If you build it…
Just as apps are simple to use, they're (relatively) simple to create; you don't need a platoon of white-coated boffins to show you what to do. Software is available for regular folks and in-house IT teams who feel they can build their own, or for those who want more complex bespoke applications, specialist programmers are easily found.
For those with a DIY bent, software architect Brian LeRoux offers five pointers:
1. Keep the interface simple and tidy. Screen real estate is always at a premium on a smartphone or tablet screen.
2. Remember your users. Keep the user experience in mind and make sure your app's workflow is thoroughly tested.
3. Select a build approach. A decision for your tech team, you can opt for browser-based, use a core programming language, or a mix of both. This will depend on the skills available and your app's complexity.
4. Test, test and test again. Get the bugs out. Don't release an untested product if you want to keep your users happy. Even a bug-fix won't get some unhappy users to return if an app has already proved itself unreliable.
5. Learn to submit. Learn about any software submission or certification processes ahead of time, and make sure you understand the review procedures.
These connected devices enable users to perform previously unimaginable tasks at the tap of a few buttons. And hardware that once filled a whole room now fits into your pocket.
related information. In this sense, apps are true game- changers: institutions, brands and corporations alike can now offer customers a branded, one-stop app from which users can access all the information that they require. Custom-designed and tailored to their audience, apps
enable businesses to build loyalty, engage and retain customers through direct communications, and simplify transactions across a wide range of products and services. St.George Bank, for example, offers apps for all major
smartphone platforms. Customers can check account balances, transfer funds (within Australia and overseas), pay bills, schedule payments, locate ATMs, and more. Cost-effective and efficient, apps not only extend a business's reach, but also help enable customers to connect with your brand and services no matter where they are.
12 George www.stgeorge.com.au/george
