Tag: business apps

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B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Push Notifications

Why Do You Need Push Notifications?

Push notifications can make a huge impact on your company’s success. But first, before we get into why you need push notifications, you may ask, what exactly is a push notification?
Push notifications, also know as push messages are a brief message or alert that is sent to a user’s notification panel through a mobile app and allows you to reach a large audience at one time. Push notifications are a great marketing tool that enhances your mobile app because it allows you to engage with your users in real time.That said, there are many reasons why you need push notifications.
 

Here are the top 4 reasons:

1.Push notifications enhance the user experience
Aside from using push notifications as a marketing tool, push notifications can be used to improve your user experience. This can be as simple to sending messages to notify your users about news, sports and weather alerts, contests and programming events.
2. Push notifications increase engagement, acquisition, and retention
Push notifications as a marketing tool have one of the highest open rates. Since push notifications don’t happen as often people are more likely to opt-in. Sending out the right number and highly relevant messages increases your customer engagement.
3. Push notifications allow you to notify your users based on topics
Topic based messages help you decided when to send certain messages. Since you don’t want to slam your users with too many notifications, topics help decides when to send certain messages.
4. Push notifications allow you to create targeted messages to your users
To create successful push notifications, you have to make sure that each notification speaks to your audiences. It’s easy to send targeted push messages because with permission your app will have access to your user’s profile.
We offer push notifications that are affordable, easy to use, and give you what you need without having to pay for a lot of features you don’t need. In the past year, other push messaging providers have really cranked up their prices, making this important function unaffordable for many.  We can provide you with a great system that’s not only affordable but designed with broadcasters in mind.
If you want more information about jācapps’ push messaging system, contact Sari Zalesin at Sari@jacapps.com

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications

Join us at NAB!

Connect with us at the NAB Show, Where Content Comes to Life in Las Vegas, NV, April 6-11, 2019!
NAB is the ultimate event for media, entertainment, and technology professionals looking for new and innovative ways to create, manage, deliver and monetize content on any platform. The NAB Show is the best place to be to learn all the new ins and outs about media, entertainment, and technology.
Our jācapps and Jacobs Media teams attend every year, and one thing our teams have noticed is that one of the best things that NAB does is bring together the entire media world. This includes professionals from all different industries, including; advertising, app development, artificial intelligence, audio, augmented reality, broadcast, cable, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, digital video, digital signage, eLearning esports, film, game development, government and military, houses of worship, in-vehicle entertainment, IOT, IT, live events, mixed reality, mobile, online video, podcasting, post-production, radio, retail, social media, sports, streaming, system integration, television, virtual reality, 5G, and more! Six full days of the opportunity to get your hands on the latest technology, but thats not all…
We would love to meet one-on-one with you to discuss your companies mobile and digital strategy!
Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or call us at 248-353-9030 to schedule a meeting and take your business to the next level in the mobile and digital world!
We can’t wait to see you at NAB this year!!

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press

Improve the App Security for Your Healthcare Applications

In the healthcare industry, patients are increasingly requesting access to their own healthcare information. Clinics can benefit from providing their patients this information, with one caveat: it has to be kept secure.
Application-level security can be used to protect data accessed through mobile phones and other devices, but it also needs to be used with the right technology and the right security habits.
App Security vs. Device Security
Device-level security only protects the device, like a phone, while application-level security protects the information.
For example, when data is stored on an individual’s device (such as a smartphone), it can become compromised if the smartphone itself is breached. Anyone who accesses the smartphone can download this information. If nurses or doctors are accessing patient information through their own smartphones, their smartphones could present a security risk.
Application-level security keeps all patient information on a secured native app. Even if someone accesses an individual’s phone, they still can’t access information unless they are able to log into the native app.
Three-Factor Authentication
Three-factor authentication requires someone to give multiple pieces of information in order to log into a system. Traditionally, two-factor authentication requested something the person knew (their password) and something the person had (such as their device or an email address).
Three-factor authentication takes this a step farther by also requesting a biometric factor, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.
New smartphones can use three-factor authentication because they already have iris scans, facial scans, or fingerprints saved on them. While it’s not a good idea to enable three-factor authentication by default (because not all devices can support it), having it as an option gives patients more control over their security.
Provide Complete Data Encryption
All stored data needs to be encrypted, including patient information. Otherwise, if the server’s information itself is compromised, patient information may be compromised as well.
Backed up data has to be kept as securely as live data, as compromising backed up data is just as dangerous.
Data should also be encrypted when it is being transferred, or it could be viewed if a patient is using an unsecured internet connection.
Require Lengthy, Complex Passwords
Password recommendations have changed over the years. Longer password phrases are now preferred over short but complex passwords. As an example, “p4ssw0rd!” is not as good as “The password is swordfish.” This change is because it’s easier for a computer to guess a short password, even if that short password is seemingly complicated.
In addition, a long password phrase is more likely to be remembered and less likely to be written down compared to a short, complicated password.
Keep Information Restricted to Different User Types
A general healthcare app may have multiple types of users (such as patients), healthcare providers, and administrators. Data should always be restricted to those who absolutely need that information.
Patients should only be able to see their own information, healthcare providers should only access the files that they need to access, and administrators should be restricted to administrative duties.
Healthcare is extremely specific regarding the types of information that can be allowed to be known, even within the healthcare facility itself.
Restricting data isn’t just about compliance, it’s also about security. If a single account is compromised, only the data it is allowed to access will be compromised. If it can view all of the data, then that would mean all the patients would be impacted.
The healthcare industry has very unique security requirements, in addition to issues of regulatory compliance. If you’re interested in developing a healthcare app but concerned about your patient security, deal with an app company that specializes in building secure applications. Contact jācapps to find out more.

