Thoughts in building bespoke mobile applications

1. enterprise mobile applications, one-size does not fit all

2. having an enterprise mobile strategy is important

3. in some cases, a necessity

4. it is rapidly becoming the default way to access information

5. http://gigaom.com/2010/04/12/mary-meeker-mobile-internet-will-soon-overtake-fixed-internet/

6. and needs to be well thought through

7. it is not just a case of 're-hashing' current desktop applications to mobile devices.

8. sometimes referred as the 'mini-me' approach

9. we do not do the 'mini-me' approach

10. like some do

11. 'mini-me' development is lazy

12. it looks ugly

13. with poor usability

14. and no one will use it

15. so the problem in building mobile applications for the enterprise

16. is not in the technology

17. but in the design

18. just what is good design?

19. give users what they want, when they want it.

20. the ability to easily access their data anywhere, anytime

21. for us, that means

22. approach design as a information-architecture problem

23. not a technology problem

24. enterprise mobile applications should

25. allow users to simply navigate and make decisions

26. users do not want to dig through a complex application

27. to find the tiny bit of information they want

28. so in building a 'mini-me' application

29. you are wasting your time

30. and money!

31. design a unique mobile content model

32. understand the available hardware features

33. educate the intended users on the hardware features

34. compass, gps, 3g, wi-fi, microphone, images, video ++ more

35. build ideas with the users promote innovation

36. brainstorm new features to enhance the business requirements

37. think about

38. new ways of working

39. new way to streamline current processes

40. new ways to visualise your data

41. but never, ever

42. over 'feature' an application

43. evaluate all the requirement features and then ask

44. do you really need this on a mobile platform?

45. 'feature' overload leads to

46. an extremely complex application

47. that no-one will use and it will fail

48. make it usable

49. mobile hardware come in all shapes and sizes

50. laptop, tablet, smart phone

51. portrait and landscape screens

52. some have touch-screens, some have micro keyboards, some have both!

53. what is the optimal way for the user to perform a task?

54. human-computer interaction analysis is crucial for product adoption

55. provide the user with the easiest way to complete their task

56. with the least number of steps

57. four: do not forget the design

58. your mobile workers are just as important, never forget that!

59. design is important

60. ask apple

61. spending time in usability

62. means little if the application does not look sexy

63. a good looking, well designed application

64. draw the user to it

65. the user wants to be seen using it

66. so, to summaise

67. innovate and think creative.

68. define a clear information architecture.

69. create compelling and usable mobile content, or don't bother

70. is available all the time

71. design for the platform. it is called mobile design, not 'mini-me' design.

72. contact w: turinproject.com t: @turinproject fb: bit.ly/turinprojectfacebook