Mobile banking apps: clients are asking for more

A recent article by Karl Flinders in Computer Weekly discusses how banks are innovating applications in response to recent mobile demands. Cloud solutions in particular are being adopted to increase agility and cut costs. This is not an isolated trend. Many industries are being attracted to the power and reach of mobile applications and cost-effectiveness of Cloud Computing.

The first step

Similar to the strategy of some European banks, many companies decided to introduce their mobile platform by simply emulating their web applications (with some adjustments). Basically, they wanted to have something running on mobile devices. With HTML 5, there was an expectation that there would be no need to develop native apps, and the transition to mobile devices would be smooth and risk-averse. But that is not completely true. Even though companies were satisfied with the results of HTML 5, they were not really getting the most from mobile devices.

A tantalizing half-step

To get the most from mobile apps, it´s necessary to use the embedded features of the device. The new applications being introduced by smaller companies that seem to get the most out of each device are very tantalizing. But that’s only half the story. The other half of the story is on the back end. The reality for most large banks (and other companies) is that it takes more time to implement a fully functional solution due to legacy IT systems and architecture. Features like NFC (Near Field Communication) open a wide range of alternatives. It could allow banks to replace their credit cards, money-handling systems, and badges.

A better next step

With out-dated infrastructure, some banks are struggling to integrate different platforms to create a more dynamic and agile development environment. But this is changing. With the adoption of cloud solutions (private, public, or hybrid), banks are able to deliver value on mobile apps by reducing development costs and improving time to market. By going to the cloud, the variable workload is better managed. Computer power is used and paid only when needed. And some mobile apps can be securely hosted on public and hybrid clouds.

The combination of cloud and mobility is inevitable. Make sure you combine a modernized, dynamic IT environment with those state-of-the-art device applications when launching solutions that will truly meet the expectations that your customers are asking for.