In 2014 we plan to release a mobile webapp version our Wild Apricot administrative backend.

In our current plans this mobile administration will give administrators mobile access to the key event and contact/member features found in the desktop version of Wild Apricot (i.e. contact search, contact/member editing, adding attendees, etc) as well as some new features that should simplify event/member management (i.e.event attendance tracking, membership approval lists, universal contact/event search, profile pictures and more).

As we finalized our initial designs we will be publishing screens and prototypes in this thread so everyone can participate in the review and discussion of our mobile plans. But if you have any questions or comments at this stage feel free to post them below to get the ball rolling.

UPDATED 16 April 2013: Check out the sneak preview http://forums.wildapricot.com/forums/308920-archive/suggestions/8834701-smartphone-access-iphone-android-etc-for-admi of our designs

I agree! Need a smartphone app for registrations and CHECK IN on site! Thanks

Most probably in 5.1, though it doesn't say much since timing of 5.1 is not set yet.

Is this slated for a specific software release? 5.1?

This is what we are designing now. No schedule though.

We are going into that direction. Our next release will contain new themes that are built using "responsive design" concept - web site changes its view depending on a devices it's being viewed from. On the next releases we consider adding ability for any site to choose second this, to be used specifically for mobile devices (and we are going to provide several of them)

The main thing we would want is our directory to be mobile optimized. It offers great value to our members for the general public to be able to easily find them, and that would make a big difference for smart phone users. (A "near me" functionality and mapping function are also on our wishlist.)

Timeline not clear yet. Check our blog, I will publish a post about our mobile plans shortly.

Any updates on the timeline of when we might be able to edit/send e-mails from mobile devices (i.e. iPad or Androids)?

Dmitry, we second all of BlueOceanGroup's priorities.

@blueoceangroup - really appreciate your input, this is exactly the kind of info we are looking for to help us prioritize. FYI, the general RSVP capability is something we know we need to implement in WA - on desktop as well - since our current functionality it tailored to complex registrations.

To your question, there is no way now for any outside service to integrate with WA, sorry.

Hey Dmitry,

Yes, pretty please, do something on the mobile front this year. Should work on all devices, including Blackberry.

All 3 are important. But if you were to prioritize, we need to look at the bottomline:

1. 1st priority - Event registrations for members that recognizes the email as member, so it is a quick "click";

2. 2nd priority - Event registrations for the public

And the ability to collect payment (for paid events) quickly as well...

Admin functions are important. But not as critical as the bottom line. It is easier to persuade the admins to go to a computer to handle the process than to persuade your entire memberhsip and potential members to go back to their desks and take care of this...

I just did a test Friday with an event and asked members to got to the site to RSVP. Only 2 out of 1400 did it! everyone else said it was too difficult and replied to me privately via email or Facebook, and I had to go and fish them out of my inbox to sign them up outside WA... And I wonder about those who would have attended, but since it took too long, just closed the email on their mobiles and forgot about it...

Is there a way to do this using a separate service that could "talk" to WA?

We also would greatly value the ability to update pages and trigger actions (like emails) from an iPad. The iOS version of the Safari browser does fine for viewing pages, but it doesn't currently seem to support editing on webpages or some other administrative tasks. As Jami said, it's nice to be able to view, but editing would be a big improvement in functionality. Thanks for considering these feature requests.

A mobile friendly version of our WA site would be a fabulous addition. It would be especially nice for folks to be able to use their mobile browser to read information about our events, to respond to invitations, and perhaps even to make donations.

I think all three are important. My organization has completed migrated our website to the WA system and it would be nice if our visitors could view our website in a smartphone friendly environment. Also, it would be nice if members could renew and register for events. And as administrator I'd like to access the back of the house items from an app for my android phone/tablet.

thanks

Thanks for sharing usage scenarios.

No timeline yet.

In terms of the administration access, I would like to be able to send emails to our members as we are trying to integrate the use of IPads into our operations. Right now I can pull up the administration side to view contacts, events, accept/reject new members but run into issues when I attempt to e-mail from the system when on a tablet (Android or IPad). Our work requires us to work during disasters to share information about the situation and it would be ideal if we could update our website and send emails to our members from an IPad. Do you have an estimated timeframe as to when the application will allow for this functionality? It's great to be able to view but I'd really like to be able to edit and send emails. Thanks.

Thanks!

Re #2: This should be possible now, depending on your selected theme and customization, did you test this?

Re #1: I would appreciate more detail. You are talking about admin access, correct? What information is needed and how is it used? View only or also updates?

[quote user="Chief_Apricot"]

Mobile access is one of our priorities for this year. Key question - which I would really appreciate input on - is:

What particular functions are most important for mobile access?

- for public visitors

- for members

- for admins

[/quote]

From my perspective:

1. Event information/attendees. Most of the time, when we need to use the mobile app is when we're onsite at an event and don't have access to a computer.

2. Event registrations. We use Twitter and Facebook to announce and promote events. If users see an event on Twitter on their phone, I want them to be able to go there and log in.

This should be possible even now, did you try this? Also, we are experimenting with mobile-tailored theme customization, we will post updates on the Designers forum in the next few weeks.