"Half of adult cell phone owners have apps on their phones. The percent who download apps nearly doubles in two years…

In addition…the current survey included questions about mobile app use on tablet computers. It finds that among the 10% of adults who currently own a tablet, three-quarters (75%) report downloading apps to their tablet. "

Source: "Pew Internet & American Life Apps Update Report" by Kristen Purcell, November 2, 2011

Know it or not, your customers, students and community are using mobile devices and mobile applications. Mobile apps have become a necessary tool for your organization, especially as the use of smartphones and tablets continue to grow at a fast rate.

"I think mobile is playing a key role in bridging those gaps between people who have that broadband connection at home and people that don't. It really gives people an economically viable opportunity to tap into the online world that they wouldn't normally have," says Aaron Smith, speaking on FederalNewsRadio.com. Mr. Smith is a research specialist at the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

How are you leveraging these tools to grow your organization and find increased productivity? There is more to mobile apps than you might think. There are several ways to develop a mobile application and several ways the app can help your organization. These different approaches affect end-user reach, application use, quality of the application and price of development. You do not have to explore your options alone.

Web Teks Can Help

Web Teks brings over a decade of experience to our customers, helping them navigate emerging technologies. Web Teks believes that successful, strategic mobile applications start with well-defined objectives, processes and methodologies. We help you understand the mobile frontier and help you build the business case for connecting with your audience using an appropriate mobile solution for your organization.

Native (Platform-specific) or Cross-Platform Apps

"Native" apps refer to applications that are made specifically for the individual mobile device’s operating system, using technology specific to that platform. For example, many developers are creating native apps for iPhone and/or iPads only and not expanding into the other mobile platforms. To use that same developed iPhone app on an Android or Blackberry device, the developer needs to build an additional app using the operating system tools specific to either the Android or BlackBerry. This can be the right solution, if an organization needs to leverage functionality on the device (i.e., GPS, camera, etc.). This type of application can be the right choice; however, it depends on several factors: the business need, audience use, security issues, budget and time constraints.

"Cross Platform" apps refer to a single application that is developed to be utilized on different mobile devices and operating platforms using technology that is not native to each device. Common technologies used for cross-platform apps include HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. Web Teks can provide you the proficiency and capabilities to handle every facet of your mobile application needs -- including strategy, design, development and deployment.

Contact Web Teks to learn more about our Mobile Application services and let us help you today.