Mobile By Purpose™
Don't ask "should this be on mobile?" Ask "what does this task actually need?"
Desktop
- Planning
- Reports
- Analysis
- Configuration
Mobile
- Approval
- Photo & Signature
- GPS & Barcode/QR
- Voice
Construction ERP Case Study™
The clearest real-world illustration of the whole chapter's principle.
| Function | Web (Back Office) | Mobile (Site) |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Budget | ||
| Master Data | ||
| Procurement & Payroll | ||
| Site Photos & Inspection | ||
| Material Requests | ||
| Attendance | ||
| Approvals | ||
| Safety Checks |
Channel Decision Framework™
Five questions decide the channel — before any screen is designed.
- Does the task need a large screen for planning or analysis?
- Does it require reading or entering a lot of structured data?
- Is the person physically moving while doing it?
- Does it need camera, GPS, or a device sensor?
- Is speed of completing one single task the priority?
Role-Based Channel Mapping™
The same ERP, mapped differently for every role.
Mobile
Web + Mobile
Web
Web + Mobile Dashboard
Responsive vs. Adaptive™
Resizing is not the same as redesigning for the channel.
Responsive
Same layout, resizes — good for reports and dashboards.
Adaptive
Different UI per device — Approval Screen is a table on web, a swipeable card stack on mobile.
Offline-First Mobile™
A field app that stops working without signal isn't a field app.
Field Capture Tools™
The sensors a phone has, that a desktop never will.
Progressive Web vs. Native™
A real trade-off, not a default — chosen per project.
| Capability | Progressive Web | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | No app store | |
| Offline Support | Partial | |
| Push Notifications | Limited | |
| Camera / GPS Access | ||
| Update Speed | Instant | Store review |
Multi-Device Continuity™
Start on one device, finish on another — same record, same state, no re-entry.
Tablet as the Middle Ground™
Between the phone's speed and the desktop's depth.
Cross-Channel Notifications™
The same event, delivered consistently wherever the user actually is.
Industry Web/Mobile Matrices™
Construction isn't unique — every industry has its own split.
Healthcare
| Function | Web | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling & Billing | ||
| Bedside Charting | ||
| Medication Scanning |
Field Sales
| Function | Web | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline Analytics | ||
| Customer Visit Check-in | ||
| On-Site Order Capture |
Facility Management
| Function | Web | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| SLA & Contract Config | ||
| Fault Reporting | ||
| Technician Dispatch |
Bandwidth-Aware Design™
A field site is not an office network — design for it explicitly.
Wearables & Emerging Channels™
The channel list keeps growing — design the strategy to extend, not restart.
Channel-Specific Security™
A lost phone and a stolen session are different risks — plan for each.
Mobile
- Biometric Login
- Remote Wipe
- Device Management
Web
- Multi-Factor Auth
- Session Timeout
- IP Restriction
Testing Across Channels™
A field app tested only in an office never survives the field.
- Test on real devices, not just emulators
- Test offline and low-signal scenarios
- Test with gloves and in direct sunlight
- Test on slow and unstable networks
- Test across different screen sizes
Future Multi-Channel Enterprise™
The channel finds the person, not the other way around.