Last week I noticed an article about a new Android app that’s integrated to Microsoft Dynamics GP, allowing users to submit their timesheets any time, any place, via their mobile phone.

While there’s been an explosion of mobile apps over the last few years, my personal experience with consumer mobile apps made me wonder how much use business apps are really getting.  While a quick search didn't find anything specific on that Amy Gahran’s March 21, 2011 article from CNN Tech cites some interesting general data from mobile metrics firm, Localytics.  In a recent study, they found that only 26% of downloaded mobile apps are used more than once!  This would seem to indicate either issues with the applications themseleves, or some sort of mismatch between the apps and user needs.

So, what are the key drivers for accounting and/or ERP software mobile apps?  What needs are users looking to fulfull with mobile apps? One key driver is timeliness – real-time access or delivery of accurate up to date information, anywhere and any time.  The Aberdeen Group's report on "Mobility in ERP 2011" correlates timely access to information to operational success and the ability to react quickly to events:

“ERP provides decision makers with the visibility into their business that can assist in strategy execution. It is important for this information to be as accurate and timely as possible. A decision may be wildly inappropriate if based on obsolete information. When critical business events occur, decision makers need access to timely and accurate information so that they can react accordingly. Mobile access ensures that this information is getting to the right people at the right time. With Best-in-Class companies 68% more likely than all others to be notified in real time of exceptions, those companies are more likely to react immediately, regardless of location. In Laggard companies, less than a third even distributes ERP information through emails, texts, and calls of ERP alerts. Once again this puts Laggard companies at a significant disadvantage in reacting to business and market events.”  (Read full text: http://websan.com/downloads/Mobility_for_ERP_Aberdeen.pdf)

Tensoft's High Tech Dashboard (HTD) includes mobile access, which was developed to meet this need.  Tensoft HTD provides an overview of key business data in real-time.  Daily updates create feedback loops and performance monitors via daily email alerts sent to the executive team.  This kind of visibility can have a significant impact on operations, and has made this functionality a favorite among many of our customers. 

If you haven't had a chance to look at Tensoft HTD, here's an 8 minute demo: http://www.tensoft.com/video/2011-12-22_HTD_Demo.wmv.  Please contact us if you'd like more information.