Leveraging business apps to simplify mobilization

Businesses have significantly changed their models to reflect the evolving consumer demands and incorporate new technology that's available. In many cases, organizations have abandoned legacy paper systems of the past for programs based on computers and mobile devices. Companies are now being almost completely run from mobile applications and other software meant to handle inventory, financing and numerous other everyday tasks. While these programs can be substantially beneficial to operations, if consumer-grade products are leveraged, users will not be able to see the same results. Decision-makers must prepare their workforce to function with apps by promoting enterprise-grade programs that will make staff jobs easier.

Operating with mobile applications
Using mobile devices has become a regular part of work for many employees across a variety of industries. As this trend continues to expand, it will be necessary for managers to provide their staff with the best tools. ChannelWeb contributor Jamie Marshall noted that business-developed apps will be the most advantageous to workers as their use will enable organizations to save costs, promote better security practices and limit access to programs that need it. Currently, many organizations allow their employees to use consumer-grade software that is typically not designed with the corporate environment in mind. In order to circumvent this trend, it will be important for developers to leverage available component suites in order to deliver the tools that users are expecting. Many corporate applications fail because they do not take employee needs into account when designing. As more businesses begin to promote enterprise app stores, it will be crucial to present software with familiar interfaces and features that will streamline daily operations.

"Key to this is understanding usability," Marshall wrote. "The point of an app is to make things simple, so businesses need to assess which enterprise applications can be adapted into a more modularized format."

Ensuring app success
With any app development project, there are a considerable amount of factors that will play into the program's success. For example, the choice between native and HTML5 development could provide opportunities for different features. However, there are a few steps that programmers can take throughout the app's life cycle to ensure that it is prosperous. By demonstrating the software, measuring the statistics and creating dedicated networks for distribution, developers will have a better chance of spreading their program across the company, according to WhaTech. Through previewing the software, app builders will have a better idea of how the program runs and what potential issues must be addressed before deployment.

One major element to an app's success is constantly testing and measuring its performance. This means gauging the amount of active installations, revenue being generated and conducting regular assessments to detect any potential vulnerabilities in the code. Through this, organizations can ensure that users always have the best tools on hand and are able to effectively leverage them for business benefits. If developers did not hold these tests, it could leave massive gaps in staff capabilities and potentially make it difficult to use in the fast-paced work environment.

"There is a difference of earth and sky between creating an app and launching it," WhaTech stated. "No doubt that you have created an innovative app for your audience, but if you don't know the procedure of app launch, you will fail to achieve a success with it."

App development is quickly becoming a major initiative across organizations as bring-your-own-device policies continue to be established. As more mobile hardware is leveraged for everyday operations, it will be essential to understand how to create successful applications and run a business with them.