How Enterprise Mobile Apps can help with Productivity and Collaboration (with examples)

Calibraint

Author

June 17, 2024

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, mobile applications have become indispensable tools for driving enterprise growth and enhancing user experience. As enterprises strive to stay competitive, integrating innovative features in mobile apps is crucial. These features not only improve functionality but also add significant value to business processes. 

This blog explores key features of enterprise mobile apps that are transforming them from both technical and business-oriented perspectives.

Augmented Reality Enterprise Apps:

AR overlays digital information onto the real world, creating interactive and immersive experiences. In the enterprise realm, AR can revolutionize various applications such as remote maintenance, product visualization, and training simulations.

Technical Aspects of AR Enterprise Apps:

• Leveraging platforms like ARKit (iOS) and ARCore (Android) simplifies the development of AR experiences.
• Markerless tracking uses the environment for object placement, while marker-based tracking relies on predefined images or objects.
• Efficient rendering and manipulation of 3D objects ensure a seamless user experience along with other features of enterprise mobile apps.

Business Benefits of AR Enterprise Apps:

• AR apps can display step-by-step instructions and critical equipment data directly in a technician’s field of view allowing remote experts to guide on-site personnel through complex procedures, reducing downtime and improving repair efficiency. 
• AR can help people highlight specific components or areas of interest in physical equipment, allowing technicians to pinpoint problems and diagnose issues faster.
• AR allows customers to visualize products in their environment, enhancing understanding and engagement. 

Popular AR mobile app launched by enterprises: 

Ikea has launched an AR app that allows customers to virtually place furniture in their homes before purchasing. This helps with design decisions and ensures furniture fits the intended space. Even Amazon has rolled out an AR update for their eCommerce app. Being one of the most useful features of enterprise mobile apps, it lets users to immersively interact with the product. 

Virtual Reality Enterprise Apps:

VR technology is no longer restricted just for gaming enthusiasts. VR creates fully immersive digital environments, offering unique value for enterprises, such as virtual prototyping, immersive learning experiences, and as well as opportunities to explore the features of enterprise mobile apps. Let’s delve into the exciting realm of VR enterprise apps: 

Technical Aspects of VR Enterprise Apps: 

• Utilizing platforms like Cardboard and Daydream enables the creation of VR experiences.
• Ensuring compatibility with head-mounted displays (HMDs) is crucial for user immersion providing a seamless fit and wide field of view.
• Optimizing 3D environments enhances user engagement and performance. 
• Balancing detail with efficient rendering keeps frame rates high for a smooth and stutter-free VR experience as this translates to better user engagement and reduces the risk of motion sickness.

Advantages of VR Apps for Enterprises:

• Virtual prototyping cuts costs associated with physical prototypes.
• VR simulations allow safe practice of hazardous situations.
• VR facilitates immersive onboarding experiences, aiding familiarization with the features of enterprise mobile apps and companies for new employees.  

Examples of Enterprise mobile apps using VR technology: 

Boeing utilizes VR to train pilots on emergency procedures and various aircraft systems. This immersive training reduces costs associated with traditional flight simulator training and allows pilots to practice in a safe, controlled environment. VR apps are also taking the real estate industry by storm as they offer a whole new experience for buyers with some useful features of enterprise mobile apps. Learn more about how VR apps are modernizing the real estate industry in this blog. 

Biometrics Apps for Enterprises:

Biometrics technology is revolutionizing the way businesses approach security and user authentication. By leveraging unique physical or behavioral traits, biometrics apps for enterprises offer a secure and convenient solution for a variety of needs. Biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, and iris scanning, provide secure and efficient ways to verify user identities.

Technical Aspects of Biometric Enterprise Apps:

• APIs simplify the incorporation of biometric features into mobile apps.
• Ensuring encrypted storage of biometric data is vital for security as these unique identifiers are nearly impossible to replicate, significantly reducing unauthorized access risks.
• Managing user consent is crucial for compliance with privacy regulations.

Business Benefits of Biometric Apps for Enterprises:

• Biometrics enhance security by reducing reliance on passwords.
• Faster, more secure logins improve user satisfaction.
• Decreasing password reliance cuts administrative overhead. 
• Biometrics can be used to verify user identity during online transactions, adding an extra layer of security for financial processes for remote employees.  

Examples of Biometrics on enterprise mobile apps: 

Microsoft Windows users have access to Windows Hello, a biometric authentication system, to securely access company email, financial systems, and other sensitive applications on Windows devices.  

Many popular hospitals leverage iris scanners to grant access to secure areas like pharmacies and operating rooms, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter. This ensures the restriction of unauthorized personnel accessing hospital resources and also eliminates the need for the personnel to carry physical IDs.

