Police and ACES Staff Advisor Tom Phillis said that the ACES app did not work on Androids at all, but he said that issue has since been resolved. However, Augustana’s website still states the app is for iPhone users only.
Sophomore Francesca Mastrangeli said she has been unable to download the app since she came to Augustana. Mastrangeli, an international student from Italy, said other international students have varying success in using the app.
“I think this is a big issue because international students are the people that don’t have cars,” Mastangeli said. “We literally don’t have any other way to get around.”
However, ACES Director, senior Fernando Munguia, who is also an international student from Nicaragua, said this may have to do with things outside of the team’s control, such as regional differences in phones, rather than issues with the software itself.
“Sometimes, when you come from another country, certain apps are set as if they are operating in your homeland, and the ACES app is probably not available in their region,” Munguia said.
Senior Gracie Gwozdz is also an ACES director as well as a human resources supervisor and said she believes many problems regarding the app are due to the fact that it has not been updated in a while. In fact, Gwozdz and the rest of the ACES staff are unsure of when the application was last updated, due to the change in student developers.
“We, as directors, unfortunately have no control over that,” Gwozdz said. “I wish there was something more I could do, but I am thankful that a new student is stepping into the app developer role.”
ACES management said they are unable to provide an exact timeline for when the app will be finished and released. But, Klein said he is hopeful to complete the project by the end of this school year.
“I’m only working 10 hours a week which isn’t a ton of time to be doing stuff like this,” Klein said. “Personally, I would hope for the end of the year.”