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