How Mobile Enterprise Apps can Transform Your Business
The rapid growth of mobile devices, teamed with the expansion of cloud computing and advancements in mobile device security, has led to large organisations using mobile apps within their company to help boost staff productivity and make their processes more efficient. According to Antenna Software, 43% of companies are currently working on a mobile app for their customers, while 42% are developing internal apps for their employees; highlighting the emphasis organisations are placing on
Mobile apps are no longer confined to customer engagement strategies and marketing campaigns, but are now being considered for internal purposes. Large corporations are evaluating how they can use bespoke mobile apps within their business to streamline processes and to improve staff productivity. A large brand might have a number of consumer-facing mobile apps, but they might require a much larger number of apps for their employees. Genentech, a company who are embracing bespoke enterprise apps, expect to have 500 employee-facing apps by 2015. Via crowdsourcing, Genentech is asking employees to vote for their favourite app ideas and the most popular ones will get developed. Examples include apps for meeting room booking or recording expenses.
It’s essential that once these apps are in use, businesses are monitoring how their employees are using them; through analytics and also through customer feedback. Businesses need to understand how their staff are utilising these apps to ensure they are being used to their full potential and to work out how they can be improved moving forwards.
As businesses like Genentech are starting to see the potential ROI of enterprise apps, we predict that there will be a rise in demand for entire suites of apps. This is happening for a number of reasons. Firstly, apps that have been developed by one department are being held up as best in class for delivering real business value: other departments are taking note and considering what mobile could do for them. Secondly, because of the increase in mass mobile device deployments across organisations, businesses at the start of this process are considering their entire mobility roadmap and ecosystem from the outset to gain the maximum return from these deployments.
Businesses also need to consider the management of the apps on personal devices and how employees may react to having these apps on their personal devices. Mobile security is a key consideration and whether a business opts for Bring-Your-Own Device (BYOD) or enterprise-owned devices, they need to make sure their devices, and the applications on the devices, are sufficiently protected against potential security risks.
Mobile enterprise apps are enabling organisations to increase employee productivity regardless of time or location, and, more importantly, they are transforming business processes and putting companies ahead of those who haven’t started to consider their mobile strategy. Whether it’s through a compelling sales presentation tool, or an internal expenses app for employees; there are many ways in which businesses can add value through enterprise mobile apps. Businesses should be focusing on how they can make the most out of mobile within their organisation, and the value that enterprise mobile apps may be able to add.