Locale, a pioneer in digital property management, explores how business app development and adoption have helped businesses to navigate the pandemic crisis.
In the UK, fighting COVID-19 is intrinsically linked with an app strategy, the most infamous of course being the NHS Track & Trace, an app designed to digitally control the virus through a QR code scanner which collects data of those using it, following their movements.
The NHS aren’t the only ones to take advantage of app development in order to support the population through COVID, lockdown, and subsequent restrictions as the country moved to their mobile devices, with business communication apps such as Zoom saving the day for companies hoping to ensure productivity and a seamless work-from-home transition.
App Usage & Adoption
According to new data from app intelligence firm App Annie, overall app usage amongst the population soared 40% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2020. All categories have seen growth in downloads such as entertainment and tools, but other categories like Business, Health & Fitness, and Education have witnessed downloads of 115%, 75% and 50% respectively on Google Play. This shift suggests that consumers are turning to their phones for more than games and socialising, but rather looking to digitally connect with businesses, making a digital recovery essential for sectors hoping to survive the ongoing crises.
Already we have seen businesses begin to embrace what the app can do. From the hospitality sector offering table service, made easy with an app for customers to order and receive their items without the need for moving around the establishment, to gyms staying connected with their members by providing home workout videos and exercises. Considering pubs and restaurants were miles behind adopting app service, with only a handful such as Wetherspoons offering this pre-pandemic, it is remarkable to witness this fast-track adoption.
The property industry is no different, with a vast range of proptech tools available to support building managers to manage places, spaces and occupiers as buildings begin to repopulate. Buildings that do not offer a digital channel such as an app or online hub will be unable to securely or conveniently connect people with the places they occupy, and ultimately will be unsuccessful in a full post-pandemic reoccupation, as technology consumption has been cemented as part of combatting COVID-19 in the eyes of consumers. Without a means to unite all key stakeholders quickly and conveniently, properties will experience a long, slow lag towards recovery.
Locale App-preciates Touchless Tech
The Locale App has been developed to create an all-encompassing experience for building managers and occupiers with real-time communications, promoting local offers and exclusive perks, providing virtual experiences and events, and receiving notifications for visitors, keys, announcements & deliveries.
Now with the COVID-19 crises fuelling the need for touchless technology, Locale has developed and introduced a number of features that support this growing demand. This includes; Digital Access Passes, a module created with our recent integration with Doordeck and Delivery Notifications, enabling contactless collection by sending a notification to the user which can then be signed for on the user’s mobile device.
Silent Digital Revolution
It’s become glaringly obvious that businesses, including the property sector, must connect with people where they will most likely be before, during, and after COVID-19 – on their mobile phones. By adopting a new user interface, buildings are enabled to be more intimately connected with their occupants and more likely to not only survive the crises, but be prepared and ready for future restrictions.