As I've talked about before we all make mistakes. Even though enterprise mobility isn't a new term, many business executives are still learning the ropes when it comes to deploying mobile applications. The benefits of mobilization in the enterprise are well documented - increased revenue, employee retention and happier customers are just a few. However, when mobile strategies fail it costs businesses precious time and a lot of money.
At Taptera, we've done countless mobile application deployments and wanted to share a few "lessons learned" that could help others avoid common pitfalls.
Poor partnership with the security team
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is one of the hottest trends in the enterprise and is showing now signs of cooling off. As more employees bring their own smartphone, tablet or laptop into the workforce, security remains a serious concern. Enterprises transitioning to BYOD should look to partner with developers that offer compelling security features in their products.
Analytics
Data. It's the only other enterprise trend gaining more attention than BYOD right now. Mobile applications can provide businesses with a wealth of data analytics that provide immediate, relevant insight into user behavior. Start thinking about analytics early in the development phase, not the day your app goes live. Collecting and analyzing data during your app's initial testing period can improve the user experience and create a stronger app out of the gate.
Engaging UX Late
Whether checking a bank balance or turning on the security system when we are away, apps have become an everyday part of our lives. As the enterprise becomes more consumerized, users expect enterprise apps to function the same - fast, secure and easy to use. Consider the user experience during the initial planning phases and continue to incorporate real feedback into the development process. You'd be surprised the number of projects that deploy, only to find that users aren't using the app the way the developer thought they would.
Failing to Operationalize
It happens to even the savviest business. Your company has a marathon planning session that everyone leaves feeling energized to execute a new strategy and then reality sets in. The vision and goals have been outlined, but nobody knows how to implement that strategy to produce the desired outcome. You've failed to operationalize. Businesses can avoid this all too common trap by evaluating the current knowledge base that exists within the company first and turning to outside resources if needed.
Dismissing Content Management Systems
The definition of content is changing. In addition to traditional word and PDF files, companies now have to consider how to manage video, images, audio recordings - the list goes on and on. In addition to managing different file types, companies are also faced with the challenge of ensuring their mobile document management solution works seamlessly with its other chosen solutions. When evaluating mobile content management systems, it's important to find one that can handle all types of content and support all iOS content formats.
No mobile application deployment is the same, but these are just a few warning signs that your mobile strategy might be headed down the wrong track. For businesses, it is important to remember that simple applications lead to greater adoption and are more impactful on the bottom line.