From the days when we considered iPads in the enterprise as an exciting new trend, we have slowly moved into a world where tablets are a norm from boardroom to IT admins. In fact, it has become a defacto device for many of the top level executives, thereby, forcing cloud application providers to offer a tablet version of their applications. We have already seen scores of SaaS providers offering iPhone and Android apps. The next big trend is to optimize their apps for tablets either by releasing a native tablet app or by taking advantage of HTML5. Now Workday (previous CloudAve coverage) has announced the availability of their app on iPad and Box (previous CloudAve coverage) has announced the availability of their app for Android tablets & RIM Playbook and a HTML5 based web application for any mobile device.
Workday iPad app offers the following features:
- Navigate through organizational hierarchies and drill into a worker’s profile to view job information, talent information, job history and compensation history
- Monitor personal activity streams, prioritize tasks, and respond to alerts and approval needs, such as time off requests and expense reimbursements
- Allows users to stay connected to the business anytime, anywhere with real time drillable reports and analytics to support activities such as Workforce Planning, Compensation Management, Talent Management and Financial Management
- Users can view a colleague’s work location on Google Maps
- SAML authentication allows users to securely and conveniently sign in to Workday’s mobile applications using the same authentication method and credentials they use for Workday on their desktop and other enterprise systems
They have also updated their existing iPhone application. It will be interesting to see if they follow this up with support for Android devices.
Box today released their Android app optimized for tablets along with an app for Playbook. They already have an app for iPad, iPhone and Android phones. With this release, they become one of the handful companies who support diverse range of mobile devices. Their Playbook app took full advantage of the device’s hardware and OS, including swipe gestures and a two-panel view very similar to their iOS and Android application. Their HTML5 based web app targeted at any mobile device has the following features:
- Scrolling header bar
- Full text search
- Commenting
- File and folder management
With the file and folder management feature, it is easy to upload content to box. Overall, a powerful web app taking advantage of HTML5 and CSS3 power.
Mobile enterprise is going to be the next buzzword and we are soon going to see more and more vendors offering their applications on tablet devices. Tighten your seat belts and get ready for the onslaught of news regarding mobile enterprise.
Update: As pointed out by Christian below and Workday by email, Workday app for Android and Blackberry is available since 2009. Sorry for the oversight on my side.
Disclosure: Workday is a sponsor of CloudAve
Related articles
- Box.net Bets On HTML5 For New Mobile Site; Launches PlayBook And Android Tablet Apps (techcrunch.com)
- Box.com spreads support with apps for Android tablets, BB PlayBook (zdnet.com)
- Box.net ramps up HTML5 app development (venturebeat.com)
- Box Expands Mobile Support, Validates the Mobile Enterprise (readwriteweb.com)
- Box Launches Android, RIM Playbook Apps, Continues Quest For Cloud Domination (fastcompany.com)
- iPad for Business Round-Up: Workday Releases iPad App and More (readwriteweb.com)
Thanks for including Workday in your round-up on tablets. Workday for Smartphones, including Android and BlackBerry, was first delivered in November 2009 with Workday 9.
Thanks Christian. I will update the post.
[...] I wrote recently, Workday has released an iPad application which will help C-level executives have a better view [...]