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Construction Mobile Apps news and press

Improve Your Construction Business with a High-Quality App

Running a construction business requires tracking a large number of materials, workers, bids, and jobs as efficiently as possible. Thankfully, there are many construction phone applications available on the market to streamline this process. Even better, companies that create apps can design high-quality apps that work for a specific construction business.
What Are Construction Apps?
Construction apps are applications that can be run on various types of phones and tablets that track multiple elements of a construction job. Apps of this type are becoming popular on many job sites because they help to improve the efficiency of a building job.
For example, managers will no longer have to continually call employees to let them know when they are building and what type of job they are doing next. Instead, managers can send their employees an update using a construction app.
Which Types of Construction Apps Are Available?
Construction apps come in many different styles and provide a diverse range of benefits. For example, some apps focus on the creation and tracking of job bids. These types of apps provide construction companies with a detailed reminder of the nature of their proposal, who received the plan, and all of the elements of the bid, such as labor and materials.
A large number of apps focus on home and building design. Some of these small, but high-powered, apps take building plans and create a 3D model that builders can use to show their clients. Other design apps include real computer-assisted drafting (CAD) features that allow builders to come up with detailed and high-quality plans on the fly.
Just as importantly, employee-tracking apps provide construction businesses with an easy way of following all of their jobs without being on multiple sites. For example, these apps will let you know what workers are on a job site, when they clocked in for the day, when they took breaks, and when they clocked out. As a result, you can be apprised of their progress at all times.
And some construction apps are designed specifically for a single type of business. For example, roofing apps allow roofers the ability to plan a roof design, track the material costs, and follow bids. While there are a large number of these specialized apps available on the market, many businesses have professional app design companies create new ones just for them.
What Features Are Best in Construction Apps?
When designing construction apps, builders should ask for a broad variety of features that help their app stand out from others. For example, a good app should track the costs of all building materials and be adaptable enough to input the names of dozens of employees. In this way, construction managers and business owners can more easily track their expenses.
Construction apps should also have at least some design capability for the builder. Even employee-tracking apps benefit from a small number of design capabilities, so owners can use their apps for multiple purposes and avoid having to spend too much money investing in various app options.
Lastly, a suitable construction app can link multiple app accounts in a way that allows every employee to input information, track their houses, and adjust some aspects of their work schedule. Connected apps help to make relevant information easy to find for a construction group without oversharing and bogging down workers with excessive details.
If you are interested in designing your own app instead of using one already on the market, contact jācapps today to get more information about the app-design process. We will help you get a high-quality construction application that works right for your company.

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press

5 Ways That an App Can Boost Your Customer Service

Mobile apps can be one of the best ways to reach customers and keep them. However, smaller companies often do not fully understand the value of an app as part of their overall customer service plan. How can a good app boost your customer service and make you invaluable to your clients? Here are five ways.

  1. It Is Always Open

Your business probably is not open 24 hours a day to serve customers whenever they have needs. But your app can always be open for business. An app provides an easy portal for customers to make late night or early morning orders, to manage payments on their own schedules, and to complete transactions when customers are on the run.
Today’s consumers expect to be able to conduct business on the road and on their terms, so they are more likely to open an app than to pick up the phone or drive by your location. Being there for people right at the tap of their finger builds customer loyalty, and in the modern, competitive era, you need loyalty more than ever.

