Do you like the idea of a mobile app for your company but not quite sure if it would be cost effective and actually benefit the business?

When speaking to potential clients we insist that a mobile app can either save the company money or help Marketing and Business Development and Sales Managers win more work.

See how many of the following apply to you: 

1. You use printed brochures as marketing material

2. You spend 7.5k or more per year on printed brochures

3. A company objective is to save money where possible in 2012

4. You want to promote the quality of your products or the success of
your projects

5. Your Sales/Business Development/Marketing staff use PowerPoint
presentations with potential clients

6. You're already forward thinking enough to be using social media

7. Your a cutting edge company with an eye on innovatation

8. You care about the environment and sustainable ways of working

9. It's important that you 'lead the way' within your sector

10. Smart phones and mobile tablets have already been/are being
introduced within your business

If you have said yes to two or more of the above then we believe it's worth arranging a no obligation chat with our team to see how a mobile app can help promote your business and save you money.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below... 

We've had numerous requests to create a monthly run down of our mobile app developments, news and reviews for people who miss our blogs and tweets.

So we've created something very simple that will include:

• Mobile Apps we've developed and released that month 
• Mobile Apps we've found or that have been suggested to us (Email or Tweet)
• Developments within the mobile app technology world
• Quick guides to the Why's and How's of mobile apps for your company
• Events that we'll be attending or organising (keep an eye out for a couple very soon!) 

Here's a sneaky glimpse of how it might look...

We'll publish it at the start of each month and hope that it will be both interesting and informative to anyone interested in utilising the latest and most effective ways to showcase their company.

How to get our Month in Mobile Apps Newsletter?

Simply enter your (or someone else who might be interested!) email address, click subscribe and follow the instructions:

The Woobius team will be entering unchartered waters this year (quite literally in Cannes!) by attending MIPIM 2012, ''the world's leading real estate exhibition and conference bringing together the most influential real estate professionals''.

We'll be talking mobile apps while promoting our existing clients with iPad demo's and presentations.

Are you going to MIPIM?

We're keen to start arranging our trip and would be delighted to hear from you if you'll be there and want to discuss opportunities.  

We're also speaking to clients who want a company app in time for the event so feel free to get in touch.

MIPIM networking on LinkedIn 

Do you want to engage with attendees and exhibitors going to MIPIM this year?  

Click to view the Official MIPIM LinkedIn group and a group for UK Participants started by Derry Long.

Email us if you'd like to meet up in Cannes or speak to us about getting your company app ready in time.  Alternatively follow us on Twitter @woobius.   

We're delighted to have worked with Elips Design to create an informative and interactive mobile app to showcase their practice.

We caught up with Elisa Pardini so she could explain a bit more about her app personally...

(download)

Click here to download:

elips-design-architects-develop-a-mobile-app-to-showcase-their-practise-hFJlwhEhJsCcehkywcdq.zip (423 KB)

What made you get your own company app?

I made an app because, after I had seen the one Woobius had developed for Make Architects, I thought it was great idea to show my projects in this way.

What functionality does the app offer?

The app is a fantastic business card and brochure. It is a fresh way to introduce myself being on the apple store. It is also a very sustainable way to promote my practice.  I don't have to print out half as much so save a lot on paper!

How have your staff used the app?

I use the app when I meet a potential Clients for the first time and also encourage new contacts to download it for themselves.

Has your app helped you win any new clients?

It is with me now during all meetings and was also available during an unexpected impromtu meeting more recently! I always have the material to show with me. 

Who might be interested in the app?

I'd like to think that many kind of professionals might be interested in the app. 

How was it working with the Woobius team?

The Woobius team was really helpful and really quick! A perfect combination.

Who do you think could benefit from a Woobius App?

I recommend a mobile app for all Architects, but also Contractors, Engineers ... whoever has good work to show. I believe that is the future and it will only be a matter of time before most organisations will have some form of app for their company.  

Click to download the Elips Design App and feel free to share your thoughts below?

Can your Architecural Practice benefit from a mobile app?

We're developing apps for Architects, Contractors, Engineers, Surveyors and Product Manufacturers.  

If you're connected to the Built Environment and have something to promote then click here to find out if we can help.  

If you've read this far why not keep up to date with Woobius developments via our Twitter account @Woobius 

Even in our fast-moving digital world, people still hold sentiment for the physical look, feel, touch and even smell of printed books, manuals and newspapers.   

However, today's technology offers new ways to improve some of the sustainability issues relating to printed materials.

