In this blog, I would like to share some real-world scenarios where companies can deploy mobile applications to increase customer engagement and employee productivity:

1. Public Sector: State and Federal agencies can deploy mobile applications to serve their citizens better. For example, state agencies can make the Unemployment Insurance Benefits process much more effective using mobile apps. Unemployed persons can get access to information that will help them claim their benefits. They also need to validate that they are actively seeking work and could enter the information related to their job applications from their mobile device. Status of claims could be checked anytime anywhere from mobile devices. The state agency could use analytics to gain insights on adoption of the mobile app by the citizens and improve their service. From a technology standpoint, this would require a mobile web-based application and be able to cover the multitude of popular smartphones, tablets, and operating systems, and data security would need to be ensured.

2. Utilities: Utilities can deploy mobile apps on both the Retail and the Generation front. On the Retail side, with de-regulation in many states in the US, there is fierce competition for consumers. In Texas alone, there are over 20 retail electricity providers. Many of them have already adopted a mobile-social strategy. Typically, there are salespeople going from door to door selling electricity and associated products. Imagine a sales rep going out there with the ability to map out her route using Google or Apple Maps, retrieve all data related to the prospect, check the latest pricing, present the contract and capture the customer signature–all using their mobile phone or tablet. The sales process would be significantly enhanced.

Now, on the generation front, mobile applications are ideal to improve asset management and field service. We have mobilized these processes for a large Oil and Gas company in the Middle East that runs SAP. RFID tags and integration with Plant Maintenance modules gave the field technician real-time access to notifications, work orders, and the ability to enter time and material spent on repairs. No need for paper-based processes.

Let me know if you found these ideas interesting.