UPDATE, November 3, 2016: WORKetc v3.2.0 is now out on the Google Play Store. Get it here now.
Over the past couple of months, Google has rolled out quite a few changes to their partner programs. Perhaps the most visible is the recent rebranding of Google Apps for Work to G Suite.
You may have already noticed this on the WORKetc web app as well as the site. The integrations page, for example, now shows G Suite integration instead of Google Apps. We’ve also updated a bunch of help files to reflect the name change.
What you may not have noticed, though, is that the WORKetc Android CRM app has also had a bit of an under-the-hood overhaul to conform to Google’s Android Partner Program (of which we are proud to be part).
Android CRM Work Profile Compatibility
Back in July, our Android developer added Work Profile Compatibility, which lets you keep your personal data and your work apps separate.
This new feature allows WORKetc to be installed under a separate profile on your phone which is controlled by a company admin — usually your company’s IT person.
So for example, when you bring in a new employee, you can create a work profile on their phone and install WORKetc there. Once that employee leaves your company, you can just delete their entire work profile. Since it’s on a completely separate profile, their personal data remains unaffected.
That same update also introduced Single Sign-On via your Google account and added support for corporate-owned, single-use (COSU) devices. This means you can give a new employee or contractor a company-owned phone and limit their use to only the WORKetc app.
A Cleaner Interface
Our Android developer didn’t just limit themselves to under-the hood stuff, though.
In a few days, we’re releasing the next big update for the WORKetc Android app. It brings with it some subtle changes to the user interface, plus a pretty big new feature that further maximizes valuable onscreen real estate.
But first let’s start small. The next update, v3.2.0, includes UI updates to bring the app more in line with Google’s Material Design guidelines.
The quick create icons are now gone from the top of the main dashboard. To quickly create a new item from anywhere, just slide out the Navigation Drawer by swiping the screen from the left edge to the right and tapping the + icons.
Click for full view.
Click for full view.New Module Navigation
Individual modules have also been modified. Pages that have multiple screens that you can flick between (like the activity stream, project tree, and custom fields sections on the project detail page, for example) now have tabbed views instead of the old pagination style.
That means you can jump directly to the activity stream, for example, on a project instead of having to tap right or left multiple times.
Click for full view.Plus, when you scroll down a details page with the new tabbed navigation, the tabs will become “sticky” and be pinned at the top of the screen while the actual details below continue to scroll. This should make navigating between different tabs even easier.
For those modules that already have tabbed views, like Discussions and Support, the tabs are now accessible through a dropdown menu at the top left of the screen, right next to the Navigation Slider button.
Click for full view.A New Perspective
We’ve also given the app an icon refresh, plus all interactive elements now have touch feedback. There are also a few more cosmetic changes to things like switches and objects pickers.
Finally, the biggest new feature this update introduces is the all-new landscape view. Yes, you can now use the app in landscape mode. Perfect for those times when you need just a little more onscreen real estate to get your work done.
Note that landscape mode isn’t limited to the modules shown above. It applies to the whole app.
Exclusive Insiders Pre-Release
Version 3.2.0 of the WORKetc Android app is scheduled to hit the Google Play Store next week, but if you’re a member of WORKetc Insiders, you can try it out now. Yes, right now. Just head on over to Insiders and click on this new exclusive challenge.
UPDATE, November 3, 2016: WORKetc v3.2.0 is now out on the Google Play Store. Get it here now.
COMMENTS
This will greatly improve the value of the Android app to me. There have been many times I have accessed data in other ways because I knew I would need landscape. Also the navigation changes very much makes this app not so heavy to use.
Great work on the update, looks a lot better. And still leaps beyond the original app, so you’re doing great. Dashboard improvements are my favourite, makes it so much cleaner.
Thanks Dan and team – the new app is great. Search functionality is also vastly improved from the Dashboard menu – so allows for quick results while on the road. Look forward to seeing the activity stream develop further – but for now great job.
Love the improvements
Much cleaner feel