Support for OMI web in Mobile Operations App

Hi Jakob,

OMI web was released in January this year, so we have not had the opportunity to focus on supporting Mobile Operations yet.  Our first priority is to reduce the parity gap between the desktop and the web client to as close to zero as we can get. So for the moment, the browser is still required and we do not have immediate plans to support Mobile Operations, although that is definitely not precluded.

However, there is also some additional light in this tunnel.  We are currently investigating if we can release OMI web client as a Progressive Web App (PWA).

If you are unfamiliar with the term, a PWA is a type of application software delivered through the web, built using common web technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. PWAs are intended to work on any platform that uses a standards-compliant browser, including both desktop and mobile devices. When installed, PWAs can operate in a standalone window, which hides traditional browser UI elements like the address bar, tabs, and navigation buttons. This makes the PWA experience feel more like a native app.

Some Features of PWAs:

• Responsive: Fits any form factor, whether desktop, mobile, or tablet.
• Connectivity Independent: Works offline or with low-quality networks.
• App-like Interface: Feels like an app to the user with app-style interactions and navigation.
• Fresh: Always up-to-date with the latest content due to service worker update process.
• Safe: Served over HTTPS to prevent snooping and ensure content has not been tampered with.
• Discoverable: Identified as “applications” thanks to W3C manifests and service worker registration scope allowing search engines to find them.
• Re-engageable: Makes re-engagement easy through features like push notifications.
• Installable: Allows users to keep apps they find most useful on their home screen without the hassle of an app store.
• Linkable: Easily shareable via URL and does not require complex installation.

I hope this gives you some reassurance.

-- Ernst

thanks for the reply. Sometimes we are facing company policy rules that do not not allow the use of browser on devices. eg. barcode scanners running Android might be limited to just use very specific applications - not from tech perspective but as a policy. But it seems like PWA is taking care of risk and concerns that might be liked to a free browser and eliminate the need for an app. That would also make maintenance of the devices easier with less applications to update.

I will follow closely; we are getting more request on this topic now with the release of the OMI Web.

(Off record I thought PWA was Professional Windsurfing Association - but now I learned something new ;-))

Thanks, I will try my best to remember to update this thread should anything change.

 - Ernst