  1. It Frees Up Personnel

The more that customers can do themselves, the less they have to contact and tie up your employees. When customers can order directly through the app, they do not have to interact with sales personnel. But the app can still offer new products or suggest additional services just like an employee would do. If they have questions, employees can answer these through email, text, or phone calls at an appropriate time rather than always playing defense.
By installing simple transactions on the app, your service people will also be free to focus their efforts on high-maintenance customers, complex service issues, and customer base development.

  1. It Provides an Outlet

Businesses increasingly have to deal with customers who take their complaints public. This can become a PR nightmare, and a bad review has effects well beyond that one transaction. If your customer cannot get an easy resolution to their disappointments, concerns, or complaints, they will likely turn to talking with other people or using social media to air grievances.
An easy-to-use return option in the mobile app as well as simple ways to initiate contact or get updates on complaint resolution will help prevent public shaming.

  1. It Offers Easy Solutions

A well-equipped app should help customers handle minor issues, questions, and changes on their own. The less effort they have to put into finding solutions, the better they will think about your company.
What types of problems should a mobile app easily solve? These could include things like changing billing information or shipping addresses, reporting and receiving updates about problems with goods, or initiating returns. Anything customers can fill in themselves should be on the app and not your own data entry employees. You save money and they save time.

  1. It Directs Customers

The app is a great way to direct both new and existing customers to new products and services. Customers can go to pages where they can see new items or be offered reorders on goods they already buy or they can be directed less assertively by using suggestion on what to do next. Or, use the app to push notifications to drive sales or launch new products. Any way you do it, an app is a new way to grow customers.
Whatever improvement your customer service needs, an app can help by shifting the load off personnel as well as giving customers an easier experience — both when problems exist and when they don’t. Start creating your custom business app today by visiting jācapps. Our app pros will help you make your life simpler and your customers happier.

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Alexa Amazon Echo B2B Apps Construction Mobile Apps Mobile Web Push Notifications

Connect with us at the CAM Tradeshow 2019!

Michigan Construction & Design Tradeshow 2019 hosted by CAM kicks off for a one-day conference on Tuesday, February 5th, and jācapps will be there to present and talk to you about taking your construction company mobile. In addition to the event’s productive networking, jācapps will hosting a workshop from 9:15am – 10:15am in one of the boardrooms!
Register today for our hour workshop where our COO, Bob Kernen will be discussing how construction businesses can leverage the ubiquity of smartphones to make their projects more efficient and profitable!

 

Construction In The Mobile World

Mobile apps are building the future and we are looking forward to this opportunity to meet local construction company owners, contractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and others to help take your companies mobile.
In the construction industry, where so many people do their jobs outside of a traditional office, whether it is training a mobile workforce, strengthening your safety procedures, and/or tracking your materials, mobile can make life a lot easier for communication and management. Mobile apps enhance communication, productivity, and transform bottom-line goals into reality across your project lifecycle. 
Here’s how:

  • Real-time logistics updates
  • Improved staff accountability
  • Easy, accurate document retrieval

But that’s not all, mobile construction apps have unlimited uses, such as:

  • Project management and productivity
  • Daily reporting and time entry
  • On-site photography and video
  • Safety trainings and monitoring

Mobile is the ultimate high-tech hand tool giving your projects a strong foundation. These are just a few of the ways our mobile solutions have helped clients succeed. We help clients differentiate themselves with complete custom solutions.
 
Don’t forget to register for our workshop and stop by booth 308 to learn more about how mobile strategy can impact your business! You will also get the chance to enter to win a FREE Amazon Alexa Echo Dot!
We look forward to seeing you at CAM’s Tradeshow 2019!
Register Here
If you are interested in expanding a mobile presence to support your business, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030
 

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App Everywhere Food & Beverage Mobile Apps Mobile Web Push Notifications

How Mobile Apps Have Changed the Restaurant Industry

Each and every day more and more restaurants are using mobile apps to streamline delivery and add value to their brand. Thanks to mobile, people have a new way to interact with getting their food. Whether users are on the go or ordering from home, everything they could ever need is right at the tips of their fingers.
So, what exactly can restaurant mobile apps do? Here are some features of restaurant mobile apps that have forever changed the restaurant industry:
 
Food On-Demand

  • On-demand food delivery features have become popular as more consumers either don’t have time or prefer not to cook at home. While these services lead to fewer customers in the physical location, the ease of ordering online makes up the difference in additional orders.

