MOBILE DEVELOPMENT

When an application needs to be accessible on a mobile device, the first consideration is whether it needs to be a native client application (think App Store) or a web application targeted for mobile displays. In some cases, native client applications are desirable or needed. A client required integration of an iPhone with a RFID scanner, which taps into native code libraries of the device. This goes beyond the scope of a web application developed for mobile.

When considering native client development projects, Workflow uses Titanium Appcelerator. Appcelerator allows a fast, easy development platform based on Javascript to target BOTH Android and iOS devices for the final compiled code. Instead of writing Java for Android and Objective-C for iOS—keeping both code bases in sync with every development change—we write a single source code based on Javascript. Final applications can then be deployed in each respective App Store or for internal use only from corporate servers.

Workflow also builds web interfaces targeted for mobile devices. Using Bootstrap and Cordova, we can present an appropriate mobile style and leverage most of the device capabilities—like camera, phone, email, and GPS—as needed. Our page on web development lists the many different platforms available. Due to its implementation of Bootstrap and Cordova, the Meteor stack is a strong choice in a mobile web interface. Meteor provides an excellent mobile experience while also delivering a world-class desktop web interface.