Three Essential Trends in Enterprise iOS Application Development

Smartphones are opening up new doors for the enterprise. The enterprise app development industry is evolving just as rapidly as the technology market, and we are seeing a number of trends that indicate a strong focus on secure cloud-based mobile solutions.

While enterprise apps will likely be more expensive and demanding, they will also be more intuitive and scalable. Given these predictions, mobile developers should consider these three major trends:

App Security

Security has always been a big challenge. According to a survey by Gartner, 75 percent of mobile apps will fail basic security tests in 2015, and hackers will continue to take advantage of those vulnerabilities.

Security is a crucial factor that iOS app developers need to focus on. This is a major concern for smartphone users, especially since so much private and business data is stored on these devices or on a cloud networks, both of which can be compromised through app vulnerabilities.

iBeacon and Location-Based Wi-Fi Services

The retail and advertising sectors have begun implementing iBeacon and location-based Wi-Fi services to help deliver content that is more meaningful to smartphone users. This opens up a range of possibilities for enterprise users as well.

Enterprise Mobile App Development

Enterprises can use these technologies in their workplace to ensure that the right people get access to the right data and services. Imagine a project manager walking into a department and getting relevant status updates on what projects the department is currently working on, as soon as he steps through the door. Instead of having to go through a hundred emails or status updates, the manager only sees what's needed while in that department. This is just one example. App developers can incorporate location-based information and services sharing into enterprise apps to suit specific needs.

Here's another example. Imagine having the names and contacts of clients and suppliers in the immediate vicinity delivered to your smartphone just as you enter a specific location. As soon as your business development manager steps into a Starbucks, they receive a notification on their smartphone telling them that one of your clients is there for a coffee, and they should say hello. (This example could be considered borderline stalking, but hey! You get the point I’m making here). Thus, a location based service app can help you in staying connected with your business associates. 

iBeacon and location-based Wi-Fi services are a huge step forward in terms of delivering relevant content and even services.

Cloud-Driven Technology

Cloud-driven technology will play a vital role in custom iOS app development in 2015. With the rise in the use of multiple smart devices, mobile app developers will have to focus more on the integration and synchronization of their apps on multiple smart devices, as well as cross-device compatibility. Cloud technology will help app developers create applications that can be operated with multiple smart devices by using server-side and web-application technologies that use the cloud to their advantage.

Enterprise app developers need to stay several steps ahead of the game to deliver groundbreaking solutions that can give them the edge in this rapidly evolving industry. So it's advisable to go for a skilled custom iOS development service provider that has extensive experience in developing compelling iOS apps so that you can rest easy on the development part and focus on core business needs.

Are your apps future proof? Would you implement location-based services for your office space? Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments below. We'd love to discuss them in detail because we value your input.

Benefits of Mobile Learning Applications for Kids

Smartphones and mobile applications have had a far-reaching impact on a number of industries including education. From organizations like Google who are making strides in the use of technology in classrooms, to teachers adopting iPads for marking assignments – technology, specifically mobile devices have found acceptance as learning tools. 

Let us take a look at how mobile learning applications help students:

• Available Round the Clock: In contrast to physical presence in the school, there are no set timings when a student can access a mobile app. All the teachers need to ensure is that the smartphone/tablet that the student is using has just the necessary learning apps. With child-friendly controls, kids can easily find information on their own. 

• Engaging User Interface: Children respond positively to visual stimuli. When mobile apps offer a wide range of interactions and visual elements, the young learners are bound to get hooked. Keeping kids engaged with word games, origami or puzzles will not only keep them busy but also help in development of all their faculties. 

• Staying in Touch with Teachers: Educational apps cannot and should not act as substitutes for classroom teaching. These apps are meant to complement a classroom experience. For instance, with a learning app, students can reach out to subject teachers for any queries they may have. Some apps provide features like instant messaging and emails. With such mobile apps, teachers can easily and quickly resolve student queries as they surface. 

• An Alternate & Fun Mode of Learning: Gone are the days when kids would say that school is boring. With smartphones and tablets entering schools, children have little to complain about. Mobile apps become text-based learning companions and include vivid graphics and other media that can capture the reader's attention. Some applications have infographics, audio narration features, and built in quizzes – things are guaranteed to turn that dull history lecture into a joyride. 

• Prepare for the Future: Technology is here to stay. When kids begin to use age appropriate apps on iPads or smartphones, they are merely getting ready to use those tools that will become an integral part of their lives in the time to come. Some mobile apps also have great features like keeping a track of a child's progress. These progress reports help parents and teachers see how the app is helping the child improve on things like reading or math. 

As an organization planning to build a mobile application for children, you may be thinking whether the app should just cater to iPhone users or Android users. Building for one platform would mean you limit your app to just a section of the society. With cross platform app development, you can create a single educational app that works on most of the major platforms including Windows, iOS and Android.  Your next question could be what technology to use. This where you can benefit from PhoneGap development. 