 
Advanced Booking & Reservations

  • Reservation features aim to reduce the amount of time that customers have to wait when dining out. These apps put customers in line, so they can arrive later and still be seated at the same time as if they had arrived earlier.

 
Ratings & Reviews

  • For better or for worse, review features make a serious impact on restaurants. Allowing people to submit reviews may attract more customers to your business. Your restaurant will not only become better known, but also allow you to showcase your service, food, beverages, and atmosphere.
  • This also allows for restaurants to make changes to their business in order to meet customer needs.

 
Discounts

  • Having a discount feature to your app makes it easier for customers to dine on a budget. These features work with restaurants to bring in new business by offering discounts on products in the establishment. Certain deals can be selective, which allows customers to use different items and choose their discounts.

The restaurant industry has been forever changed by mobile apps. Restaurant apps adding value to the food-buying process and will continue to benefit restaurants and their customers.
jācapps custom restaurant apps can support these efforts and so much more. If you are interested in expanding a mobile presence to support your business, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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Android Auto App Everywhere Apple CarPlay Connected Car Mobile Web Push Notifications

How Apps Can Boost Auto Dealer Revenue

Buying a vehicle is a high-risk investment that used to include a large amount of on-foot research, visiting dealerships, consulting with sales reps even before the difficult and complex  purchase experience. But what if all the necessary information needed to purchase a car was in one spot … right in your hand? 74% of American adults own a smartphone so the best way to improve the auto dealer experience is through mobile apps.
 
APP USERS SPEND MORE
A study by DME Automotive showed that vehicle buyers who use a branded app were 73% more likely to buy from the dealership. But it doesn’t stop there … even after making a purchase, research shows that 25% more service appointments were booked compared to shoppers without an app. We can also see that these app users are spending more money than non-app users when purchasing a vehicle — 7% more according to a study commissioned by cars.com
 
EMPOWER MOBILE USER CUSTOMERS WITH KNOWLEDGE
Did you know that, auto buyers who use mobile are 72% more likely to repeat visits to the dealership?  Customers use apps to seek out competitive inventory, pricing, dealer information and payment options.
Mobile apps have changed the way dealerships are exceeding the expectations of car buyers who do online research before coming into the dealerships. But, according to a study by Google and Ipsos, 90% of smartphone users are not absolutely certain of which specific brand they want to buy when they begin looking for information online.
Although, the basic principles of buying/selling a car have not changed, mobile users have access to learn more about inventory, prices, reviews, etc. before going into the dealerships. This can help save customers time and money by being more prepared a knowledgeable when it comes to purchasing a car.
 
IMPROVING SALES THROUGH FOLLOW-UPS
Following up with your customers after the day of the sale is just as important as the actual sale. Mobile apps allow you to keep your customers engaged at every stage of the purchase process.
Doing follow-up during the decision-making process can improve the chances that the customer will return to the dealership. And follow-ups after the sale have been proven to increase customer loyalty and can increase referrals.
 
BOOST REVENUE THROUGH SERVICING
The service department generates the dealership’s highest profit margins. Dealership-branded mobile apps allow dealerships to bring customers back again and again. Also, customers who use the dealership mobile apps are 25% more likely to make service appointments over customers who do not download the dealer’s app.
According to study results for DMEautomotive, car owners are spending more money on servicing their vehicles than ever before. Dealers without an app are missing out on a huge opportunity to generate more revenue through the service department.
Here are some examples of what dealer-branded apps can enable customers to:

  • View service hours
  • Book service appointments in minutes
  • Pay repair orders
  • Consult with dealer staff on services through chat functionality
  • Save phone call, text, and email history
  • Update service profiles with every visit.

 
Overall, mobile offers your dealership a chance to engage with your customers and turn them into brand loyalists who will always refer your business to others. If you are interested in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030

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App Everywhere Awards B2B Apps Connected Car Mobile Apps Mobile Web Podcasting Push Notifications Radio Wearables

Recap of Small Talk with Mark Lee Interviewing our President Paul Jacobs

Recently, our very own Paul Jacobs was on Small Talk with Mark Lee. Small Talk comes from the Lee Group, MI LLC – Integrated Marketing Solutions. Lee helps companies develop branding and re-branding strategies to produce positive relationships with consumers, which bring measurable results. Lee was interested in jācapps and had the chance to see what our mobile app development company is all about.
After hearing the background about our company, Lee had a few questions about us. Let’s take a look at some of the key takeaways from the interview:
 

What is the biggest hesitation for a business when creating an app?

