Enterprise Applications for Mobile Devices
Content
Enterprise applications for mobile devices like IPhones, Ipads, Android phones and Tablets These days, businesses are not run in the traditional manner. The technological advancement and the advent of internet have changed the way businesses are conducted today. The adoption of technology by business organizations has improved the productivity of an organization and also the returns on investments made. Every business organization today makes use of the various software tools available for each aspect of the business; be it employee recruitment and training, conducting interviews or employee evaluation. Enterprise applications are popular software tools that are used in almost every organization these days. An enterprise application is basically a business application that can be deployed on different types of platforms so that the organization’s operations can be carried on easily. The enterprise applications are complex systems and have the following features: • • • • • Scalable Distributed User friendly Data centric Mission critical
The enterprise applications can be deployed on platforms like intranets, corporate networks and even the internet. The choice of the platform is dependent on the nature of the business operations and the scope of the operations. For instance, if an organization operates on an international platform, then perhaps the internet will prove to be a better option for enterprise application rather than intranet or a corporate network. The basic purpose of enterprise applications is to manage the operations and resources of an organization in the best possible manner so that the organization can work effectively and with more productivity. With the introduction of desktops and later on laptops, the business organizations found it easy to adopt an enterprise application. These days, with mobile devices like Ipads, IPhones, tablets etc. enterprise applications can be used on them also very effectively and efficiently. The reason is that these smart devices have all the necessary features and capabilities that can support enterprise applications. In addition, most people including employees and customers like to access enterprise applications on their mobile devices because it is easy as well as convenient. The reason why most business organizations are switching to mobile enterprise applications is because majority of people make use of mobile devices these days as they are on the move all the time and require an application that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. A mobile
device offers connectivity easily to the users, thereby enabling them to access and share whatever they want. With the use of mobile devices, one can get real time access to everything like data, calendar, notes etc. This is important in today’s competitive corporate world. The use of mobile enterprise applications offers the following advantages to the business organization: • Increased workforce productivity‐ Mobile devices provide connectivity. This means that employees in an organization can access important data anytime and anywhere. When important data and information is available to the employees, they can work on it quickly. This means that employees take less time to work on a specific project. Improved customer services‐ With enterprise applications on mobile devices, even customers can access the services offered by an organization whenever they require. This helps the organization to serve the customers in a better way and ensure customer satisfaction. Improved turnaround time‐ With the availability of important data and information on finger tips; it becomes easier and more convenient for employees to work. This means that they complete their work quickly. The mobile enterprise applications also enable the employees to seek solutions for their problems by sharing their problems with others on the mobile devices. Employee safety and security‐ The best thing about mobile enterprise applications is that employees stay connected with each other all the time. This means that employees are always safe and secure and can travel safely to and from remote locations. Employee retention‐ The introduction of mobile devices enables employees to maintain a balance in their work life and if necessary they can also work remotely. This helps the employees to work at their own convenience and thus the organization is able to retain more employees.
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In addition to the organizations, even customers can make use of the mobile devices to access enterprise applications. This enables the customers to access all the services offered by the organization easily and quickly. It not only enables the customers to use the services conveniently but also helps the organization to offer better customer services. This further helps the organization to achieve customer satisfaction and in turn more customers. So, eventually the organization benefits by making more profits. The mobile devices also improve the productivity of the field force of the organization. The employees on field always stay connected with those in the office. In addition, these field employees have real time access to information which enables them to stay up‐to‐date with the latest happenings in the organization. This implies that these officers are always able to provide the correct information to the existing as well as the potential customers. The field employees have access to important information round the clock and this helps them to work
more quickly and efficiently. Research shows that the use of mobile devices for accessing enterprise applications results in 60% increase in the productivity of the field force of an organization. Today, many organizations successfully make use relationship management, supply chain management and enterprise resource planning applications on their mobile devices. The organizations also make use of the mobile devices to access data, access email, manage documents and access other important information and resources. Organizations make use of mobile devices like mobile phones, tablets, Ipads etc. for enterprise applications. However, it has been found out that most employees make use of tablets to access the enterprise applications. The following are the reasons for the growing popularity of tablets for enterprise applications: • • • Better user experience Better affordability More security
The use of mobile phones for accessing enterprise applications may not be a safe option because of the security concerns and the limitations put by the network carrier and service provider. In addition to being used by business organization, mobile devices are also being used in educational institutions. Mobile phones and tablets are fast finding their way into schools and other educational institutions. Most institutions are facilitating interactive learning by using mobile devices and making the appropriate software available on these devices. One typical example of an educational application which is run on mobile devices is Flink Learning. This program has 2000 to 3000 different online learning activities that can run on cell phones and around 4000 online learning activities that can run on tablets. This program can run on IPhones and Android phones.
