Table of content
Enterprise Mobile Application Development: Streamlining Business Processes and Boosting Productivity
Big enterprises follow a strict schedule and manage a lot of tasks at the same time. They always look for new ways to reduce time and money expenses. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is through the integration of enterprise mobile application development.
In today’s world, mobile applications have become an everlasting trend, with global mobile app revenues projected to reach $365 billion by 2023. Enterprises across various industries, from logistics to healthcare and e-commerce, are witnessing the pervasive presence of mobile applications in the worldwide market.
The increasing adoption of the BYOD (bring your own device) trend, utilization of cloud technology, and the need for automation are driving the global mobile enterprise application market, which is expected to reach $98.03 billion by the end of 2021. Enterprises are embracing mobile technology to enhance operational and business processes management, leading to a growing demand for mobile application development platforms. Studies indicate that 73% of companies plan to invest in enterprise mobility solutions in the coming years, with 84% experiencing overall productivity growth after incorporating mobile apps into their businesses.
Enterprise mobile applications not only enable organizations to digitize and expedite their business processes but also strengthen their brand’s interaction with employees, customers, and investors. These apps are specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by large organizations.
Enterprise application development involves the process of building and deploying scalable and trusted mobile apps that help companies streamline their tasks. These apps aim to optimize business operations while delivering user-oriented software that engages clients, partners, and employees in the most efficient way possible.
Enterprise mobile apps can serve both internal and external purposes. They can replicate the main services used by employees on their PCs or offer original solutions to current working issues. Given the vast amount of information processed by enterprises daily, implementing an Enterprise Data Warehouse can help manage the high volume of information effectively.
When it comes to adopting enterprise applications, there are three popular strategies for enterprise mobile application development:
- Packaged mobile applications: Ready-made solutions that enable fast deployment of enterprise apps in your company. However, they may have limited functionalities that don’t meet specific business needs, and integrating such apps with complex and proprietary enterprise systems can be challenging.
- Integrated app development services: This approach involves utilizing out-of-the-box solutions and customizing their functionality according to the business requirements. Engineers can leverage various mobile services across multiple apps and platforms.
- Custom enterprise app development from scratch: Companies can create unique enterprise applications tailored to their specific needs and goals. Custom app development provides flexibility in features, design, and app logic, giving businesses a competitive advantage.
By opting for enterprise mobile app development, organizations can significantly improve their business processes. These apps offer several key advantages over competitors, including accelerated workflow, increased productivity, and enhanced revenue generation.
Different types of enterprise mobile apps serve various levels within an organization:
- Employee-level apps: These apps, designed for internal use only, have a minimal feature set. For example, they assist top managers in staying up to date with specific projects, ensuring there are no delays or issues. Such apps provide quick access to essential information.
- Department-level apps: Tailored to the needs of specific departments like finance or marketing, these apps optimize internal workflows and also serve as a communication channel for customers to connect with employees and provide feedback.
- Company-level apps: These apps connect various departments within the entire organization into a single network. Employees can stay in touch with their superiors and access enterprise documents and databases based on their position and access level.
Enterprise mobile application development brings numerous benefits to companies:
- Growing revenue through automation and higher productivity: Mobile apps offer crucial features such as high-security levels, portability, and compatibility with other apps and devices, which help businesses achieve revenue growth and improved productivity.
- Accounting, transactions, and payments: Mobile apps enable companies to create and manage transactions, control payment deadlines, send notifications, and incorporate various payment features based on specific requirements and goals.
- Enhanced data management: Enterprise mobile apps streamline data processing and management, including information analysis, verification, and corrections, resulting in improved overall business efficiency.
- Monitoring business goals: These apps help companies focus on primary goals and tasks by reducing paperwork and eliminating human errors through automated marketing campaigns, data processing, and transaction control.
- Mobile accounting: Enterprise mobile apps allow tracking and editing of financial performance, as well as monitoring employees’ progress via smartphones. Managers can easily generate reports based on app-generated data.
- Supply chain control: For companies involved in supply chain management, mobile apps can include features for accurate planning, control over courier work, and transportation management. Such mobile solutions optimize supply chain management and save money accordingly.
- Streamlined employee onboarding: Enterprise applications simplify the onboarding process, managing all information related to staff certification. This saves time and effort for HR specialists, enhancing overall efficiency.
In conclusion, enterprise mobile application development is instrumental in helping companies achieve higher results through automation and process optimization. By leveraging the advantages of mobile apps, organizations can streamline their business operations, boost productivity, and stay ahead of the competition.
Points to Consider Before Enterprise Mobile Application Development
Before embarking on enterprise mobile application development and integration, it is crucial to consider the following essentials for a successful project:
- Business Objectives: Clearly define your development goals and identify the issues the enterprise mobile app will solve and the benefits it will bring to your company. For client-focused apps, outline the crucial points the application should address. For employee-focused solutions, study their expectations and requirements.