Blockchain-based Enterprise Apps:

Blockchain technology offers secure and transparent ways to manage data and transactions, making it ideal for enterprise applications like supply chain tracking and tamper-proof record keeping.

Technical Considerations:

• Platforms such as Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum provide robust frameworks for blockchain integration.
• Creating and deploying smart contracts automates processes and ensures integrity.
• Effective key management is essential for blockchain security.

Advantages of Integrating Blockchain for Enterprises:

• Blockchain ensures traceability and transparency in business processes.
• Immutable records will be one of the features of enterprise mobile apps using blockchain technology as it enhances data security and trust.
• Blockchain facilitates secure and efficient collaboration with partners and vendors. 
• The tamper-proof nature of blockchain makes it almost impossible to alter data records which significantly reduces the risk of fraud and counterfeit goods entering the supply chain. 

Real-world example of Blockchain Enterprise Apps: 

Walmart has partnered with IBM to implement a blockchain-based platform for tracking food products. This system allows them to trace the origin of food items like mangoes within seconds, ensuring food safety and faster response times in case of contamination concerns.  

Ripple is a blockchain development company that aims to provide a platform for cross-border payments.  Financial institutions like Santander are using RippleNet, built on blockchain technology, to facilitate faster and more affordable international payments for their customers.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Enterprise Apps

ML and AI are rapidly transforming the way businesses operate. By integrating these technologies into enterprise mobile apps, companies can unlock a new level of functionality and intelligence by transforming the way we interact with technology.  These technologies enable predictive analytics, personalized recommendations, and intelligent automation in enterprise mobile apps. 

Here’s a closer look at how ML and AI are revolutionizing enterprise mobile apps through real-world examples:

Technical Considerations:

• Frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch support the development and deployment of ML models.
• Proper data management is crucial for training accurate models.
• Optimizing and deploying models ensures efficient and effective AI solutions.

Benefits of Integrating ML and AI into Mobile Apps for Enterprises:

• AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify trends and patterns, providing valuable insights to inform business decisions. 
• Predictive analytics optimize maintenance routines and reduce operations costs.
• AI-powered chatbots provide responsive and personalized customer interactions.
• Personalized recommendations improve user engagement and satisfaction.  
• ML can automate repetitive tasks within the mobile app, freeing up employee time for more strategic activities.

Examples of Enterprise Apps using ML and AI: 

Netflix app offers personalized recommendations on the go by leveraging ML algorithms to deliver a highly personalized user experience. The app analyzes user data, such as watch history, ratings, and browsing behavior. This data helps ML models understand user preferences and predict what content they’re likely to enjoy. This eliminates the need for users to sift through a vast library and helps them discover new content they’ll love.  

Sephora offers a mobile app with an AI-powered beauty assistant chatbot. This chatbot allows customers to virtually try on makeup using augmented reality, receive personalized product recommendations based on skin type and preferences, and get answers to product-related questions – all within the mobile app. 

IoT Integration with Enterprise Mobile Apps

The Internet of Things is revolutionizing various industries by connecting everyday objects to the Internet, enabling them to collect and share data.  Enterprise mobile apps are the perfect platform to leverage this data and unlock its potential.  Here’s a deeper dive into IoT integration with enterprise mobile apps:

Technical Considerations:

• Utilizing protocols and platforms ensures seamless IoT connectivity.
• Ensuring secure communication between devices is critical.
• Efficient management of IoT devices enhances performance and reliability.

Business Advantages:

• IoT provides actionable insights for informed decision-making as mobile apps can receive and visualize data from connected devices in real time. 
• Real-time monitoring optimizes asset management and maintenance.
• Connected tools improve productivity in field operations. 
• By analyzing sensor data from equipment, mobile apps can predict potential failures and schedule maintenance before breakdowns occur.   

Examples of IoT-based Enterprise Apps:

The FedEx Mobile app exemplifies how IoT integration streamlines supply chain visibility and delivery management. Packages are equipped with tiny IoT sensors that transmit location data through cellular networks. The app leverages this data to provide real-time updates on a shipment’s location, from pickup to delivery.   

AliveCor offers a mobile app that connects with a specialized smartwatch equipped with an ECG sensor. This sensor captures the electrical activity of the heart. Also, doctors can remotely monitor patients’ heart health through the app, reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. This improves patient convenience and allows doctors to manage larger patient loads effectively. 

Conclusion

The integration of innovative features like AR, VR, advanced biometrics, blockchain, ML, AI, and IoT is transforming enterprise mobile apps, and enhancing user experience and business processes. As these features of enterprise mobile apps continue to evolve, they offer unprecedented opportunities for enterprises to innovate and stay competitive. 

We encourage business professionals to explore these technologies and incorporate them into their mobile app strategies to unlock new levels of efficiency, engagement, and value.

Calibraint

Author

June 17, 2024