The enterprise applications can be deployed on platforms like intranets, corporate networks and even the internet. The choice of the platform is dependent on the nature of the business operations and the scope of the operations. For instance, if an organization operates on an international platform, then perhaps the internet will prove to be a better option for enterprise application rather than intranet or a corporate network. The basic purpose of enterprise applications is to manage the operations and resources of an organization in the best possible manner so that the organization can work effectively and with more productivity. With the introduction of desktops and later on laptops, the business organizations found it easy to adopt an enterprise application. These days, with mobile devices like Ipads, IPhones, tablets etc. enterprise applications can be used on them also very effectively and efficiently. The reason is that these smart devices have all the necessary features and capabilities that can support enterprise applications. In addition, most people including employees and customers like to access enterprise applications on their mobile devices because it is easy as well as convenient. The reason why most business organizations are switching to mobile enterprise applications is because majority of people make use of mobile devices these days as they are on the move all the time and require an application that can be accessed anywhere and at any time. A mobile
device offers connectivity easily to the users, thereby enabling them to access and share whatever they want. With the use of mobile devices, one can get real time access to everything like data, calendar, notes etc. This is important in today’s competitive corporate world. The use of mobile enterprise applications offers the following advantages to the business organization: • Increased workforce productivity‐ Mobile devices provide connectivity. This means that employees in an organization can access important data anytime and anywhere. When important data and information is available to the employees, they can work on it quickly. This means that employees take less time to work on a specific project. Improved customer services‐ With enterprise applications on mobile devices, even customers can access the services offered by an organization whenever they require. This helps the organization to serve the customers in a better way and ensure customer satisfaction. Improved turnaround time‐ With the availability of important data and information on finger tips; it becomes easier and more convenient for employees to work. This means that they complete their work quickly. The mobile enterprise applications also enable the employees to seek solutions for their problems by sharing their problems with others on the mobile devices. Employee safety and security‐ The best thing about mobile enterprise applications is that employees stay connected with each other all the time. This means that employees are always safe and secure and can travel safely to and from remote locations. Employee retention‐ The introduction of mobile devices enables employees to maintain a balance in their work life and if necessary they can also work remotely. This helps the employees to work at their own convenience and thus the organization is able to retain more employees.
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•
•
In addition to the organizations, even customers can make use of the mobile devices to access enterprise applications. This enables the customers to access all the services offered by the organization easily and quickly. It not only enables the customers to use the services conveniently but also helps the organization to offer better customer services. This further helps the organization to achieve customer satisfaction and in turn more customers. So, eventually the organization benefits by making more profits. The mobile devices also improve the productivity of the field force of the organization. The employees on field always stay connected with those in the office. In addition, these field employees have real time access to information which enables them to stay up‐to‐date with the latest happenings in the organization. This implies that these officers are always able to provide the correct information to the existing as well as the potential customers. The field employees have access to important information round the clock and this helps them to work
more quickly and efficiently. Research shows that the use of mobile devices for accessing enterprise applications results in 60% increase in the productivity of the field force of an organization. Today, many organizations successfully make use relationship management, supply chain management and enterprise resource planning applications on their mobile devices. The organizations also make use of the mobile devices to access data, access email, manage documents and access other important information and resources. Organizations make use of mobile devices like mobile phones, tablets, Ipads etc. for enterprise applications. However, it has been found out that most employees make use of tablets to access the enterprise applications. The following are the reasons for the growing popularity of tablets for enterprise applications: • • • Better user experience Better affordability More security
The use of mobile phones for accessing enterprise applications may not be a safe option because of the security concerns and the limitations put by the network carrier and service provider. In addition to being used by business organization, mobile devices are also being used in educational institutions. Mobile phones and tablets are fast finding their way into schools and other educational institutions. Most institutions are facilitating interactive learning by using mobile devices and making the appropriate software available on these devices. One typical example of an educational application which is run on mobile devices is Flink Learning. This program has 2000 to 3000 different online learning activities that can run on cell phones and around 4000 online learning activities that can run on tablets. This program can run on IPhones and Android phones.
