Sneak Peek 3: WORK[etc] iOS mobile CRM Version 3 in action

After months of work, Version 3 of the WORK[etc] iOS CRM app is getting closer and closer to the beta testing phase. Check out the video above to see it in action.

In case you missed our earlier sneak peek post, here’s a quick rundown of what Version 3 brings to the table:

Improved UI and more efficient navigation
New and improved dashboard gives a quick overview of current projects and events
Create and add leads, support tickets, and other objects with a swipe and a tap
Faster loading and overall performance
View and filter contact activity history
Take, upload, and attach images to projects, expenses, and other objects
Overhauled timesheet system with “Start / Stop” timer
Activity view, nest tree view, and custom fields added to projects module
Continue and create forum-style discussion threads while on the go

If you can’t wait to get your hands on the app, you better sign up for our Insiders program right now. Beta invites will be sent exclusively through Insiders once we finalize the testing period.

Again, there’s no final date yet — both for the beta phase and the app release — so keep an eye out on the WORK[etc] blog for more details.

Now that you’ve seen it in action, tell us in the comments what feature you’re looking forward to the most in the coming iOS and Android app updates.

Mark Van Ree

Looking great guys. Can’t wait to get my hands on the beta.
David Jones

Very nice. I’m looking forward to trying out the new dashboards and performance enhancements are always welcome. The project timer and being able to upload pictures to expenses and projects is great as well.
Michael

I am really looking forward to this update. I got excited with the Android one – but my android devices are secondary. My iPhone is my most widely used tool. It will be great to have this improved app available no matter where I am. I would love to BETA – just saying….!
- Daniel Barnett
  
  “I would love to BETA – just saying….!”
  
  We plan on slowing adding WORK[etc] Insiders into the beta program starting within the next few days.
Thomas Lawler

I know we will have some happy employees with this update. Project timer, uploading pictures to receipts via smartphone. I really like the look & feel of the updated mobile application. I hope the web application follows suit! I think that is the plan anyway?! Anxiously awaiting, thanks for keeping us in the loop!
- Daniel Barnett
  
  “I hope the web application follows suit! I think that is the plan anyway?”
  
  Absolutely – we hope to get another web-app preview announced later this week. Within the web app interface is a “start-stop” timesheet timer that always stays (discretely) on screen so you’re always only half-a-click away from recording time.
Michal Brenneman Wahli

Love it! The overhaul to timekeeping is really making me excited to get my hands on this update. And the image uploading and activity views? With updates such as these, who even needs a desk with a computer anymore? You guys have done a great job keeping us up-to-date, and with improving the app.
David McGarry

You guys have been busy! .. I will still predominantly use the desktop application for most of my daily work but I can see myself moving over to doing little tasks more and more on mobile.

Excited to see stop/start as that’s something I will definitely use, so many times I begin a task and get interrupted by something (or someone) so this will personally help me out a lot.

Faster loading and improved UI are always welcome guests to the party! For me the best mobile apps let you get to what you need as quickly as possible and it looks like that’s what you’ve been addressing with these updates. Look forward to trying out the betas…
- Daniel Barnett
  
  “but I can see myself moving over to doing little tasks more and more on mobile”
  
  Because most of my work is office-based too I mostly end up using the mobile apps quickly catch up on work when you find yourself waiting for someone to turn up to a meeting or sitting on public transport. It does become insanely useful for people who are always working offsite or spend days out of the office visiting clients.
Michal Brenneman Wahli

Love it! The overhaul to timekeeping is really making me excited to get my hands on this update. And the image uploading and activity views? With updates such as these, who even needs a desk with a computer anymore? You guys have done a great job keeping us up-to-date, and with improving the app.
- Daniel Barnett
  
  “With updates such as these, who even needs a desk with a computer anymore”
  
  I think you’ll miss the extra screen real-estate for some of the more detailed/time consuming work we all end up doing. Future tablet versions might be more in-line with doing away with laptops though!
Jason Royals

This is totally awesome. I’ve tried a lot of IOS apps with little success. This has to be by far the best I’ve seen. Not just the updates, but throughout the market. Two things that will help us out tremendously. Adding timesheets w/ start and stop timers. Also, the new and improved dashboard. I also want to add the discussions option. Too many things to list here. I love it. Great job! I’m stoked.
- Daniel Barnett
  
  ” Also, the new and improved dashboard.”
  
  heh – so we’ve actually just redesigned this for the third or fourth time for this new release.
  
  The basic idea is the top 25% of the screen has 8 icons that allow you to, hoping the phone in one hand, quickly tap on an icon to create a new activity (ie create new sales lead) – the idea here is that when you’re on the road, using your phone, quickly creating a new item is the top use-case.
  
  Then then the next ~25% of the screen has quick access to your Events for today, tomorrow and next week. The frequent use-case here is that you’re out of the office or away from your PC, and want to be able to quickly access your next event or meeting.
  
