Feb
21

Why hybrid mobile apps are so popular right now

Save MoneyDid you know that many of the seemingly “native” smartphone apps you use every day aren’t really native apps at all? For example, popular smartphone apps like Facebook, Netflix, and Linkedin (to name a few) are actually hybrid apps–a cross between mobile web apps and native apps. Today, let’s examine the hybrid application approach, and learn why so many businesses are taking that approach.

Now, before I explain hybrid apps, let me first say this: Many businesses turn mobile apps into a bigger and more expensive job than it needs to be. The fact is, mobile web applications are more than enough for most companies, and they’re easier to build, work across all platforms, and can handle most anything that a native app can handle. If your company is considering mobile apps, mobile web apps are most likely the best option.

That being said, some companies actually need (or think they need) native apps. Maybe they need an app that can access the camera or microphone. Maybe they want to place their app in the app store/market. Whatever the reason, if your company needs to build native apps, the hybrid approach will save considerable time and money. Read the rest of this entry »

Feb
20

The Quicksand template wants to animate your business web apps

ProductivityThere’s a great new template in the project exchange that you have to check out. It’s called the “Quicksand template”, and it uses a really cool jQuery effect to bring animated sorting and filtering to your web apps. As you can see from the demo, it creates a pretty slick, yet unique interface.

As with all templates in the project exchange, it’s free for m-Power users. So, if you want to build web applications with this template, head on over to this page and download it. For those that want to learn a little more about the Quicksand Template first, here’s a nice description. Read the rest of this entry »

Feb
17

Weekly recap: 8 best cities for IT jobs, business uses for tablets, and more…

EducationEvery Friday, I share the most interesting and useful tech articles that I’ve found over the past week. This week’s top articles cover a wide range of topics, from changing enterprise software to mobile apps to outsourcing and much more. I hope you find them useful:

9 powerful business uses for tablets
You’ve probably heard all the talk about tablets in the business. The real question is: How can my company use tablets? This slideshow shares some great ideas and examples of ways other companies are using tablets in their business. Read the rest of this entry »

Feb
14

How to use GPS in your mobile web apps

EducationHere’s something you may not know: Did you realize that mobile web apps and native apps are nearly equal in terms of capabilities? It’s true. As you learned in this article from a few weeks back, mobile web apps are much more powerful than most people think.

As promised in that article, I’m going to go through some of those “native” features and explain how to use them in your mobile web apps. Today, let’s take a closer look at the first feature on the list: GPS. Specifically, I’m going to show you how to use GPS in your mobile web apps, and also give you a few ideas on ways to use it.

Ready? Let’s get started… Read the rest of this entry »

Feb
13

A quick way to modernize with a small IT staff

Save TimeWhat’s keeping your company from modernizing those legacy applications? If our 2011 survey is any indication, the answer is “There’s not enough time.” In fact, the survey results show that modernization is the biggest need, but a lack of time keeps most companies from addressing that need.

If your company lacks the time required to modernize your legacy apps, you’ll certainly want to read this story. It explains how one very small IT staff with limited time and resources managed to modernize their legacy green-screen interface quickly. You can read the whole story here.

Feb
10

Weekly recap: 2012′s hottest IT jobs, best tablets for business, and more…

EducationEvery Friday, I share the most interesting and useful tech articles that I’ve found over the past week. This week’s top articles cover a wide range of topics, from tablets to BI to programmer’s personality traits and much more. I hope you find them useful:

2012’s hottest IT jobs by industry (itbusinessedge.com)
These IT job lists are really helpful, both for IT professionals and business leaders. How so? Well, do you want to know which tech trends other companies in your industry are focusing on this year? Check out which tech skills are in the highest demand.

Business Intelligence: What’s in a name? (information-management.com)
Business intelligence has picked up a number of different names over the years, like operational BI, real-time BI, embedded BI, and more. But, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of what Business Intelligence is all about: Making better business decisions.

Today’s CIO: Where business strategy meets IT (forbes.com)
In the past, the IT department kept the company’s technology running smoothly and supported the users. That’s all changing now. The IT department should be a vital part of the business strategy, and it all starts with the CIO.

Programmer personality types: 13 profiles in code (infoworld.com)
A humorous take on the various personalities commonly displayed by programmers. However, it brings up a serious question: Which type is most valuable to a business? My answer: Whichever one solves the most business problems in the shortest amount of time. Very often, that’s the programmer that uses a development tool to improve productivity.

Best tablets for business (informationweek.com)
Tablets are quickly proving that they can provide plenty of benefits to businesses. If your company is considering tablets, this short slideshow outlines a few tablets to consider.

