integrated technology
Bob Mudge*
There’s an app for that Context and location aware mobile apps, integrated with allied technologies, are transforming business processes for biotech companies as they offer the promise of greater accuracy of reporting and improved safety and compliance.
22 | LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - October 2015
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security than ever before. Typically produced as hybrid apps (HTML5 web apps wrapped in a native app shell), these offer the best of all worlds. They can be very quick to produce with readily available web y applying mobile technologies to
skills, they offer the same ‘evergreen’ functionality of
traditional paper-based business processes, both
websites meaning no need to constantly download
companies and industry sectors are gaining massive
app updates, yet they can access all the device
leaps in efficiency and employee productivity.
functionality to provide a native user experience and
‘Consumerisation of IT’ and the omnipresence of
incorporate advanced API integration for dynamic
powerful portable computing devices makes these
data sharing between an organisation’s existing
business transformations more accessible than
backend systems.
ever before.
Using such apps on a smartphone, smartwatch,
Even though most are very tech savvy,
tablet or Bluetooth-linked device allows the user to
biotechnology organisations are facing the same
interact with proximity beacons, RFID devices, QR
pressures as many other industries in responding to
codes and NFC tags. Such devices send a signal, alarm
reduced budgets and tighter operating requirements.
or prompt and the app reads that signal in the context
Now, new proximity technology coupled with
of the user’s location, activity or authentication.
enterprise mobility apps is allowing these everyday
This can trigger a variety of responses from the app
devices to make the previously complex and
depending on what that tag/beacon is associated
expensive process of scanning, tagging and tracking
with. Beacons, still a relatively new technology,
far more efficient, accurate and cost-effective.
can, for example, send text, audio, images or video
Highly bespoke activity-centric apps (a concept
to the user’s device within a predefined distance so
Ovum has coined ‘soldier apps’) can now be
the user is aware that they need to take action at a
developed far more quickly and incorporate greater
particular location.
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