Paul responded that, “a lot of businesses have lack of knowledge about what mobile apps truly are. Our approach is to explain to our clients that you aren’t buying a piece of software – you are buying a mobile solution. It is important to find out what exactly the client needs, what problem they are having and work with them to create a solution. This is where you build trust with the clients and work with them as a consultant.”


Why does a business need an app?

Jacobs expands on the idea about smartphones are within everyone’s reach. “It is right in their purse or right in their pockets – everyone is carrying one. Therefore, the opportunity to be able to communicate to your consumers or business to business is huge.
Another key reason a business needs an app has to do with push messaging. If your user opts in to push messaging it allows the company to efficiently push messages out to those users. These messages can include sales, something that is new that your users need to check out, reminders, and so much more. Push notifications enhance two-way communication and is a powerful business tool.”


What criteria do I need to use to select a mobile app development company?

Paul says, “It is important that your company work with a developer who has full end-to-end for design, testing, new development ideas, etc. Someone who really understands everything, including getting the app into the app store.
You also want to consider the type of developers within that company. You want your developers to be flexible, treat you like a partner and not a client, and you want to be provided with case studies to see what their previous results have been.”


What is the process of creating an app?

Our process consists of four steps; discover, design, develop and deploy.
Discover – this is where your app takes shape. We draw inspiration from our conversations with you to brainstorm ideas and discuss the requirements needed for development.
Design – once a concept has been approved, we combine skills and strategy to make sure your apps look great and are easy to use. Our progress will be presented to you in the form of a specification document.
Develop – after you’ve approved the specification document, our in-house development team gets to work. This phase culminates with rigorous QA testing.
Deploy – we submit your apps to their respective stores! But we don’t stop there. We keep a lookout for issues and help you navigate new devices and OS versions as they become available.


What is the timeframe for app development?

The timeframe will differ from app to app but the average is from 10-12 weeks from beginning to end. Six to eight weeks of this time is for development. Additionally, our clients are able to download this app before the app goes live so they can tweak and test it before it is published. However, even when the app is finished it can still be adjusted.


Looking to 2019 and the next 5 years – what is the next big idea?

Jacobs explained that the next big idea is voice activated apps. “Right now you have to touch your screens for everything, but soon you will be able to talk to your phone. For example without hitting the app you can just say ‘play stream’ and your music will play.
Another thing that we have here at jācapps is called App Everywhere. Apps are not just on your phones, they are on connected cars, smart TVs, smart speakers, tablets, wearables – and soon there will be more apps created for these devices. Overall, apps are moving beyond just the mobile phone.”
To hear more of the interview with Mark Lee and Paul Jacobs – Listen to the interview here.
jācapps custom apps can support these efforts and so much more. If you are interested in creating a mobile presence to support your business, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

Categories
B2B Apps Mobile Apps

Applications for Better Health

Mobile technologies make many aspects of our lives easier – that‘s why we love our devices. Healthcare is no exception and year after year more hospitals, fitness clubs, senior homes, etc. continue to adopt technologies to become more effective and efficient. Healthcare apps have massive potential to improve a patient’s overall wellness, reduce hospital readmissions and enable a patient to manage chronic conditions.
Here are some other ways health and wellness apps can be used:

  1. Track sleep schedules
  2. Meditation and mindfulness
  3. Diet and nutrition
  4. Mental health tracking and concerns
  5. Recipes
  6. Smoking cessation
  7. Sports and fitness activity tracking
  8. Weight loss coaching
  9. Pharmacy and drug info
  10. Stress reduction and relaxation

Health and wellness apps give users more control over their own health. Here are four important benefits of using health and wellness apps:
Easily keep track of your progress
Having the access to your personal health and fitness data, mobile apps allow you to stay on track and see where you are in your progress.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle on the go 
If you live a busy life and struggle with living a healthy lifestyle, mobile apps can change your world! Having access to fitness, diet, and nutrition tips on the move will allow you to live an easier, healthier, and happy life.
Stress relief and calming techniques
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, etc. mobile apps can help you. In the middle of a bad day, you have access to meditation, stress reduction and relaxation apps that can help calm you down or change your mood in just minutes.
Medical condition tracking and advice 
Mobile apps can connect with your family doctor, hospitals, and your pharmacy. This allows patients to engage more in their everyday health and get help quickly.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a big challenge for individuals and keeping track of your progress can be an even bigger challenge. Mobile will take away these challenges and allow you to live your happiest and healthiest life yet!
If you are interested in learning more about jācapps, the apps we build, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030