  Then the rest of the screen is a chronological list of your recently accessed items from both the web app and mobile app. The use-case here is that you’re out of the office and most likely want to keep working on what you have just been working on.
Ian Nicholson

This looks great – can’t wait to test it out! Two of the most important features for me are time sheets in particular ensuring that the app completes them in the same way the line entry on the full web version does (currently they operate differently which results in inconsistent time recording); also the ability to record discussions when out and about will be really efficient.
- Daniel Barnett
  
  “(currently they operate differently which results in inconsistent time recording)”
  
  Hi Ian – thank you for this. I’ve made a note to triple check this today. From memory we had to build the timesheets on the old app different than the web app because of the smaller resolution, but this should be different on newer devices.
Barry Gibson

This is great, I hope the features and functionality are going to be the same for Android version. As mentioned below, I would also like to see consistency between the online version and the mobile version especially with time sheets and task management. At the moment we don’t really use the mobile version, but I am hoping this update will change that.
Ryan Powell

Looking fantastic as always! I am looking forward to PIN login (oddly enough). I also love the time sheet access and the fact that it looks so logically laid out. The full suite in your hands! It would be really cool to have some sort of GeoTag capability to log where you were for those that do onsite visits.
- Daniel Barnett
  
  GeoTag is a very clever idea. It won’t be in this release but will think how it might play into future releases.
Farouk Belhouchi

I just saw the presentation of version 3, very good design and creativity, bravo, I can not wait to test it, the output is when?
- Daniel Barnett
  
  Hi Farouk – we’ll be announcing the limited beta release to the Insiders’ group within the next 14 days – assuming my test round this morning all goes well and I can turn off being a perfectionist for a few hours 🙂
Barry Gibson

This is great, I hope the features and functionality are going to be the same for Android version. As mentioned below, I would also like to see consistency between the online version and the mobile version especially with time sheets and task management. At the moment we don’t really use the mobile version, but I am hoping the new features and usability in this update will change that.
Jake

This looks Great, The setup for time keeping looks like it will be very easy to use and great for busy days.
Donna Grindle

Looks great! Can’t wait to get our hands on it!

Discussions on mobile a huge plus for us because it is how I focus on the things my team needs from me. That request response feature is fantastic for making sure everyone gets the answers and input they really need on their projects every day. Not being able to easily do that from my iPhone has been very limiting.

Time tracking updates are going to solve some other problems for us. Updating the time directly in Worketc with a timer as you work onsite is a huge plus.
Randy Fehr

I won’t repeat my comments from the original sneak peak. I will caution AGAINST the suggestion that the mobile app should be “the same as the web interface”. A small mobile device is fundamentally a different tool than a PC and demands VERY different UX consideration. This is not (only) due to vastly different size, but a very different use model – by definition, you use mobile apps when you are (predominantly) mobile.

I would suggest that mobile CRM use is along 2 dominant axis – the first of which contact/company/site – i.e. “I need to know information about the client I’m with now” – e.g. “show me all open support cases for the site I’m at now” or “show me all contacts that work at this site” or “I need to create a new contact that should be associated with this site”. The second axis is orthogonal to the first and answer temporal/spacial questions – “show me what I’m supposed to be doing today” or “show me the most urgent items that need to be addressed before anything else” or “what other clients are near my current location”

IMO, the dominant driver for a mobile CRM app is to be able to access and drill down on information in as few steps as possible. Being able to EDIT existing information – update a contact, edit/update/close a support case, etc. is a close second. Being able to create BASIC new entries is certainly important – but building detailed entries is a distant third (as this is a task much better suited for the full web app).

It’s vastly more important to optimize the workflow for the mobile context than to have all web features available on a mobile device. For example, if I’m at a particular client’s site, it is very likely that I’m only interested in support cases linked to this client. Or conversely, I don’t want a precious small screen filled with support cases from unrelated to where I am (or who I am with).

Can’t wait for the beta. In a former life, I lead an R&D group (and later a strategic alliances group) in “a leading CRM software company”. I can guarantee thorough testing, thought, and constructive comments in the context of a mobile workforce.
- Daniel Barnett
  
  Hi Randy – thank you for the detailed response!
  
