Project Overview

4Play is an innovative platform designed to enhance the music experience in commercial environments like restaurants and bars. It integrates a music player with a library, an artist panel, an admin panel, and a remote mobile controller app, offering a comprehensive solution for both business owners and artists. By addressing the unique needs of both, 4Play helps create a seamless atmosphere for customers while providing artists with valuable tools to manage their music and earnings.

The client required a sophisticated system to unify these elements under one roof, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced interaction for all users. Beyond Labs delivered a solution that met these demands, revolutionizing music management for businesses and artists alike.

The Process: Building 4Play

The development of 4Play was carried out in phases, with each component designed to integrate seamlessly with the others. This strategic approach ensured that the platform functioned efficiently across all user roles.

1. Music Player & Remote App
   We began by focusing on the core functionalities of the music player, including playlist management and song transitions. Simultaneously, we built the remote app, ensuring consistency in user experience across both platforms.
2. Artist Panel.
   Next, we introduced the Artist Panel, allowing artists to upload their music, track performance, and manage their earnings. This panel was designed to empower artists by giving them control over their content and providing direct feedback mechanisms.
3. Admin Panel.
   The Admin Panel was developed to manage user accounts, approve content, and oversee platform activity. It includes robust tools for content moderation, financial management, and analytics.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: Integrating multiple components (Music Player, Remote App, Artist Panel, Admin Panel) into a cohesive system.
Solution: We focused on creating seamless data flow and ensuring cross-platform consistency. The integration of WebSockets and robust backend architecture allowed all components to work together without issues.

Challenge 2: Balancing advanced features with intuitive usability for different user roles.
Solution: By focusing on a user-centric design, we ensured that each component was easy to navigate, whether for business owners controlling playlists or artists managing their earnings. The design was simplified without compromising functionality.

Key Features

Music Player & Remote App:

The music player was built to allow business owners to manage playlists, schedule music, and control transitions. We used service workers to ensure that the music continued playing even if the browser tab was closed, providing an uninterrupted experience. The mobile app acted as a powerful remote control, enabling administrators to manage the schedule, create playlists, search for songs, and control every aspect of the music player. We also incorporated WebSockets to transmit live data between the app and the music player, ensuring real-time updates and synchronization.

Artist Panel:

The Artist Panel provided musicians with the tools to upload music, track performance, manage earnings, and interact with fans. Artists could directly upload their tracks, view analytics on song usage, and gain insights into their financial performance. The system also featured a feedback loop where artists could interact with their audience and fine-tune their content based on real-time feedback.

Admin Panel:

The Admin Panel not only allowed administrators to manage user accounts, approve content, and handle financial transactions but also included features for managing artist payments. Admins could track song usage and compensate artists accordingly, based on the frequency and extent of their music’s use. Additionally, the panel provided detailed analytics and reporting to ensure transparency in financial operations and platform performance.

Measuring Success

1. Enhanced Atmosphere: Business owners can easily create and maintain personalized playlists, improving the ambiance and boosting customer satisfaction and sales.

2. Artist Empowerment: Artists gained a platform for visibility and direct financial compensation, helping them grow their careers.

3. Operational Efficiency: The Admin Panel allowed for streamlined content management, real-time analytics, and improved financial oversight, ensuring smooth operations across the platform.

Team Collaboration

Seamless collaboration between front-end and back-end teams was vital to the success of the project. Using Figma for design collaboration and Slack for real-time communication ensured constant updates and quick resolutions to challenges.

Impact

The 4Play platform successfully transformed the way music is managed and experienced in commercial settings. For business owners, it offers a flexible and easy-to-use tool for creating an ideal atmosphere, while artists benefit from better visibility and financial tools. The comprehensive, integrated solution has proven to be a game-changer in the industry, and 4Play is now positioned to grow as a key player in the commercial music space.

Conclusion

Beyond Labs turned 4Play’s ambitious vision into a market-ready solution that delivers significant value to both business owners and artists. With a focus on seamless integration, intuitive design, and user empowerment, the project has not only met but exceeded client expectations, setting a new standard for music management in commercial environments.