Why a Mobile Facilities Management App is Better Than a Web-Based One
There’s no denying the rapid evolution taking place in the work force. What once was a predominately paper-based workplace that housed all employees within four walls has quickly transformed into a mobile one. Employees are now working from remote places away from the main office, and technology has taken over as the main form of communication and data storage.
Facilities managers need to keep up with the demands of the changing workplace, particularly in streamlining day-to-day activities to stay on top of things and ensure that all processes are highly efficient. Maintaining optimal productivity is imperative. We’ve all come to rely heavily on our mobile phones to maintain constant access to each member of our teams, but this only goes so far when it comes to getting the job done. There are often times when certain information needs to be accessed, shared or updated, but can’t be unless you’re sitting in front of your laptop. Now your mobile device can take the place of your computer while you’re out and about.
Mobile websites have quickly become mainstream in all facets of business and commerce, and have their long list of benefits. Yet they still come with their own set of limitations, which is where mobile apps, such as iOffice’s mobile facilities management application can step in and pick up the slack.
Big Businesses Are Using Apps – Why Not Yours?
While the idea of using a mobile app for business may sound like a relatively new tactic, big businesses have actually been using them for years. Big companies like Amazon, Target, Starbucks and even 7-Eleven have been taking advantage of apps for their businesses for quite some time, which has helped them increase their web presence, connect quickly with customers, and make the mobile browsing experience much more positive and effective.
But mobile apps aren’t just for the big-wigs. Smaller businesses have been jumping on the band wagon, making use of mobile apps for their own companies, which can range anywhere from auto dealerships, to hair salons, to real estate offices and more. No business type is off limits.
Every FM strives to streamline the workplace in order to make it more efficient and productive without having to spend countless hours managing it. Here are just a few reasons why mobile apps trump mobile websites when it comes to saving time and increasing productivity in the workplace.
Want to learn more about how facilities management apps can help your business? Visit our mobile app page.
Mobile Apps Function Offline
Mobile apps make it possible to function offline without any Wi-Fi reception. Having to find a spot with internet connection can be a waste of time and energy. Instead, an app can be launched anywhere, anytime. Mobile apps can store data locally on a device, allowing you to continue interacting with colleagues and employees even when no connections are available. When you open the app, it will effectively contain all the current information needed until the next time it is ‘synced’ to the internet for new information.
Mobile Apps Are Instantly Launched
Browsing a mobile website requires you to launch a web browser, type in your URL, and wait for the site to load. On the flip side, an app only takes a second to launch because most of the information is stored in the application itself. Since apps are downloaded onto your mobile device instead of being streamed online like a website, access is faster, and there’s less chance of crashing. Instead of spending time waiting for the information you’re seeking (while using a mobile website) you could instead use a mobile app and be working to complete a task, communicate with co-workers, and collaborate with colleagues.
Mobile Apps Are Always Visible on Your Phone’s Home Page
Once you’ve downloaded the app onto your mobile device, it will stay there for good (until you delete it, of course!). Each time you turn on your mobile device, the app will appear on the screen. You will not need to fiddle through all the icons available because the app is in easy view and can quickly be accessed with a simple touch of the screen.
Mobile websites feature a limitation in optimization, compared to mobile apps which are more easily navigated. Since mobile apps can be more focused on the particular abilities of each individual mobile device, apps provide a much more personalized experience than a mobile site.
Mobile Apps Are Available in App Stores
Apps appear in app marketplaces, like iPhone’s App Store or Google Play Apps. They can be easily downloaded from such online stores, making the accessibility of apps superior to mobile sites that require manual searching for a particular web page.
Mobile Apps: A More Affordable and Effective Means of Reaching Out
Facilities managers can make good use of mobile apps in order to improve processes. The goal of a mobile app is to effortlessly connect and interact with employees within a business, which makes this tool an invaluable one for the modern workplace. Mobile apps make communication much more cost-effective and efficient. The way we all socially interact with one another is now challenged through mobile apps which give us the opportunity to share information more quickly and easily.
With the power that a mobile app has for any given business, it just makes sense to make use of these incredibly useful tools. The ability for a facilities manager to instantly access an app such as iOffice’s mobile facilities management software, download it and immediately access information stored on it is an invaluable asset to any workplace. Not only can a tool such as this make the FM’s job a lot easier, it will also have a positive effect on the company’s bottom line.