- Easy Integration: Ensure seamless integration of the new enterprise mobile app with your existing corporate system. Flexible APIs are essential for smooth integration with third-party systems such as 1C, SAP, Oracle, and others.
- Security: Pay close attention to storage, transfer, and use of company information. Since employees install enterprise mobile apps on personal smartphones, it is crucial to predict and address all possible security issues to protect sensitive data.
- Administration and Control: Enterprise mobile app development involves not only the efforts of the project team but also administrative and legal work within the organization. Determine who will be responsible for app management and consider the necessary training.
- Agile Development Strategy: Adopt an Agile approach for iterative and step-by-step software development. This strategy allows for design, development, and testing methods throughout the software lifecycle, enabling adjustments and improvements. Consider applying the Agile strategy and aim for an MVP version of the app for testing purposes.
- Technological Edge: Select appropriate technologies that will ensure the longevity and relevance of your enterprise mobile app. Consult with experienced enterprise mobile application development companies to identify modern technologies that align with market trends.
- MEAP (Mobile Enterprise Application Platform): Consider leveraging MEAP to simplify the development process for enterprise software used by employees on various mobile devices. MEAP’s cross-platform feature allows for app development across different operating systems without additional costs or changes in business logic.
Core Features of an Enterprise App
When building an enterprise mobile app, consider incorporating the following core features to create a robust and efficient platform:
- Security: Implement strong user authentication, such as two-factor or multi-factor authentication, to ensure secure access to the app and protect sensitive data.
- Real-Time Analytics: Enable real-time analysis to facilitate data processing and improve decision-making processes within the enterprise.
- Instant Messaging: Enable seamless communication and collaboration among employees and partners through real-time chat and messaging features.
- Data Sharing: Facilitate real-time data sharing to enhance information exchange among managers, clients, and investors, allowing for easy access and exchange of data in various formats.
- Cloud Storage: Utilize cloud storage to provide smooth and easy access to information from anywhere, ensuring data availability and reliability.
- Push Notifications: Leverage push notifications to keep employees informed about upcoming events, important tasks, and emergencies, while also utilizing them to reach potential customers with targeted offers.
- Offline Mode: Enable offline mode functionality, allowing users to work with the app even without a stable internet connection. This feature increases usability and productivity, providing access to essential data when offline.
Remember that while these are essential features for enterprise mobile apps, customization is crucial to align with specific business needs. Each feature should be developed and added based on the unique requirements of the enterprise.
Enterprise Mobile Application Development Stages
Enterprise mobile application development is a complex and time-consuming process that requires careful planning and execution. Skilled developers and customer engagement are crucial for creating a high-quality app. It’s important to understand that a quality app cannot be developed in one go; it requires multiple stages of development. Let’s take a closer look at these stages:
Stage #1. Draft the Specification: The development process begins with ideation. Define your goals and requirements, analyzing your target audience’s expectations. All this information should be documented in the specification, which acts as a blueprint for the development process.
Stage #2. Consider the Platform: Choosing the right platform is crucial for any mobile development project, including enterprise app development. In this case, you need to select both iOS and Android platforms since employees use devices with different operating systems. By considering this factor from the start, you ensure compatibility with all devices.
Stage #3. Get a Wireframe Designed: Creating a wireframe is essential as it provides a visual representation of the app’s structure and functionality. It allows you to see how the enterprise mobile app will look and function before investing in full development. This step saves time and resources by identifying necessary adjustments early on.
Stage #4. UI/UX Design: User-friendly and intuitive design is paramount for enterprise mobile apps. The design should prioritize simplicity and avoid unnecessary details. Remember, these apps are meant for business purposes, so focus on delivering a clean and efficient user experience.
Stage #5. Product Development: Product development is the most significant and challenging part of enterprise mobile app development. Hiring a skilled and experienced enterprise app development company is recommended for a successful outcome. They can bring your requirements and expectations to life.
Stage #6. Testing: Testing is crucial to ensure the app’s functionality and usability. Involve your employees in beta testing as they are the end-users and can provide valuable feedback. Quality assurance engineers from the development company will also conduct rigorous testing to identify and fix any bugs.
How We Can Help: CodeBright Expertise
CodeBright is an enterprise app development company located in Central Europe with a team of skilled software engineers. We specialize in developing scalable business apps that meet all requirements. For example, we have developed RetailOps, a powerful SaaS solution for retail, available on iOS and desktop platforms. RetailOps provides a range of tools for warehouse and inventory management, helping retail companies streamline their operations.
Investing in enterprise mobile application development is crucial for businesses to stay competitive and succeed in the digital world. Modern enterprise mobile solutions enhance client satisfaction, improve employee productivity, and meet the security and reliability requirements of enterprises. By adopting the latest development methods, companies can reduce risks, gain a competitive edge, and increase their commercial value in the long run.