On-Demand Mobile Fueling

GasMob — iOS Apps and Multi-Role API

Client: GasMob LLC
Industry: On-Demand Mobile Fueling
Service: Custom API Development | Multi-tenant Database Design | iOS Mobile Apps (Customer & Attendant) | Single-Page Web Application | Stripe Payment Integration

Overview

GasMob is a new on-demand gas delivery service designed to simplify busy life schedules. GasMob LLC contracted Sphere to create an MVP of iOS-compatible apps for its mobile fueling service.

The startup required separate applications for both customers and attendants, plus a web application for supervisors and administrators. The system had to be flexible enough to handle an exponential amount of data as the service scaled into new markets.

Four Roles, One Platform

Supervisor

Sets locations, gas prices, and hours of availability; distributes workload, manages attendants, and tracks all orders.

Administrator

Sets payment methods, tracks customer orders, manages customers and vehicles, and runs monthly order reports.

Customer

Registers, enters payment information, specifies location and vehicle, and selects a date, time, and type of gas.

Attendant

Views and accepts orders, performs fill-ups, and completes purchases. A messaging feature lets the attendant alert the customer to any issues in real time.

How We Solved It

Sphere designed a clean three-tier system: a Python/Flask API on AWS, a React + Redux single-page web app for back-office roles, and two native iOS apps for Customer and Attendant. SQLAlchemy and PostgreSQL backed the data layer, and Stripe handled payments. The system was structured around four distinct roles, each routed to its own corresponding API endpoints.

1. Python/Flask API on AWS
A purpose-built API using Python and Flask, with SQLAlchemy ORM over PostgreSQL — multi-tenant data design that scales horizontally as the service grows. The API gates each role to its own endpoints, keeping permissions clean.
2. React + Redux Web Console
A single-page web application built in React (ES 2015) with Redux for state, Axios for transport, Webpack/Babel for build, and PostCSS/SugarSS for styles. Supervisors and administrators run the marketplace from one console.
3. Native iOS Apps for Customer & Attendant
Two native iOS apps in Swift, syncing to the API via Alamofire. The Customer app integrates the Stripe SDK for secure card payments. Shared code lives in a cocoa pod to avoid duplication, and open-source UI libraries were extended where the brief required custom design.

Key Outcomes

MVP Delivered On Time

Sphere delivered three high-quality applications — web console, Customer iOS app, and Attendant iOS app — within the given time frame.

Four Roles, One Codebase

Supervisor, Administrator, Customer, and Attendant flows all routed cleanly through one API, with role-specific endpoints and permissions.

Stripe-Backed Payments

Stripe SDK integration in the Customer app delivered secure credit-card payments out of the box, with no PCI burden on the startup.

Built to Scale

Multi-tenant database design, AWS hosting, and a stateless API layer mean GasMob can grow into new markets without re-architecting.

The Results

Sphere delivered three high-quality applications for GasMob LLC within the given time frame. Axios and Alamofire keep data in sync between the API and the apps, Stripe handles secure payments, and a shared cocoa pod keeps the iOS code base clean. GasMob shipped its on-demand mobile fueling service ready to scale.