AnywhereWorks’ vision is to help the world work… anywhere.
They deliver their vision through a platform of team collaboration tools and services that enable successful remote collaboration.
As their collaboration platform grew, so did the need for consistency and scalability. Without a system-centric approach to delivery, they found themselves solving similar problems in different ways, which impacted productivity and led to inconsistent interfaces and user experiences.
Since 2022 we’ve helped AnywhereWorks build a multi-brand design system, modernise their most trafficked app, and elevate their engineering ways-of-working to improve the quality and quantity of their output, in service to their bold vision.
Our partnership started with the challenge of bringing a more systems-led approach to their design and front-end engineering practices. After understanding their requirements in detail we aligned on a plan to establish a solid foundation for design and front-end in the form of a design system.
We set up a token architecture for colour, spacing, sizing, and theming using Tailwind CSS. Read more about the approaches and tradeoffs we explored before aligning with Tailwind for this multi-brand system.
On top of this, we crafted a suite of base components that prioritise accessibility and developer experience – enabling fast, high-quality implementation across products.
To support learning and adoption, we built a companion documentation site with Next.js, featuring live-editable code examples and prop API specs.
With Earth Design System’s foundations ready to support front-end projects, we set out to integrate it into their public facing booking page app – the most heavily trafficked part of AnywhereWorks’ platform serving over 80,000 global appointments every day.
This modernisation effort did more than validate Earth, it transformed the product:
The booking page modernisation initiative provided an opportunity to implement a range of improvements to their Google Cloud Platform (GCP) configuration including:
These changes allowed AnywhereWorks to better handle traffic spikes, and scale in a more predictable manner – setting the gold standard for future GCP deployments.
Throughout our partnership with AnywhereWorks we’ve helped level-up their internal capabilities wherever possible. Over the 3+ years we collaborated with leadership on a range of approaches including: documenting best practices via text and video, remote and in-person training, and co-designing a front-end skills matrix to grow and hire great engineers.
Together we’ve found that an immersive learn-while-doing model provides the most impact. This current approach involves Thinkmillers parachuting in to existing engineering teams to collaboratively ship products alongside them to build speed, consistency, and confidence throughout. We continue to operate in this mode today, levelling up new and existing teams based on priorities set by the client.
We continue to adapt to AnywhereWorks’ changing needs: identifying and delivering value where it matters most. We remain grateful for an enriching relationship built on trust and shared ambition that spans code, continents, and many deep conversations.
Have a chat with our team about how Thinkmill can support your software ambitions.
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