uxt chicago - designing mobile apps for enterprise use
DESCRIPTION
Networked mobile devices are completely redefining how employees collaborate, contribute and find information at work. Designing solutions to accommodate the latest capabilities and new demands of mobile enterprise systems takes innovative thinking.TRANSCRIPT
DesigningMobile Apps forEnterprise Use
Jeff SteffgenUX & Design Directorat SuperConnect
• Chicago-based mobile software start-up (Apr ‘12)• Enterprise Apps – Mobile productivity & learning– mLevel: Flagship Gamified Learning App– Connections: Mobile Enterprise Directory App– Scheduler: Calendaring App (iOS/Outlook)
• Clients – Advocate Healthcare, AT&T & more• www.superconnect.com/blog
About SuperConnect
What is “the Enterprise”?
I always preferred Star Wars…
USS Enterprise?
the first trilogy, anyway
Enterprise Apps
Use mobility to redefine howemployees find & access information
Enterprise Apps
Employees in the field want to easily complete work tasks on the go
Understanding the Enterprise
Enterpriseaka “The 800lb Gorilla”
Finding the right info can be challenging for workers
Geographically decentralized & distributed environment
Disparate business units (silos) with authority & power
Use of mobility & cloud to redefine the enterprise
Typically 2 types of users… - End-users
Using the app on the devices- Administrators
Managing the set-up and usage (licenses, permissions and roles) via a back-end website.
System Users
• Mobility – Paradigm shift in how information is accessed and consumed
• BYOD – Captures real productivity from employees via personal devices
• Cloud/SaaS – Makes solutions scalable, easy and fast to implement
• Gamification – Use of games, leaderboards and achievements to drive learning and performance
• Social Media – Connecting people, facilitating communication and collaboration
Major Enterprise Trends
Unique Challenges for Enterprise
Platforms
HTML 5Typically easier, cheaper and faster to develop a mobile-optimized version of a website
Platforms
Hybrid approach, HTML 5 wrapped in iOS native shell
Native Apps Allows access to device-specific controls, inputs and features such as GPS, accelerometer, multi-touch gestures, built-in security and offline storage
Platforms
Native apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone 8
Mobile Enterprise App Platforms (MEAPs)Allow you to develop the app once and deploy it to a variety of devices with no changes to the underlying business logic
SyBase for broad enterprise SAP solutionsPhoneGap wraps HTML5 apps in native containersjQuery Mobile open source mobile Web frameworkAppcelerator multi-OS app development leveragingWeb-based skill setsUnity 4 powerful gamedevelopment platform with multiplatform publishing
Platforms
Published to iOS, Android & Web via Unity platform
• Choose the platform that fits your needs• Use consistent layouts across platforms,
but use platform-specific UI/UX patterns• Test your apps on as many versions of
the OS and different devices as possible• Be mindful of screen sizes and resolutions
Platform > UX Takeaways
Performance
• Users won’t always have a reliable connection• Be mindful of how long actions requiring
server calls might take and how the end-user will react to waiting for data to load/refresh
• Optimize data for mobile so that it’s fast and can seamlessly integrate with existing IT systems
Performance > Back-end
• Incorporate platform features (location services, maps, messaging, camera), and integrate with other apps and social media
• Create interfaces that are built for touch gestures – this can further enhance an app's functionality and appeal to users
Performance > Platform Integration
Incorporate and integrate with native platform features…
…although iOS6 maps users may end up in Lake Michigan!
Build interfaces for touch gestures to enhance user appeal
• Offline – Users want offline mode features that can take advantage of local storage
• WiFi – Usually a reliable, high-bandwidth connection, so default to WiFi if possible
• Cellular (Edge, 3G, 4G, LTE, etc) – Make sure the app is able to function promptly across all cellular connection types, tier data if needed
Performance > Network Connectivity
Security
– Remote access admin controls– Governance of users
• Role mapping to appropriate apps and data stores
– Compliance rules based on user roles or job functions• Identity management to auto provision/de-provision access to resources
– Network authentication – Password/PIN protection– Use of encryption technologies for
data transfer & local storage on device.– Integration with third-party enterprise security systems
• i.e., Good Technology, MobileIron
Security > App Security & Data Integrity
Remote access admin controls
Governance of users by role mapping to appropriate apps and data stores
PIN protection on app start-up configured by admin
Network authentication via SSO login
SAML login, when access to passwords is restricted by IT
Integration with 3rd party enterprise security systems to comply with IT requirements (secure communications)
Branding
• Ability to customize and manage enterprise brand (custom logo and corporate colors)
• Applied across a suite of apps, or specified individually if needed for separate business units or channel partners/resellers
Branding
Upload logo and select color schemes via admin console, server deploys and updates on all devices
Productivity& Workflows
5 Key UXTakeaways
1. STRATEGIZE Rethink workflows to put mobile productivity first
SmartSearchQuickly search for contacts and discover unknown connections across company-specified fields
SmartConnectReal-time availability
intelligently determines the best way to connect
with colleagues
SmartScheduleEasily schedule meetings
while on the go, seeing coworkers’ availability with
ide-by-side calendar views Dashboard TilesBirthdaysAnniversaries
New Hires FavoritesRecently ViewedMy TeamUp to 3 Custom Tiles
2. IDENTIFYFocus on a few popular tasks that can be used on the go
3. CONTEXTUALIZEDisplay relevant content specific to each user’s situation
4. PERSONALIZEPersonal content accessed smartly via user preferences
My contact preferences My profile page
5. OPTIMIZEKeep it simple and design task-based workflows
• Platform – Choose based on enterprise needs• Performance – Optimize for connectivity• Security – Secure data, app and devices• Branding – Allow minimal customized branding• Productivity & Workflows – 5 UX Keys…
1. Strategize2. Identify3. Contextualize4. Personalize5. Optimize
Mobile Enterprise Apps - Recap
Q&A