PhoneGap lets businesses develop a mobile app, allows it to be wrapped in the mobile development framework and facilitates its installation as a native mobile application. If you need native look and feel in your learning app – PhoneGap is an ideal choice for you.

For those SMBs in the education sector, especially those who are new to app development, do consider getting help from a Phonegap application development company. By doing this, you can not only save yourself some time but also get a top quality mobile app listed on the top App stores in no time!

Top Mobile Technology Trends To Excel in 2016

Mobile technology has come a long way since the introduction of smartphones. Touchscreen smartphones and better computing capabilities in a small package have given businesses the freedom to innovate. And as 2016 unfolds, it is expected to be another consequential year for businesses to provide novel mobile technologies that enhance  mobile customer experience (CX).

Around 90% of eCommerce traffic uses smartphones and tablets today and this trend is not meant to decline with time. In the age of the customer, businesses are shifting their investment focus from point-solutions to customer end-to-end innovations. Virtually, mobile is transforming the way businesses will operate and serve customers in future. This is why they should bank on the  following mobile technologies and competencies trending in 2016.

Mobile Trends

1. Cross-Platform Tools: No business wants to limit its app usage and development on a single platform. The wide array of devices along with the advanced features and capabilities permit the apps to address the requirements of multiple platforms and, thus, adopt a cross-platform development approach. Many cross-platform tools such as PhoneGap, Appcelerator, Sencha, Titanium, Unity3D, Cocos2d, etc already exist and more such tools will be added to the list this year.

2. Mobile Payments: With a majority of online traffic coming from mobile devices, eCommerce leaders face  a growing need to operate app-only businesses plus redesign the omni-channel user experience that embraces  mobile payments. Technologies similar to mobile payment  along with the integration of wallets and devices on various platforms will become even stronger. This will improve  payment procedures and drive more customers to your websites.

3. Swift Programming Language for iOS Apps: Swift is both an application and a system's programming language. It is the most qualified and  reliable language for developers to write  code on. Since its release, Swift has gained around 11 million downloads and is faster  than Objective C in providing  a robust enterprise mobile application development environment. In the coming year, this high-end programming language will lead in the development of  the most diversified apps for iOS and OS X.

4. Mobility with Cloud: Cloud will play a central role for the majority of apps this year. Number of businesses and developers have begun to adopt cloud computing technology due to an  increase in integration and synchronization of applications across multiple platforms and devices. Cloud not only nurtures unlimited supply of computing power to your applications but also executes the data seamlessly on various devices. So, the growth in significance of cloud-driven apps in 2016 is expected.

5. Enterprise Mobile Management: Expansion and convergence of numerous mobility management, security and support technologies is the future of Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM). These technologies include mobile device and application management, app wrapping and containerization plus some aspects of enterprise file synchronization and sharing. Such tools are expected to mature, increase in scope and ultimately address various mobile management requirements across all familiar operating systems on smartphones, tablets and personal computers in 2016.

The above  mobile technology trends are expected to  help businesses provide improved products and services with advanced omni-channel support to their online customers.

Are you planning to adopt any of  these latest trends? Let us know in the comments section below.

4 Things You Must Know about iOS 9

Apple's iOS 9 is not even a year old yet. Check your understanding of this latest operating system with its four important aspects discussed below.

 #1: Deep Linking:  Deep linking has become a standard in iOS 9. Apple has made it simpler to connect applications together, improved the UX and increased reliance on mobile apps (without inducing users to turn to Mobile Web). For instance, you read a movie review on the IMDB app and want to purchase tickets, the Fandango app will bring you straight to the checkout page for the movie.

#2: Connected Devices: Internet of Things is here to rule and there's no chance that it's just a passing fad. This implies that connected devices will continue to be a key consideration for iOS. Apple has ensured that iOS 9 has a number of enhancements that make application development a breeze for devices other than mobiles and tablets.

#3: Enterprise Focus: Apple and Google are both racing to build for enterprises. While there maybe plenty of fish in the consumer pool, both the organizations have their eyes on a bigger prize - enterprise customers. New features like the iPad multitasking support may mean an increase in the use of tablets at work.

#4: Developer Friendly: A number of tools are being released to speed up app development.
A number of new APIs have been added. By releasing and open sourcing Swift2, Apple wants to be the language of choice irrespective of the platform. It is hoped that Swift will also help iOS developers get up to speed with development since its learning curve is not as steep as that for Objective-C.

Top iOS Crash Reporting Tools for 2016

Mobile application crash reporting tools have become sophisticated and more developer-friendly over time. They are now easier to integrate and come with an array of features.  While there a number of options out there, our aim is to highlight the pros and cons of the top iOS crash reporting tools. This list will be useful for businesses and developers in the process of deciding which crash reporting framework makes to implement.

