MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT AT WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITYKeith du Cros

Senior Analyst Developer - Solution & Project Services – Systems - Information Technology and Digital Services

CONTENTS

01 University App Store Overview What do we have…

02 Creating mobile apps at Western Sydney University Approaching a new app

03 Custom Mobile Apps Some of our work WomSAT AGLC Reference Few things to remember….

04 ITDS and WSU: Here to help with your mobile apps or websites

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UNIVERSITY APP STORE OVERVIEW

01.UNIVERSITY APP STORE OVERVIEW

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UNIVERSITY APP STORE OVERVIEW

What do we have…

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6+ apps already available - here’s a few.

• Western Mobile AppPrimary University mobile app/portal. Maps, Staff Directory, Events and more.

• Western CentralStudent Portal available for download on iPad, with web-based version for other devices

• AGLC ReferenceReference tool for law students and others.

• Penrith ObservatoryCalendar detailing astronomical events and a list of public astronomy programs, plus more.

• WomSATEasy-to-access portal to WomSAT website/app - research project tracking wombat conditions across Australia.

and more!

New version coming soon!

CREATING MOBILE APPS AT WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

02.CREATING MOBILE APPS AT WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

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Approaching a new app

CREATING MOBILE APPS AT WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

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“It’s how you devour a whale… one bite at a time”- Frank Underwood

First things first! Let’s not re-invent the wheel…

• A solution or product may already exist at the University that will suit your needs.

• There may also be an out-of-the-box solution already available on the market! … First approach: “Buy, not build”

• Consider: do you require a mobile-friendly website, a mobile app, or both? Is it a requirement to be available on the app store as a standalone app?

Approaching a new app

CREATING MOBILE APPS AT WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

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“It’s how you devour a whale… one bite at a time”- Frank Underwood

• A mobile-friendly website within MySource Matrix may be suitable - Consult with a local Web Services Unit team member. This can later be integrated into the Western Mobile App for iPhone and Android with the assistance of ITDS.

ITDS as an advisor

• Whatever your app requirements, ITDS are available to help assess your needs and find a best-fit solution.

CUSTOM STANDALONE MOBILE APPS

03.CUSTOM MOBILE APPS

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Some of our work

CUSTOM STANDALONE MOBILE APPS

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Need something different?

• On the occasion, there’s just not a suitable existing product.

• Sometimes, for small-scale projects, a custom, standalone developed app may be the right way to go…

The technology

• ITDS is focusing on an “Any Device, Anywhere, Anytime” principle.

• Products and frameworks such as Appcelerator, PhoneGap, Xamarin, and many more allow developers to create applications from one common set of code, and then apply adjustments accordingly for each platforms ‘look and feel’ (Android, iOS, Windows, etc) with quick turnarounds.

• We already have two applications deployed using the Appcelerator platform, including WomSAT and the AGLC. Although we aren’t bound to this platform, results have been positive.

“write once, adapt everywhere”- Appcelerator’s mantra

CUSTOM STANDALONE MOBILE APPS

WomSAT

What’s WomSAT?

• A new resource for communities to record sightings of wombats across the country.

• Wombats are under threat and they need our help! Wombats are being killed by disease and humans. A parasitic mite, causes sarcoptic mange, and wombats are often road kill victims.

• Wombats are Australia’s largest burrow builder and we need your help to collect information about where you see wombats so that these these important ecosystem engineers can survive.

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View the ABC News 7.30 video.. “This is the threat that could wipe out the wombat”:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-25/this-is-the-threat-that-could-wipe-out-the-wombat/6724690

CUSTOM STANDALONE MOBILE APPS

WomSAT

Our Approach

• With an Android application already available, Assoc. Professor Julie Old from the School of Science and Health was looking for an iPhone/iPad option for this important project.

• The WomSAT web-app had already been created external to ITDS - most of the work was done, so we built upon that foundation.

• Built as a hybrid application, we embed the main website, and it’s features directly into the application. Enhanced with native geolocation

• Development: 2-3 weeks total effort and launched September 2015 for iPad and iPhone.

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Find out more: www.womsat.org.au or search the iOS App store for “womsat”. Updated Android version coming soon!

CUSTOM STANDALONE MOBILE APPS

AGLC Reference

A guide to assist law students in their application of the AGLC (Australian Guide to Legal Citation)

• The first app deployed on the University App Store, the AGLC Reference is a simple but helpful tool for Law Students and others in the profession.

• As the app was aimed at a general audience as well as internal students, we developed a native app as a standalone package, separate from the Western Mobile App portal.

• Delivered as a universal app for iPad, iPhone and Android.

• Downloaded over 3,400 times on iOS devices, 600 on Android, and widely used by students.

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Find out more: Search the iOS or Google Play App store for “AGLC”

CUSTOM STANDALONE MOBILE APPS

Some things to remember….

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• Both Apple and Google have their own review processes. Apps don’t just automatically get green-lit!

• Choosing the right solution is critical. Hybrid, Native, Web, or integrated into an existing app. We’ll help you through the process.

• When developing with hybrid or any mobile apps, we *always* customise the app according to the platform being deployed for. Each platform has it’s own user interface and feel - respect it and your users will be happier!

…Apple apps should look like Apple apps - Android apps like Android apps!

HERE TO HELP

04.ITDS AND WSU: HERE TO HELP WITH YOURMOBILE APPS OR WEBSITES

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HERE TO HELP

ITDS Strategy 2015-2020

View the latest ITDS Strategy - Securing Digital Success 2015-2020 for the latest on ITDS Strategy going forward.

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Find out more:http://sites.westernsydney.edu.au/ITDS-Strategy2015/

Have a Project in mind? Seek advice.

Please feel free to get in touch with Solutions and Project Services - Systems within ITDS for any advice or to discuss your idea. Or alternatively, raise a simple ticket with the MyIT Portal ( uws.service-now.com/Portal/ ) for any work/service requests.

If your request relates to website development, please contact the Web Services Unit.

We’re here to help!