Mobility has to be one of the most common buzz words as far as conference rooms are concerned. CEOs and managers want mobility. And yet, as popular as it is, everyone you meet has a different perception of the concept!
That being said, SAP’s Mobility Solutions are by far, the simplest and the most commonly used method of mobilizing your workforce, assets, inventory, resources, etc. Here’s what you need to know to incorporate mobility into your firm.
What is UX?
Let’s start with the basics; if you’ve ever read the SAP user manual, the first term you would’ve come across is UX. SAP applications and platforms are designed with the sole objective of enhancing the UX (User eXperience).
Not only does the UX hold significant emotional value (as it enhances user satisfaction by simplifying employee and customer engagement) but it also has a substantial financial impact on your company. A good UX directly translates to increased productivity and reduced training costs!
Your Journey to SAP Mobility:
Now that we know that our object is to enhance the end-user experience, we can start by defining goals that lead to that effect. Begin your SAP Mobility journey by asking yourself these important questions:
1. When to Begin?
It’s an open secret that companies operating in the open market are rushing to integrate mobility into their business model. In fact, if numbers posted in Gartner’s 2017 Annual Report are to be believed then by 2020 more than 75% of companies will have a minimum of one application in development in an attempt to conquer the digital market.
This stat shows that time is of the essence and that your business should already have plans to enhance its mobility.
2. Where to Start?
We understand that taking the first step can be extremely overwhelming as there are countless factors and variables that you have to plan for. This is why strongly recommend adopting an approach that starts off with basic apps and continues adding increasingly complicated applications to your portfolio.
For example, you can always start by developing simple apps that focus primarily on FI, AP, and MM. However, with time we want you to spread your wings and try on more adventurous and creative ventures. Set an end goal of X number of apps in Y number of years and take the steps necessary to accomplish this goal.
3. Which Application App Works for You?
It goes without saying that not applications are created equally. Generally speaking, there are 3 different types of applications, each with their own strengths and weakness.
- Native App
As its name suggests, native applications are used primarily for customer facing applications. As a rule of thumb, these applications should be easy to operate, offer full device access and provide offline support and market store information. The launch of native apps is always a good stepping stone for any long-term mobility plan
- Hybrid App
Hybrid apps are necessary when an application requires access to other applications. For example, how the camera application in your phone requires permission to access and store new images in the gallery application on your phone.
These apps are incredibly powerful and robust as they come packed with numerous plug-ins that make things easier for your customers and enhance the end-user experience. These applications cost less than native apps and offer offline support and code portability.
- Web App
On the other side of the spectrum, we have web applications that require access to the internet (i.e. no offline support offered). These applications are used for a variety of different purposes such as for carrying out operational and transactional tasks.
Now that you’re aware of the different types of applications available at your disposal, you can easily identify the type of app that works for your business team. Inform your IT team and external advisors (if any) of your goals and work to achieve your targets.
4. Who to Involve?
By far, the most important aspect to consider when developing your SAP mobility strategy is the external firms that you want on board to simplify the integration of new applications. Make sure that these IT firms are flexible, have an in-depth knowledge of the industry that you operate in, and have a proven track record of success.
If you’re currently in the market for SAP specialists that can help you develop and implement a robust Mobility strategy, then look no further than Crave InfoTech. We’ve been involved with SAP since 2007 and have all the tools need to guarantee a smooth transition.
We offer numerous SAP Mobile solutions such as Maintenance applications, Mobile Inventory and Warehouse Management solutions, and Rapid Deployment Solutions, etc. that increase your chances of performing well in the open market!
Get in touch with us today to guarantee the successful implementation of your mobility strategy!