Feb
07

5 big problems caused by bad application architecture

EducationApplication architecture is one of the single most important, yet boring topics you’ll ever run across. You’re not going to make too many friends at a party talking about technology stacks, open frameworks, or any other architecture-related themes. In fact, you’ll probably get a lot of blank stares wherever you talk about those things.

Yet, the difference between good and bad application architecture is mind-blowing. Good architecture is nearly invisible. Everything just works, it’s easy to maintain, and all of your applications operate in perfect harmony.

On the other hand, bad architecture is only invisible at the beginning, but becomes increasingly obvious over time. When you buy a new development tool or begin using pre-built software, the applications may initially work fine. But, if they’re built on bad architecture, problems will quickly arise. What exactly can you expect? Here are 5 costly problems caused by bad application architecture: Read the rest of this entry »

Feb
06

Demo: How to use QR codes in business apps

ProductivityNow that you understand the basics of QR codes and why your company should care, let’s focus on the next step: How can your company use them? We’ve already explored how QR codes are helping the restaurant industry, but today, let’s take a look at an example that applies to a broader audience.

Consider this scenario: It’s 5 p.m. and time to go home. But, you’re stuck in the office analyzing some Business Intelligence reports for your meeting tomorrow. What if you could seamlessly move that report over to your smartphone and analyze it on the train ride home?

You can, with mobile web apps and QR codes. In fact, you can even try it for yourself right now! Just visit this demo site and scan any one of the QR codes with your smartphone or tablet (you’ll need a QR code reader app). You’ll notice that it opens up the same application, but that application looks like it was built for whichever device you’re using. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

How does it work? Each of those applications have three presentation layers: One for PCs, one for smartphones, and one for tablets. The QR code on each application simply links to the application itself. When you scan it, logic placed within the application detects your device and displays the appropriate layer. That way, you’re accessing the same application, but in a format that appears native depending on the device you’re using.

Now, I realize this might sound a little confusing. If you have any questions, or if you just want to learn how to make something like this for your company, we’d be happy to help. Just fill out this short form and let us know what you’re thinking.

Feb
03

Weekly recap: 5 lucrative niches for ambitious developers, mobile apps, and more…

EducationIt’s often difficult to keep track of all the useful tech stories, so once a week, I like to post a weekly tech recap listing some of the more interesting articles that I’ve run across. In this week’s tech recap, you’ll find a common theme: Mobile apps! From mobile app development, to mobile devices in the workplace, these articles will help you better take advantage of mobile in your business. I hope you find them helpful:

5 lucrative niches for ambitious developers (infoworld.com)
While the article lists some good ideas, you can boil it down to one main point: Find a problem that your company is currently facing, and fix it. Take the first point for example. Those that can develop cross-platform mobile apps will certainly be in high demand because it addresses the costly business problem of building separate apps for every platform. What other business problems can you fix with technology?

There’s no app for that, and that’s good (informationweek.com)
Building mobile apps for your business has become the latest IT trend. But, before you go down the native app route, examine the pros and cons. Do you really need a native app? Are you sure you can’t accomplish the same goals with a mobile web app? As we learned last week, mobile web apps are more powerful than you think.

Apple forcing IT departments to ‘adapt or die’ (networkworld.com)
Apple has long been known for their “take it or leave it” attitude. While this works with consumers, how will it translate over to IT departments? Will there be any pushback? As more Apple devices make their way into business, we’re about to find out.

Jan
31

6 “native” features you can use with mobile web apps

EducationWhat’s the difference between a native app and a mobile web app? Let’s start with the basics. A native app is downloaded and installed on the device, while a mobile web app is accessed through the device’s browser. Native apps must be built separately for each platform, while one mobile web app works on every platform.

Following me so far? Now, let’s get into the confusing stuff.

What can a native app do that a mobile web app cannot do? This is where a lot of businesses seem confused. Many believe that mobile web apps are nothing more than a web page running inside of a mobile browser. They believe that native apps are the only way to fully take advantage of the mobile device’s hardware.

The truth is, mobile web apps are capable of much more than most people think.  What can mobile web apps actually do? I’ve created a list of 6 “native” capabilities that many businesses don’t realize are possible with mobile web apps.  Over the next couple of months, I’d like to write up posts covering each point in more detail, with examples and tutorials on how you can add these capabilities to your mobile web apps.  Sound good?  To start things off, let me first share the 6 “native” features that you may not realize you can use with mobile web apps: Read the rest of this entry »

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