(download)

Click here to download:

are-architectural-manuals-brochures-better-served-in-a-digital-format-wvscyfvslgolkIjkylwi.zip (569 KB)

AHMM (Allford Hall Monaghan Morris) Architects have been working with the Woobius team to present their year's work in a mobile, sustainable, updatable and cost effective way.  Their app can be downloaded by interested individuals and presented by staff to potential clients. 

(download)

Click here to download:

ahmm-architects-digitalise-their-yearly-manual-with-a-mobile-app-bpmEzmjGcFrsbGocIxdq.zip (814 KB)

We caught up with Clementine Seymour from AHMM to find out a bit more... 

What made you get your own company app?

We wanted to show our yearly manual and company portfolio in a modern and portable format.

What functionality does the app offer?

It shows the range of our portfolio, from UK based healthcare practices to large scale international residential projects. Through images and films it also gives an insight into the practice as well as the artists and designers we regularly collaborate with.

How will your staff use the app?

It’s useful for staff on the move to have images of completed projects on hand.

Who might be interested in the app?

Prospective clients as well as anyone who takes an interest in architecture, as it is a fun and informal overview of the company.

How was it working with the Woobius team?

They were interested and enthusiastic as well as hardworking.

Who do you think could benefit from a Woobius App?

Any architecture practice looking to get a portfolio of their work into a portable and updatable format.

Click to download the AHMM app and feel free to tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Are you thinking about a mobile app for your company? Find out how it could benefit your organisation by clicking here. 

The next mobile app to be featured on the Woobius Scribbles Blog is from Open House London.

We caught up with Open House Project Manager, Jeni Hoskin to explain what they're all about and how they used mobile technology to improve the experience they offer. 

What is Open House?

Open House London is an annual invitation to thousands of Londoners to get excited about our capital’s amazing architecture, giving the opportunity every September to visit over 700 buildings and events free of charge. Open House London is an initiative by our charity Open-City.

What made you get your own company app?

As the event is very much focused on people, we were keen to gain advocacy of the ‘crowd’ in a new way  - engaging our audience with a new mobile tool which would be a valuable and transparent offer, easy to use and easy to interact with – and so ultimately building greater trust and support amongst our network.

What functionality does the app offer?

The app helps our audience to discover which Open House buildings and events to visit- where and what they are and with links to images and more architectural info, as well as a ‘favourites’ function to make event planning much easier. It really comes into its own on the day itself when trying to navigate from place to place!

How will/have your staff used the app?

We all used the app exactly in the same way as one of the ‘punters’ would – it was so useful during the event to help us get around. 

Has your app helped you win any new clients?

The app definitely presents extra benefits for new sponsors we might want to attract.

How successful was the app when it was released?

The app was a huge success. At its peak, the app, which was downloaded more than 7,500 times over 26 days, was the top Travel App in the UK and ranked in the top 15 paid Apps in the UK across all categories. It was a valuable tool as well as being revenue-generating for our charity.

Who might be interested in the app?

Anyone wanting to take part in Open House London will be interested but it is also useful as a year-round resource about London’s architecture.

How was it working with the Woobius team?

The Woobius team are fantastic – Bob, also an architect, totally understands our sector and audience and Woobius have been so helpful in incorporating new functionality and tweaks and are working on the new version for 2012!

Who do you think could benefit from a Woobius App?

Any company wishing to platform their work in a new and interesting way, or to add value and opportunities for people wherever they are, will benefit from a Woobius App.

And finally, when is the next Open House event?

The dates for 2012 are 22nd and 23rd September with more information available at www.londonopenhouse.org. 

Click to download the Open House app and read reviews.

Could your company benefit from a mobile app? Click here to find out...

The next Built Environment Mobile App to be featured comes from TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association).

An article on their website explains...

''TRADA Technology, on behalf of TRADA, has developed a mobile application for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.''

Woobius Verdict

It's great to see an Industry Body identify the opportunities mobile technology presents and we hope it leads others to do the same.  As stated in their article, the app offers a useful way for specifiers to search a large database of common timber by name, availability, durability, use class, colour, density or movement characteristics.  They can also find out more about appearance, workability, environmental ‘credentials' and other factors which will influence their choice for construction or furniture design.   

It links to TRADA's online directory of suppliers of hardwood and softwood species giving additional exposure to their members.  This is something that other Industry Bodies and Trade Associations could offer using a mobile app.

The app is free giving users 40 commonly used wood species and a paid-for upgrade featuring more than 150 wood species is priced at £4.99.  This demonstrates the revenue generating opportunities via mobile apps with the ability to make various additional content available via a paid download.  It would be interesting to hear if specifiers would pay for this?

