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FKeys App
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FKeys App
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CN Rail employees rely on a legacy scheduling application that is essential to daily operations, but it became unusable on mobile devices.
Kelowna Software developed FKEYS, a custom mobile application that replicates desktop keyboard functionality within a mobile environment without requiring any changes to the legacy system itself.
To view more details about the development of FKeys, read its case study below.
Case Study
The Project
Create a custom mobile application that enables users to operate legacy, keyboard-driven desktop systems, specifically those requiring function keys (F1–F12) and tab-based navigation directly from mobile devices.
Originally developed for CN Rail employees, the solution was designed to unlock mobile access to a critical scheduling system built on a legacy DOS console.
The Problem
CN Rail employees rely on a legacy scheduling application that is essential to daily operations, but it became unusable on mobile devices.
Key challenges included:
- The system required function keys (F1–F12) and tab navigation, which do not exist on mobile devices
- The application was built as a DOS-based console system, with no mobile compatibility
- Employees were tied to desktop environments, limiting flexibility and responsiveness in the field
- Rebuilding or replacing the system would have required significant cost, time, and operational risk
This created a gap: a business-critical system that couldn’t be accessed with advancing technology
The Solution
Kelowna Software developed FKEYS, a custom mobile application that replicates desktop keyboard functionality within a mobile environment without requiring any changes to the legacy system itself.
Key elements of the solution:
- On-screen function keys (F1–F12) and tab controls, designed specifically for mobile interaction
- A system that translates mobile input into recognized keyboard commands for legacy applications
- Seamless integration with existing systems, allowing users to access and operate legacy applications as-is
- A lightweight interface optimized for real-world, field-based environments
The Result
FKEYS transformed how CN employees, and other users of legacy systems, interact with critical software.
Outcomes include:
- Full mobile usability of a previously desktop-only system
- Increased workforce flexibility, allowing employees to access tools anytime, anywhere
- Elimination of costly system replacement, preserving existing infrastructure
- Rapid adoption and strong market validation:
- 150+ purchases on day one
- Consistently ranked in the Top 50 Productivity Apps on the Apple App Store
- Reached Top 10 in its category multiple times
