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Summer Update 2019 preview: Creating fully branded apps in Woodford

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There’s a reason why sports teams have their logos on all their gear – from caps to socks and everything in between. Apart from selling even more merchandise, it invokes the image and values that both players and fans should buy into.
For businesses it’s pretty much the same. Branding is important because it not only leaves a memorable impression and lets people know what to expect from your company. Crucially, it helps to identify your business and distinguish it from the competition.
And that’s why, for our upcoming Summer Update 2019, we’ve made creating branded mobile apps a matter of a few simple clicks.

Branding your mobile apps has never been easier

The Mobile Apps configurator in Woodford – which will be introduced in the upcoming Summer Update – is designed for all partners and customers who wish to have their own branded applications available on app stores (Apple App Store and Google Play).
Its main page shows a clear overview of all existing mobile app configurations of an organization. Every configuration enables to incorporate your own branding information and icon. The custom icon will be visible in the application itself, in the device application menu and in app store listings.
Users can easily manage their configurations – create, edit, or delete them, request a build or download application build files.
Note: Before using the Mobile Apps configurator for the first time, users must submit their e-mail address.
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Creating a fully branded app

To set up a new custom-branded app click on the ‘New’ button that will open the configuration dialog.
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The dialog is divided into 3 major tabs – General, Android and iOS.
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General

The General tab contains information common for both Android and iOS version of your app. Fields marked with the star sign are mandatory, the rest are optional.
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On the General tab you can also prefill synchronization information, so mobile users don’t need to enter it themselves when they download your app.
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Android

If you wish to build an app for Android devices, check the ‘Set Android Configuration’ on the Android tab. Enabling this setting will reveal the Android icons section.
Your icon must be added in required sizes and in the PNG format. The icon’s background color transparency of must be kept as well, otherwise the build won’t be completed. Please keep in mind, that you are adding one icon with different dimensions and transparency.
Launcher icons can be easily generated using the “Custom icon generator for Android” link, which opens a simple app for icon generation.
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Android icons with transparent background color:
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Android icons with specified background color:
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iOS

If you wish to build an app for iOS devices, check the ‘Set iOS Configuration’ on the iOS tab. Enabling this setting will reveal the iOS icons section.
If you would like to have your iOS application signed, please add iOS signing certificate, its password and iOS provision profile. This setting is optional.
Your icon must be added in required sizes and in the PNG format. The icon’s background color transparency of must be kept as well, otherwise the build won’t be completed. However in this case, icons with transparent background have the background color calculated by iOS. Also please keep in mind, that you are adding one icon with different dimensions and transparency.
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Build request and approval process

Once the configuration dialog is filled out and all icons are added, it is saved as a draft. This means that the configuration is editable and a build hasn’t been requested yet. To request a build, use the “Request” button.
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By hitting the “Request” button, you can officially ask for an application build, which will be a paid service.  You will receive a confirmation email about this request and also an follow-up emails about its approval/denial and completion.

Configuration statuses and their meaning

Draft
1. A new configuration which had been saved but was not requested yet. It is possible to Edit, Request or Delete such configuration.
2. Existing and already completed configuration which has been changed and these changes have been saved. If this configuration has been built already, it is not possible to delete it.
Requested
A configuration which has been saved and requested. At this stage, it is not possible to delete, edit or request a build for this configuration. It is possible to download its already completed builds.
Denied
A configuration that has requested and denied by Resco. The user will receive an email notification with more information.
Approved
A configuration which has been requested and approved by Resco. Its build is already being processed and its download links will be available shortly. The user will receive an email notification with detailed information.
Completed
A build has been completed, and application files are available for download. The user will receive an email notification with detailed information. Once user edits a configuration in this state, it becomes a draft again.

Application files download

When a build is completed, you can download the application files via the ‘Download’ button. It opens a dialog with all builds available for the selected configuration. Use separate Android and iOS ‘download’ links. Links are available only for the platform selected in the configuration.
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Download links are also sent to the email address submitted in the configuration. These links are valid only for 7 days. After this period, you need to request a renewal of links using the “Request Renewal” button. The renewal won’t be immediate, it takes a few hours and you will need to check back for the links later in the day. Your branded app will be waiting for you, ready to take the app stores by storm.
This automated process will generate a custom app build, based on the details provided (icon, splashscreen, prefilled information on sync dialog, etc.). However, the deployment of the app is entirely up to you  – e.g. if you want to list it on the App Store, you need to get a development account, certificate and submit it to the store yourself.
Can’t wait to build your own branded app?
Then keep an eye on our web, blog, and social media, as Resco’s Summer Update 2019 will be released in just a few short days.

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