business digitization

Mobile Application ("app")

• A mobile application, or "app", is computer software designed to run on smartphones, tablets and other types of mobile devices.

• These applications aim to expand the functionalities of the device thanks to professional, educational, leisure or service extras.

Types of Mobile Applications: Implementation

• Native Mobile Applications.

• Hybrid Mobile Applications.

• Web Mobile Applications.

Native Mobile Applications

• They are applications created specifically for a specific operating system (Android, IOS, etc.) instead of being available for several.

• The app is only compatible with the smartphone's operating system.

• This leads to the creation of several similar apps, but with their own identity.

• The approximate time it takes to create a native mobile application is usually longer than other types of web applications.

Hybrid Mobile Applications

• They use the same coding such as HTML 5, CSS or JavaScript for both operating systems (Android and IOS).

• They are much more profitable.

• Its development cost can be half the implementation cost of native apps.

•  They are done in less time.

• Their disadvantage is that they are not as customizable as native apps.

Web Mobile Applications

• They are characterized by being "multiplatform", that is, they can be used on a variety of equipment and devices (not only smartphones and tablets, but also PCs, laptops, etc.), adapting ("adaptive") to the device being used.

• They are also developed in HTML and CSS language.

• They do not take up space in the device storage (smartphone, etc.).

• They do not require downloading.

• They are accessed from any browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, etc.).

• They fulfill the same functions, but they can also have errors.

• These are not designed to send notifications to users unless you subscribe and can receive emails or SMS.

Types of Mobile Applications: Functionality and Use

• Promotional applications. The reason for existing of these mobile applications is to build customer loyalty and get them to consume more of our products or services. They are characterized by providing discount coupons to users, sending invitations to promotional events, holding contests, and even accumulating points and exchanging them for gifts.

• Business guide. The digital directory function is sought in these mobile applications. The app contains a list of where their stores are located and how to find them, they even have geolocation to direct us to them with Google Maps or another map. Many also take the opportunity to inform about exclusive offers depending on where the user is. It is also very common to encourage interaction with social networks, a good way to generate greater online dissemination of the brand.

• Online store (m-commerce). "M-commerce" consists of providing online and mobile access to our catalog of products/services and allowing the customer to purchase through the payment gateway they choose, also allowing shipping options (courier, collection points, in-store collection , etc.).

• Quiz games. Games are the type of apps most downloaded and most used by users. That is why taking advantage of the popularity of games to create an app for our company can be very useful. A good way is to create a kind of 'trivial' with which to retain our customers and entertain them.

• Branding game. Related to the brand or company. This is "advergaming", a type of game development that aims to include elements related to the company (whether the characters, settings or the plot) using, for example, its logo, some of its products or an employee or member of the company that is known, etc. In these cases, the objective is not for the brand and sales to be the focus and objective of the app, but rather the game is what rewards and the brand is secondary and receives an improvement in branding and increases the brand's presence on  mobiles devices.

• Augmented reality (AR). Make it part of the shopping experience, through "virtual catalogs." An example would be the "Ikea" virtual catalog app, which allows us to see how the brand's furniture would look in our own home, office, etc. Another illustrative example would be the virtual catalog of a car dealership, which allows users to view the different models in an immersive way (exterior, interior, etc.), in addition to selecting the color, etc.

• Tourist guide. They are generally based on interactive maps that show the location of relevant points and indicate the route to get there. It can be very positive for the hotels and hostels in the area, as well as to include the gastronomic offer, tourist offices, travel agencies, etc.

• Others. Applications for specific events with information about activities, downloading documentation, etc.

Types of Business Mobile Applications

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management).

• Management of payroll.

• Accounting and billing.

• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).

• Office suites (including word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.).

• Business training software.

Strategy

• Usability and training. On some occasions, the difficulty in using the app has prevented its adoption by employees. Although a training process will be necessary, it is vital that business apps are intuitive and easy to use.

• Integration with software and other business apps. Business apps are part of an entire technological ecosystem of a business. Therefore, it must be guaranteed that any development is integrated with third-party software and applications.

• Scalability and flexibility. The evolution and growth of a company are usually reflected in business applications. On the one hand, smaller companies should be able to access apps tailored to their needs and possibilities. On the other hand, it will be essential that its functionalities grow as the business does as well.

Benefits

• Increased productivity and reduced time. Automation avoids repetitive tasks that consume employees' time and allows cutting personnel costs.

• Improvement in workflows and generation of more accurate results. Employees follow uniform processes that, in addition to cutting time, facilitate the comparison of situations or the detection of points of improvement. This constant monitoring also allows us to reduce reaction times in the event of potential problems.

Whether you are self-employed, an SME or a large company, at U2-LAB™ we help you with everything you need, at all times, from the beginning of the project to its completion and beyond, so that you have peace of mind and can dedicate yourself to what really matters: growing your business/company and offering your clients services of the highest quality, effective and efficient.