  ” I will caution AGAINST the suggestion that the mobile app should be “the same as the web interface””
  
  I just want to reiterate that it absolutely isn’t the same as the web interface, as you can no doubt see from the video above. And as you suggested, you would use the mobile app in an entirely different context and method than when you use the web app. We’ll be announcing beta access shortly and would love your feedback.
Yahutsadak Wahli

Looks Great. Huge Improvement. Very clean interface, keeping the complex task, a simple entry. I would like all the features of the web, which is very difficult as a handheld app. Looks like it is in the right direction.
- Daniel Barnett
  
  ” I would like all the features of the web”
  
  Unfortunately this is just not practical or realistic – for example creating new international tax rates on a mobile would require us to do an enormous amount of mobile app programming, for a feature that is perhaps used by 1% of customers on the web app, and probably never on the mobile app!
William Mullane

The upgraded app looks great. I too am looking forward to fast login using pin. My team will love the quick access to recent projects, overhauled timesheet system and ability to attach photos of receipts to projects.
David Nye

Looks great, when viewing a contacts details can you make a call by selecting the contact’s phone number or send an email from within the app? because on the current version you can only view that information.
Daniela

Hi there- will invoicing / finances be included in the new version, please? Really an important function that’s currently missing. Cheers!
Allen Bayless

Just great to know there will be a new IOS app version! It looks fantastic and up to date. I think all the features that are projected is awesome. The only thing I don’t think I heard about and I know I would want is the ability to invoice?
guillermosl

looking for something like that, waiting……………
guillermosl

Forward to working with this version on the phone.

Current version is not up to the web application, and you can not do many things.

I hope to use it soon
Deanna Cox

Oh my gosh! I think I’m a kid in a candy store right now. I’m very, very excited for this next release of the iOS app! While Version 2 was a step up from Version 1, it’s still been not as user friendly as I’d like. I’m really excited about the pin login as well, just like logging into your phone. I’m looking forward to utilizing the app when I’m traveling, at conferences and for the occasional work question on the weekends. Thank you for keeping up the great work on these apps and continually trying to improve your users experience.
Ian Nicholson

This looks great – can’t wait to test it out! Two of the most important features for me are time sheets and the ability to record discussions when out and about. Of particular importance is ensuring that the app completes timesheets in the same way the line entry on the full web version does (currently they operate differently which results in inconsistent time recording).
Robbie Crenshaw

WOW! i cant wait, This will make myself more productive when im on the road or at home and need to reply to a client or manage a project/ticket.
Joey Gilbert

Faster is always good, we live in an instant world! The thing that stands out to me is the ability to take a picture and attach. Specifically for technical support, this will be very useful. We find ourselves going back and forth to uncover the exact problem a client may have, and something like this will save loads of time!
Donna Grindle

Looks great! Can’t wait to get our hands on it!

Discussions on mobile a huge plus for us because it is how I focus on the things my team needs from me. That request response feature is fantastic for making sure everyone gets the answers and input they really need on their projects every day. Not being able to easily do that from my iPhone has been very limiting.

Time tracking updates are going to solve some other problems for us. Updating the time directly in Worketc with a timer as you work onsite is a huge plus.
David Christie

Happy to see upgrade. Adding leads while on the road, better filtering and faster speed will make the app much more useful.
Brad Crowley

Any improvements to the mobile app will be welcomed with open arms. The current app is very clunky and hard to maneuver. The ability to easily update projects while in the field will benefit us greatly. Thanks for the hard work!
Kevin Pemberton

Although not specific to the app. Will it be possible to run reports including the scanned images of receipts? Many of our clients like to have an itemised listing and images of the receipts included with their invoice.
Joe Harris

One of the reasons we adopted WorkETC a couple months ago was the promise of the updated apps – specifically, the ability to view and update support cases in the field. Really crucial for our on-site sales and support people.
James Hartley

I find it hard to criticise WETC on much at all, but if I was pushed, really pushed, this is where it is currently – shall we say – “least strong”.
This new release however, should, from the look of it, more than rectify this. Looks fantastic… and I’m with Ryan with a Hallelujah for PIN login. I’m fed up with entering my password in the app.
Now all we need is a release…. eh Daniel?
Luke Faccini

Looking forward to it. Does it do invoicing yet? 😉
John Belchamber

Great work guys, this looks like the update we’ve been waiting for.
Another giant leap forward for WORKetc.
Drew Tennimon

If I switch to Iphone, I will use it…nice work
Domenico Pezzaniti

I am looking forward to the enhanced activity feed, makes it a lot easier to see what has and is happening. The pin login will save some time, and will look forward to when it is TouchID enabled ;). Overall the new app just looks nice and snappy, and more funcitonal, which is great. When I first signed up for WorkETC, I initially hesitated because of the current mobile apps experience. That won’t be an issue for future customers. Great work guys.
Louise Roberts

The timer part of this wil be incredibly useful for our technicians that attend client site for appointments allowing them to record the time they have spent there. Being able to contribute to discussion will also speed up the response times and keep everyone informed no matter where they are. An all round better way of working when away from the office.
Martin Mills

This looks like its coming along quite nicely I am just wondering will the app by natively compatible with Ipad as well as Iphone. With the latest rollout of ios updates i think that would be an essential feature to look at especially with hand off between devices in the Apple range. Will their be other forms of security and integration added into the product.
Brittany Thompson

I love this new app. I also love that you did a video of how it works so we can see it in action. I mainly use the phone app as a timer because most of my work is timed and billable. I do have to say the pin log in is going to be nice because we have sensitive company info in there that not every one should have access to! well done!