1. Crashlytics

Crashlytics is one of the most popular, free and useful crash reporting tools in the market. Ideal for SMBs, it works beyond stack traces, analyzes each thread and assigns impact levels. This helps in prioritizing and working downwards from the most urgent crash reports. It is favored by developers due to its intuitive and clean design. One thing that could be addressed is the spotty Customer support!

2. Parse

Parse is a new entrant to this list. It arrived in late 2014 and adoption of Parse Crash Reporting is growing by leaps and bounds. Also great for freelancers and SMBs, Parse locates and fixes iOS crashes  with simple console logs and alerts. With Facebook's backing, we can expect Parse getting pumped up with new features on a regular basis. Parse already has an analytics dashboard, a code library and cloud modules. Too early to find any faults with Parse.

3. Xcode

Currently, the Xcode 7.2 beta 4 is in pre-release. Xcode comes directly from Apple, so it has bundled symbolization and built-in integration. The only drawback is that users need to agree to share their data with Apple. So, there isn't going to be a large sample of crashes happening in your application.

4 iOS Apps for On-the-Move Professionals

Are you tired of the existing apps on your iPhone? Looking for some fresh, new applications? You've come to the right place. Check out our roundup of the top iOS apps that will make your life a lot simpler and perhaps, more fun!

However, before you download any new apps, make sure you have the latest Apple OS on your device to make app installation and use – a cake walk.

1). LinkedIn Connected: Ever embarrassed yourself by saying to someone you've met before, “It's a pleasure to meet you”? The LinkedIn Connected mobile app (previously LinkedIn Contacts) can save you. Before a meeting, it tells you who you're meeting, whether you've met before, goes through your calendar, email and LinkedIn and gives you a concise summary of your history with the person.

2). Google Maps: This is a must-have for all those who are 'navigationally-challenged'. Once a part of all iPhones, you now have to download it from the app store. The app is great for detailed turn bu turn directions – whether you're walking, driving or using public transit.

3). Evernote: An essential application if you want to be productive on the go. This free, note making app outperforms all its rivals with its excellent organization and search capabilities. It also syncs all your files and saves them on a cloud service. Can it get any better?

4). Flixster: No, this is not an app that'll help you work better. Neither is it just another movie and theater application. Apart from movie show timings, the social integration and Rotten Tomatoes ratings make your movie watching decision, a lot easier.

Add to this list! Tell us about your favorite iOS applications for 2015 in the comments section below.

4 Reasons a Custom iPad App Is Just What Your Sales Team Needs

iPad has evolved to become the most powerful gadget for sales people. As per a success story published on the Apple website, P&G, one of the biggest FMCG companies, has developed more than 50 custom iOS apps for different functions. The company says that custom iPad apps for their sales department have helped their sales force become more productive, and connect with people in different ways.

Custom iPad Applications to Enhance Your Enterprise Sales & Productivity

To help you get a clear picture, let’s take a look at the following reasons that show why a custom iPad App is just what your sales team needs.

1) Perfect Way to Connect with Customers

Sales people win half the battle when they understand customers. Apps give valuable insights about customer behavior.  They help in product modification as per customer needs.  When customers are happy they will bring more referrals, which means more business.

According to Shawn Myers, SVP Marketing at Boost Media, information about customer expectations helps in choosing the direction of future ad campaigns. It also helps define target demographics clearly which helps in providing better products and services.

2) Increases Productivity of Sales Person

According to Rusty Bishop, Co-Creator FatStax Sales & Marketing Platform, only 41% of the salesperson’s time is spent on actual selling. 19% of the time is spent on administrative tasks. This is an alarming situation for any business.

Apps present sales people with a quick way to enter data, manage workflow, check inventory, record purchases, and perform simple tasks efficiently. With the right app on the iPad, they won’t have to call the office to get customer information or inventory positions. Using an app to do it greatly reduces the time required for such tasks.

3) Increase in Sales

Mobile apps offer a wealth of opportunities to connect with customers and generate revenue. Push notifications for new offers, mobile ordering,  subscription to materials, and invitation to events are some of the activities that can lead to sales.

As per research conducted by Mobile Marketing watch, 41% of users consider mobile as an important media that influences their purchase decisions. Once you engage consumers on the mobile, it is easy to use in-app messaging to encourage immediate lead conversion.

4) Competitive Edge

Today, even small businesses develop custom apps to engage customers and drive sales. An age-old phrase says, “The early bird gets the worm.” There is no doubt the company that develops a custom app first will have an edge.

By developing a custom iPad app, your business will be ready to meet mobile audiences wherever they may be. Apps will help you move ahead of other competitors, allowing your business to grow even more.

An article published in InformationWeek mentions that a changing environment has inspired organizations in North America to distribute iPad’s to their sales representatives. Sales apps for iPads  have been effective in helping sales teams achieve their business goals.

As per Manhattan research, 8 out of 10 global pharma companies are rolling out iPads for their sales representatives to benefit from.

So are you ready to take the advantage of iPad to boost your sales? Please leave your comments below and thanks for reading!