Five tips for B2B companies on mobile transformation

MOBILE Tim Wiengarten, Managing Director of Rabbit Mobile GmbH, names five prerequisites for greater productivity and success with mobile apps.In 2015, the mobile transformation of B2B companies took shape in many areas. However, mobile solutions have often only improved certain areas or specific use cases. This is not enough to break down information silos and create more productivity and better results in departments such as marketing, sales or product development. Tim Wiengarten, Managing Director of Rabbit Mobile GmbH, advises companies to fulfill five prerequisites to ensure that the mobile transformation is a complete success in 2016:

1. no half measures

Digital and mobile change must be aligned with the corporate strategy so that it can have an impact on entire areas of the company and fundamental work processes. Mobile solutions must be based on a company's strategy and culture and build on an existing IT landscape. The technical infrastructure is often supplemented or partially replaced for this purpose.

2. partners for the rocky road

The view of mobile solutions must move away from the idea of "we'll build an app" towards an overall idea that accompanies and supports the strategy. If you can't do it alone, you should get partners on board. They should understand and appreciate the existing processes in the company and provide forward-looking advice, implement the new concepts and provide ongoing support.

3. learning from B2C

The development of mobile solutions is not just about technical know-how, but also about user-friendliness. Aspects such as user-centered design and motivating user guidance do not have to be completely reinvented. There have been many examples of best practice in the B2C world for years. It's not for nothing that people often spend hours using apps on their smartphones and tablets of their own free will. Success will come to those who understand these mechanisms and know how to apply them to mobile business processes in B2B.

4. internal innovation drivers

Mobile business solutions must be supported. Companies need employees who drive the mobile transformation internally. Topics such as compliance and security must also be examined and discussed from a completely new angle. The same applies to the question of how working and working time models from the industrial age can and should be retained at all.

5 Involve instead of running over

Employees who are not directly involved in the mobile transformation process must not be presented with a fait accompli "from above". They should be informed as early as possible and included in discussions in order to recognize the purpose of the mobile transformation and the benefits for themselves and the customer. Employees then learn how to use the mobile applications through training.Mobile transformation ensures the survival of companiesTim Wiengarten, Managing Director of rabbit mobile GmbH: "The mobile transformation, with all its opportunities and risks, is one of the first major developments to emerge from the consumer world into the business world. In fact, mobile apps will change and replace large parts of established business processes in B2B companies in the coming years. Companies that do not start dealing with the mobile transformation now will not survive in the long term."