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Question to Smartertools guys:

Do you have any plans to create a SmarterTrack App for iPhone? So that it was possible for employees to work from an iPhone more conviniently than using a mobile browser.

Thanks.

This has definitely been discussed here at SmarterTools. Unfortunately, we are unsure at this time when this kind of app might be available.

Thanks for the answer. Hope You could work something out soon. 

I would stongly suggest this app gets developed. Outsourcing to someone with experience in developing iPhone apps would be a good way to go, and the visibility in the App Store would be a solid marketing benefit.

I agree that mobile access should be a priority, but why would you want to target a device which itself is targeted for non-business users?  If anything, target towards BlackBerry or Windows Mobile - but the best solution is one that is not device-specific.  Just make a simple web-based version of the Admin Interface which is small-form-factor-friendly and let the browser of the device figure it out.

sp129401:

I agree that mobile access should be a priority, but why would you want to target a device which itself is targeted for non-business users?  If anything, target towards BlackBerry or Windows Mobile - but the best solution is one that is not device-specific.  Just make a simple web-based version of the Admin Interface which is small-form-factor-friendly and let the browser of the device figure it out.

You've touched on the primary debate going on here.  We'll let you know once a decision has been made.  Although a WAP-like interface is great for the majority of functions, one of the weaknesses is that live chat wouldn't be a possibility.  With the iphone it could be.

We are using iPhone for business and it serves us very well. I have switched from Windows mobile for it's mid 1990s usability. I've been loyal to windows for very long time, but hey, we just can't deal with this anymore and have to run a business here. So iPhone was a great solution to all our problems.

An iPhone App would help us tremendously!

We recently switched all users away from Blackberry and on to the iPhone now that there is 3.0 and full Exchange support.  What else do you need?  The iPhone does it all for business!

Any update on developing an iPhone app?

No update at this time. Our company also uses iPhones and I know it is something management is very interested in doing. Right now though I'm unsure what the plan or schedule is for it.

 This would be great. I just set this up to receive txt messages on ticket creation. Would be nice if I could us an iPhone app to manage the ticket when I am away from computer.

I agree, this would be nice to have.  What about a 3rd party developing it?

I'm looking to see what people's opinion are on radio apps for the iPhone. I'd like to be able to listen to radio stations (that broadcast over AM/FM but have an internet stream) on my phone. I'd really like to be able to listen to sports radio stations so any that have more of that would be a plus. I don't have XM yet but I'm contemplating it so if it supports XM that's a plus but not necessary. Thanks.

 I was a Windows Mobile loyal fan for years but since I've updated to the iPhone 3GS, I've become 10x more productive in the mobile realm.  WinMo is a joke now that I look back and compare the two.  I wish I had switched sooner.

Although I'd be all for an iPhone app, if you guys aren't comfortable making one or outsourcing it, a good compromise would be to just make a moble compatible site that is oriented for smaller screens.  Initially if it would just let me manage tickets I'd be happy.  I tried to use SmarterTrack in the iPhone safari but the text editor doesn't let me type so I can't reply to any customers on my phone.  That is very bad if I'm on vacation or away from a computer for a long period of time.

If you had a mobile-oriented version of the SmarterTrack site then it would work on WinMo, Blackberry, etc. too.  Plus you guys obviously know what you are doing with web technologies so that shouldn't be too hard to build.

The SmarterTools vision has been primarily focused on allowing individuals to work from remote locations without any limitations.  This is one of the primary reasons we made the extra efforts of building only web based interfaces for all our products, although it would have been much easier and faster to develop platform specific applications (windows etc.)

We continue to follow the "work from remote locations" vision and SmarterMail was the first product that received this effort in relation to mobile devices.  The licensing of the Exchange Protocols from Microsoft was a major advancement, allowing the mobile device to basically function as if you were using a desktop client like Microsoft Outlook.  The ability to receive all email, calendars, tasks etc. basically eliminates the need for web mail or any additional mail clients.  The Exchange Activesync functionality is found on most major mobile devices such as iPhone, Android, Palm Pre etc.

The second product that received mobile updates was SmarterStats.  SmarterStats was updated to better understand mobile devices and the different mobile browsers.  This was very important for our company, so that we could see understand what platforms we should prioritize and the variations of mobile browsers etc.

In regards to SmarterTrack, we are working on applications for a couple mobile platforms which will allow individuals to "work from anywhere".  Just as we did with the web interface, we will bring an outstanding level of functionality to the mobile device.  Although it may take a couple versions, the intention and SmarterTools mandate is that the mobile device should allow an employee to work as if they were at a desktop.  This mandate will actually be tested and SmarterTools employees will be handed a phone and told to leave work to see if we were successful!  

More information to come!

Tim Uzzanti

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