Mobile Products on the Horizon

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Updated: February 18th 2013

This page is a place where we can put design ideas and topics being discussed around all things mobile. This might mean mobile products for members, such as new functionality for It’s Me 247 Mobile Web Banking, or new Mobile App strategies. We will also use this page to cover ideas related to CU*BASE functionality on mobile devices.

Mobile for Members

We are continuing to work on the It’s Me 247 Mobile Web foundation as the base for interacting with third-party mobile app developers, to keep credit unions active with new entries in the marketplace. Quick and easy launches are the key to seeing which vendors will emerge to help us understand a common API expectation and integration requirement for third parties selected by our clients. As this model emerges we will develop revenue models around API integration support that complements our no-fee mobile web integration models.

Read about Online Channel Strategies from the 2012 CEO School

Ideas on the drawing board for the next phase of It’s Me 247 Mobile Web Banking development:

See & jump to other CU memberships
Check images
Look and feel update to support CU branding/colors
A2A transfers
Smart Messages (banner ads)
Loan app/loan request form
Membership application
Personal information update

CU*BASE and Tablets

From almost the first day the iPad was introduced, there have been third-party products designed to allow tablets to emulate different environments and be connected to office or business applications, including CU*BASE.

But these connections are not about taking full advantage of the tablet environment, they’re simply about getting connected and letting the user deal with the shortcomings. The user has to figure out how to use a tablet keyboard, the user has to figure out the print drivers and other issues. And the user has to do a risk assessment on the security issues. CU*BASE is an intense database with a many keyboard processes baked in, and that creates additional challenges.

For credit unions that feel compelled to take on these challenges, we are aware of third-party products from people like Sonic Wall that are being used to connect to CU*BASE via a tablet. But CU*Answers does not support nor warrant the use of these tactics today. We will consult to a point, and offer advice, and even connect interested inquirers with others who are going down this path, but we cannot endorse these techniques as best practice.

So how will CU*Answers be investing in tablet and mobile app development? We have two projects underway, intended primarily as prototypes to help us add a new skill set to our network: a “factory” for building new tablet applications in the future.

"My CU Today"
An app that’s a little like the morning paper: Scan key stats about your credit union as you drink your morning coffee. Just-in-time information like member activity, delinquency, and a quick look at the financials. Designed to engage CU leaders that might not sign on every day to CU*BASE, and give them a heads-up on what to check when they get to the office. Tailor a product, build a new kind of web-layer analytics database, engage a new user base (even Board members?). A project that would validate the production process.
Tiered Service Member Relationship Tracking & Penetration Analysis
Another app aimed at reaching an audience that might not use CU*BASE every day but needs the insight that a CU*BASE dashboard can provide. This project would adapt existing Tiered Services analysis dashboards to operate independently of CU*BASE, taking advantage of the tablet user interface. Similar to the first project but requiring a new style of messaging between the app and the core database, with an eye toward building a template that other CU*BASE dashboards can use in the future.

Other Ideas On The Drawing Board

After we build the prototypes that will let us define our new factory, here are some other things we’re considering for the future:

Mini-apps for retail delivery of member interactions in branches
Additional web apps for the more integrated and even authenticated web user
Push-marketing APIs that will drive the expansion of online banking, mobile web, and mobile app features

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Mobile Products on the Horizon

This Recipe's Chefs

Mobile for Members

CU*BASE and Tablets

Other Ideas On The Drawing Board

Ways to Stay Connected

Press Releases