Everything you need to know about Universal Applications

What exactly is a Universal Application and why do I need one?

Let's face it, we can no longer control where or how our applications are accessed. In the morning a business team member may use his PC and a web browser, at lunch his Android phone, and at home, on his couch, with his iPad. And, the business (along with your CEO) just expects it all to work. Rather than designing and building separate applications for all those platforms, the Real Universal Application allows you to have just one code base for all of them, regardless of device type.

So, how do I build a truly Universal Application?

A Universal Application is built in layers. On the bottom, you have the database, integrations and business logic. These are the things that are common across the application regardless of the platform. On top of it, you have the user interface flow and appropriate skin for each different device form factor. By following this simple architecture, you avoid having to replicate core components that inevitably lead to out-of-date code and maintenance nightmares.

From Pipe dream to Reality...

The technology is here and now to make this a reality. A Web architecture is the best alternative to build your Universal Application and it lets you use existing skills. You get a perfect fit in terms of architecture and, by following modern standards like HTML5, you’ll be able to support a huge number of devices with minimum effort.

The Agile Platform is by far the easiest way to build Universal Apps

With the Agile Platform™ you’ll be able to create all the integrations, database components and business logic in no time, and reuse them across different user interface flows to deliver what each business team needs, for the device they choose to use. The Agile Platform™ also includes a set of default skins to make your apps look native in all the popular smartphones, tablets and desktop browsers. This means you can focus your efforts on what the user needs, instead of having to invest in the UI particularities of each device and browser.

Can I see a Universal Application working?

Yes you can! We have built a universal CRM application for you to try. In a few minutes you can get the back office and mobile versions up and running by following these four steps!

1. Try the Web version of the Sales Application. It is very rich visually and takes advantage of the browser to give all the information you need to manage your sales.
2. Then, try the Mobile Sales Application, totally optimized for life on the road and to run on a smartphone.
3. Play with the data! Set a task as done or close an opportunity on your phone, and see the changes getting propagated to the Web interface.
4. Now that you have the idea, take these two applications and see how they were built by starting an Agile Platform™ trial and changing the applications.

Webinar: Will the Real Universal Application Please Stand Up