Making Platform Upgrades for an Established Fencing App
Ahead of a critical fencing season, AskFRED needed UX upgrades and expanded payment options—without disrupting thousands of active users. Aktiga stepped into the existing codebase, streamlined login and tournament registration, simplified navigation, and added PayPal alongside Stripe.
The result: a smoother experience for athletes and organizers, and a stronger, more scalable platform for the future of the sport.
Asheville, NC
2002
Sports Management
About the client
AskFRED is a fencing results and events database (in fact, FRED is actually an acronym for this). The platform was founded in 2002 as a self-serve space where fencing tournament organizers and fencers could coordinate their participation in tournaments with convenience, ease, and transparency. Over the past two decades, AskFRED has become an essential part of the fencing community, helping thousands of users track results, register for events, and stay connected to the sport.
In the 2022-2023 fencing season, the platform was redeveloped from the ground up to ensure its continued stability and long-term maintainability. Through that process, Mitchell—the owner of AskFRED—identified several enhancements he wanted to make to further improve the user experience.
Running AskFRED is a passion project for Mitchell, and as the next season approached, he recognized he didn’t have the bandwidth to make all of the upgrades to the platform on his own. Because AskFRED serves a dedicated and active user base, he began searching for a reliable software development studio that could bring both technical rigor and support for his vision.
Getting custom software support for platform upgrades
Since Mitchell had already spent time rebuilding the AskFRED platform, the software was in great shape. What he needed next were improvements to the user experience and additional functionality to better support event organizers and athletes. He chose to partner with Aktiga, a custom software development studio known for enhancing existing systems through thoughtful design, modern system architecture, and precise engineering—without compromising quality.
Even though the AskFRED platform had a strong code base, upgrading a live product required careful coordination. The fencing season timeline left little room for error, and maintaining uninterrupted service was essential. Aktiga’s agile approach and proven processes allowed development to continue smoothly without any downtime as they quickly immersed themselves in the existing codebase. The team collaborated closely with Mitchell through regular sprint meetings and active feedback loops to stay aligned on goals and deliverables.
Collaboration and improvements
Together, Aktiga and Mitchell revamped the users login experience, streamlined the tournament registration flow, and made a handful of user experience (UX) improvements—including things like creating a simpler and more intuitive navigation, tournament creation, and user settings.
These enhancements made the platform easier to use while also reducing friction for athletes and fencing organizers managing events of all sizes.
Aktiga’s ability to step seamlessly into an existing codebase and meaningfully elevate both performance and usability is what sets their work apart. Their collaborative style ensures that every improvement aligns with both real user needs and broader business goals.
PayPal and Stripe integrations
AskFRED has accepted Stripe payments, but Mitchell wanted to expand payment options to better serve the fencing community. Integrating PayPal was a late-stage request, but given its importance to both Mitchell and athletes, the Aktiga team was able to commit to delivering without delaying the launch timeline.
Results that matter
Following the upgrades to the system, AskFRED continues to be the trusted hub for fencing results and event management—now supported by a stronger, more scalable software system!
Mitchell described the experience of working with Aktiga as seamless and supportive, noting that the partnership allowed him to focus on his other responsibilities. For Aktiga, success means empowering business owners like Mitchell to focus on their mission, knowing their technology is built to support it.
Not all software development happens from scratch
Aktiga specializes in software development at all stages. Whether you’re imagining a new digital product or refining one that already has a user base, Aktiga can step in to support your goals, your timelines, and your vision.
If you’re ready to take your project to the next level, reach out to connect with Aktiga’s team of expert engineers and strategists for a free consultation today.