Android users will curse again as this app is currently available for Apple products only although we are told additional developments are underway.  

Search results on the iPad

Do you specifiy wood products? What do you think?

Would this app help you? Would you pay for the upgrade? Feel free to download the TRADA app here and comment below.

Do you work for a Built Environment Industry Body or Trade Association?

We have numerous ideas how you and your members could benefit from a mobile app.  Email us or call 0207 749 7229 to find out more.  

Recommend a useful App?

Have you got a company app that you would like to be featured here? Email me if you've seen any cool apps relevant to the Built Environment.

Until next time,

Ryan

(Chief Scribbler)

Happy New Year! Hopefully you're all staying out of the wind and easing your way into 2012!

In an effort to keep you up to date with the latest mobile apps in the Built Environment, a fellow Woobian recently informed us that Building Merchants, Jewson, have been leading the way in mobile technology.

(download)

Click here to download:

jewson-launch-iphone-apps-and-pave-the-way-for-builders-merchants-dghucqmJwxtBqEdDbAdB.zip (273 KB)

Their blog post explained... 

''We have launched an app for the iPhone; allowing customers to receive exclusive offers, locate branches, and even get directions to the branch they are trying to get to.

The app is free to download from the iPhone App Store, and can easily be found by searching for Jewson. Our app is designed to make finding the location of a branch as easy as possible. Users can see at a glance the ten closest branches to their current position and then use the built in route finder to navigate them to the selected branch.

The ‘Price Blitz’ section gives information on our latest offers and future deals across our entire range including timber and building products.''

Download the Free Jewsons app for yourselves and let us know what you think?

We also found an additional app they have released regarding sustainability called 'Ask Jack'.

Their website explained…  

''Jewson is committed to sustainability and as such we have recently launched a new online tool for our customers. This tool has been designed to help answer questions relating to sustainability and renewable technologies.

Since his launch, Jack, as he is called, has attracted quite a bit of attention, with industry professionals asking all manor of questions relating to sustainability. 

Our most frequently asked and answered question is “why is sustainability important?” 

This supports our initial thoughts that professionals in the industry are in need of such a tool.

As more and more people interact with Jack his knowledge will increase. This is because all input is been monitored and any relevant questions that we don’t have the answer to will be answered by our sustainable solutions team.''

Download Jewsons 'Ask Jack' app for yourselves and let us know what you think?

Thinking about a mobile app for your company?

Email us or call 0207 749 7229 to quickly identify if this technology can benefit your business and fit within your budget?

Until next time...

Ryan

(Chief Scribbler)

In an effort to keep you up to date with the latest mobile app information within the Built Environment, we can confirm that Costain have made the jump to the online, digital world. 
 
A press release on their website explained...

''Costain has become the first major UK construction/engineering company to launch an 'app' for the Apple iPad.'' 

''The innovative move will allow the Group to showcase its technical capabilities and offer an outlet for its views on major issues affecting the construction/engineering sector.''

''The launch of the app will also reinforce the Costain drive for innovation in every facet of the Company's operations,'' says Group Strategy & Business Development Director, Stephen Wells. "We want to communicate in the most modern way and the iPad is an integral part of that process.

"Now we can offer through our website and the 'app' regular sector news and a diary of events - not just Costain events but commentary on developments such as the Government White Paper on energy or announcements on the National Infrastructure Plan.

"We feel this is a more immediate way of communicating to our stakeholders and the world at large. News and views on the various sectors in which Costain works will be updated weekly."

"It's a communication tool for external contacts," adds Systems and Technology Director, Bill Price. "It gives the true breadth of our services and expertise. It also allows us to communicate our views on strategically important events affecting the construction/engineering industry."

The app will also include videos and be updated automatically. Available through the Apple Store, it is initially suitable only for the iPad, but will be adapted to fit other platforms that will include BlackBerry's equivalent device, which is due to appear after Christmas and Price is looking at other potential platforms.

"It forms part of our digital communications strategy to demonstrate Costain's skills," says Stephen Wells.

What does it look like?

Home Screen

Sector issues - Highways

Sector issues - Education

What do you think?

Feel free to download this app and let us know what you think, what you like/don't like and how it could be improved?

Get a mobile app for your company?

Do you work for an Architect, Contractor or Product Manufacturer in the UK Built Environment? If so, contact us to find out how an interactive mobile app could benefit your business.

Until next time,

Ryan 

(Chief Scribbler)