Kent company launches app service for businesses

CHATHAM, U.K. - June 26, 2013 - PRLog -- Demand from companies asking about off and on-line mobile applications has led to Chatham-based Netsite launching a new service.

Netsite is now urging companies to consider going ‘mobile’ or risk being left behind by the competition. It is also keen to help people understand the different types of apps and advise on how to make a business case.

Netsite is offering five businesses the opportunity for a free, two-hour brainstorming session to look at how mobile apps could be used to improve their operation (sessions must be taken by 30^th August 2013).

Managing Director Paul Duthoit said: “There’s a real lack of knowledge and confusion about what apps are/do – especially when it comes to people thinking that they all need internet connections to work.

“Apps can be built for a range of services to help improve services to customers, increase efficiency or simply give employees tools to make their work easier and quicker. For instance, one of our clients wants an app to help its engineers make complicated calculations to do with liquid flow out in the field in places where it would be impossible to get a signal.”

However, Paul adds, businesses do need to make sure they have a clear mobile strategy before they invest in mobile apps:

“In the rush to ‘get mobile’ there’s a risk of leaping straight in without thinking and, as a consequence, getting it wrong. As a business, it’s important to carefully analyse your strategy for enterprise mobility. Building a case for enterprise mobile requires time, research, and confidence. When carefully planned and designed, mobile applications can enhance your business through greater efficiency and communication.”

A mobile app is a term used to describe native applications that run on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Apps can run without the use of a mobile internet browser and, generally, without the need for an internet connection.

Smartphones can run all kinds of applications: games (including educational); productivity tools; live TV streams; travel guides; GPS and camera enabled tools; calculators etc. There are hundreds of thousands of apps available for the main smartphone platforms, principally Android, iOS, BlackBerry, HP webOS, Symbian OS, Bada from Samsung, and Windows Mobile.
Netsite advises, when planning an enterprise mobile app, considering the following when developing a business case:
Primary business objectives - Identify the opportunities and business solutions for your enterprise mobile app and evaluate if a mobile app is even necessary for what you’re trying to achieve. Will your app support customers or will it be used by employees to increase productivity? Also consider how you will measure results and adapt your mobile app according to your circumstances.
Target users - Who will your target users be? What operating systems and devices will you need to develop your mobile apps for?
Infrastructure support - Do you have the infrastructure to support your app's needs? Do you need to provide training? Will your employees support the changes needed?
Budget - Evaluate the costs associated with your enterprise app. Not only do you need to take into account development costs, but you also have to plan for maintenance, updates, hosting, marketing, hardware, etc.
Identify a team - Developing, deploying and maintaining a mobile app is a team effort. Decide who will be responsible for seeing the app through to finish. Will it be IT, marketing or CRM? Or will it consist of a combination of teams? Regardless, be sure that you have the right people leading the charge so mobile is integrated at a fundamental level.

Paul adds: “Because of the costs and risks associated with mobile, many IT heads and finance departments may opt to hold back from integrating mobile into their business. This may present an even greater risk of falling behind competition. The market is evolving rapidly and if you don’t go mobile or at least consider it, you may well slip behind.”

Chatham-based Netsite offers a range of digital services. The company was established 16 years ago and has clients including the NHS, Rochester Avionic Archives, Crewsaver and The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

ENDS

For further information contact Suzi Christie at Blueberry PR on 01435 830031 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk