SLXMobile needs to be an 'App'

[#1]

Before you crucify me, I'm not advocating writing the SLXMobile in native iPad, iPhone, et al languages....

What I'm suggesting (the idea) is that the SLXMobile Icon needs to appear in my list \ pages of iconized Apps on my mobile device.....click\touch the app and it automagically launches the supported browser, goes to the stored settings URL, etc.

We need to get beyond the open the browser, type in a URL, type in a UserName password login info stuff....KISS for the user, it's what they're used to (LinkedIn, FaceBook, et al), and it's much easier when on a train to downtown. One Thumb operation to get to the SLXMobile App Icon, click on it, presented with your Account list (or what have you).

AND

You can download the app and Search for it in the app store (did someone say MARKETING?). Reviews, hits, buzz, etc.

[#2]

I did several test runs putting SLXMobile into Phonegap (now Apache Callback) using the android build and it worked fine, so I think going forward something along Phonegaps lines would be the best approach.

The only catch is you would need seperate builds for iOS, Android, Blackberry, webOS, bada... and go through with the licensing costs (ex: Apple), and whatever review process. Then you have the issues of the security warnings, back when I did testing Phonegap required a lot of functionality that wasn't in use (which shows scary messages when installing) -- this was around June 2011 so it may have changed.

Personally, on my android (2.3) what I do is:

1. Touch/hold on my home screen

2. Choose 'Add Shortcut'

3. Web URL/Bookmark

4. Type in SLX/select from my bookmark list

and then it adds an "app" to my homescreen with the favicon as the app icon. It doesn't appear in the "All Apps" list but it's a one button approach.

For iOS i believe you can do this:

http://www.apple.com/webapps/whatarewebapps.html

For Blackberry 7:

1. Open browser, go to page

2. Tap the browser icon at the top

3. Select 'Add to Home Screen'

4. Choose an icon

and then it is added under 'All Apps' and 'Favorites' (if you checked the box)

I've done this for most of my "web only apps" that don't have a native version, or if I prefer the web version.

Not exactly a solution per say - just a temp fix that some people find useful until a more advanced (wrapping the web code in a native client) solution is explored.

[#3]

Thanks for the feedback, RJ!

I can assure you that a native version of the mobile applicaiton has been discussed extensively and currently has a place in our backlog for some point in the future. Not really a separate app, it would be a hybrid that maintains the primary HTML/CSS/JavaScript code-base, wrapped in a native shell that provides access to additional device functionality.

There is a technology hurdle to clear before we start offering a hybrid application: customization support. Once we have fully dynamic customization support in place, we'll be able to provide a more clear estimate on when you'll likely see a hybrid application available out of the box.

As Tony said, we've tested our app with PhoneGap/Callback, so we know it's compatible with that technology. I've also done a test build using the cloud-based PhoneGap:Build (https://build.phonegap.com/), and we were compatible with all of the devices except BlackBerry (apparently we need to make changes to our file naming conventions to support an "auto-build" for that environment). We could potentially offer App Architect integration to PhoneGap Build down the road, which would make it easier for partniers/customers to convert a customized SalesLogix Mobile client into a native application.

We're also considering building and open-sourcing a sample phonegap project, perhaps with camera integration, should you be interested in creating your own "native' SalesLogix web client.

Thanks,

Jeff

[#4]

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RJSamp wrote:

We need to get beyond the open the browser, type in a URL, type in a UserName password login info stuff....KISS for the user

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I think the shortcut on the homescreen addresses this need as Tony pointed out. It would be neat to get the reviews and feedback features of the app store, but our audiences should have a more direct route to provide feedback anyway - which they do through support, their partner, etc.

Good comment/idea RJ! If you aren't adding this to your customers "homescreens" then we should! I will ask Kristin to add this to our training for the mobile course.

[#5]

Thanks Jason! I meant to address that issue as well. We'll look into including that information in the release documentation, also.

[#6]

Awesome guys!

My idea is this really doesn't have to be much more than a SHELL....may have nothing to do with customizations, hybridization, etc.

Blue Sage SalesLogix icon

Https URL for the SLXMobile app

UserName

Password

and an interface to put in the settings and store it on the iPhone\Android\et al

click on the icon and it launches Safari to the right URL and .....away we go.....

From the Marketing standpoint.......why not sell $35 / month single user  SLXMobile Cloud licenses.....each user has their own SeccodeID.....their own TACO records.....not a separate database but a joint database....

[#7]

Let's go one step further.....SLX Mobile needs the ability to be launched like an App......not just have a shell \ Icon for an App.

The means bypass the login screen through some type of command line driven Method.....

We need to use the native app\hardware securtiy hooks to log on to secure Networks, VPN Tunnels, etc. to get at some sort of SSL web site.....SSO kinds of stuff.....and open up SalesLogix Mobile 2.1 to the SLX Mobile Home Page for that user.....automagically.....even better, go to the Last Page Displayed to that user in SLX Mobile....allow them to.start up where they  left off.

My client's aren't interested in yet another log in screen for an 'application' that's actually running on their IntraNet web servers......SLX Mobile isn't a seperate animal....it's just another web page in their Company web site.

Make Sense?