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Mobile App Working Group
Contact: Johan Olander (European Spallation Source ERIC)
The purpose of the Mobile App working group is to produce a sustainable way for JACoW Conferences to deploy apps for our supported conferences. This group should aim to coordinate their efforts during and between team meetings. Paperless conferences are bound to happen, more and more delegates keeps asking for digital tools. From a LOC's perspective this can be quite the challenge to manage. The app market is very much in flux and cannot be easily or affordably maintained in an organization like JACoW.
History
- The first was IPAC'15 followed by IPAC'16.
- IPAC'17 will be the third conference to deploy an app.
- Mixed/few reviews but the general usage was pretty high.
- Not a common app - so far.
- Paperless conferences are bound to happen.
- IPAC'15 team suggested this working group at last IPAC.
Goals
- Should be a commitment from the larger conferences to be helpful in supporting the next in series.
- Develop a standard set of features to familiarise the community with our approach.
- Document how to set up SPMS for data extracts.
- Ensure a good platform for feedback and support.
Recommendations and scope
Most conferences have a widely spread list of delegates, the single and most important feature people are asking for is that the app work offline.
Platforms:
- Android Native, iOS Native
Timing & Release:
Suggested launch date: April 2017 (C-1 month)
Downloads:
- App made available on the following App Markets: Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app will be available for 10 months after the conference.
Limitations:
- The app should supports the operating system Apple iOS v7.1 - 9.1 and Google Android v 4.0.3 - 6.0.
Login required:
- No, this could be the case for sponsor features or exhibitor features.
Data & Integration :
- If the app is online, data can be uploaded to the CMS by the conference organisers (e.g. from SPMS, making as much use as possible of the XML
Reports:
- Google Analytics to collect statistics within the app; current plans to add some of it as easier access directly within a CMS.
Proposed features
| Feature | Function |
|---|
| PROGRAMME | Scientific Programme & Social Events shown in list form |
| INFO PAGES | Welcome Notes, venue information, Companion Programme |
| SPEAKERS LIST | Contain name, affiliation, link to abstract, short bio, picture |
| PUSH NEWS | possibility to send messages to all delegates [data needed] |
| NOTES | Enables user to make notes throughout various places in the app |
| MY CONFERENCE | personal choices and selections, created by clicking like-button onto posters, talks, speakers, exhibition booths etc. |
| SEARCH | Enable users to easily search the entire app |
| ABSTRACT LIST | With info on talk [speaker, time and place] for orals and PDF of poster for posters |
| INDUSTRY EXHIBITOR LIST | Possibility to include logos, company info, links etc., plus position in Exhibitor Hall |
| POSTER SESSIONS | filtered by Poster Session date & time [colour-coded per section TBD]> Main Classifications > Poster code, title, author, abstract, PDF of poster |
| ABSTRACT LIST | Info on talk [speaker, time and place] for orals and PDF of poster for posters |
| CONFERENCE SUMMARY | Offers an email summary of "my conference" |
Exhibitor features
| Feature | Function |
|---|
| SPLASH | appears when the app opens, banner highlighting max. 3 app sponsors |
| Enhanced info for exhibitors | logos, short text, contact info, phone number, email address |
Constraints and gotchas
- SPMS is being decommissioned within the comming years, indico will pick up its role.
- App development may sound really cheap to LOC or OR, but is in fact very demanding.
- Budget constrains probably applies for a lot of the conferences
Future deliverables
- Specification of data interface
- Architectural best practice for deploying apps
- Vendors - what have been used where?
References
Include links to related information that team members may find useful, for example, tutorials, presentations, and software sites.
