The document discusses the development and integration of the University of Edinburgh's mobile app, u@ed, which aims to enhance student access to information via smartphones. Key features include location-based services, course information, and future enhancements like Blackberry support and bus timetables. The document highlights the increasing usage of mobile devices among students and the importance of mobile accessibility for the university's services.

1. The University Martin Morrey
Web Integration
of Edinburgh’s Manager
Mobile App 2nd March 2012

2. • Why Mobile
• Selecting a Solution
• What is U@Ed?
• Demo
• Future Plans

3. Why Mobile

4. Can’t Ignore It
Mobile visits day-1 to *ed.ac.uk
Nov Feb
‘09 ‘11
Recent mobile survey (Dec ’11):
• 95%* had a smartphone
• ~50% Apple, ~30% Android
• Up from 67% in Oct 2010, 50% March 2010
* voluntary selection bias…?

5. Selecting a Solution

6. Possible Solutions
• Home build apps
• Mobile web, e.g. uPortal Mobile
• Vendor Solution
– Blackboard Mobile Campus
– Ombiel CampusM

7. What is U@Ed?

8. What is U@Ed?
• Smartphone app
– #1: students
• UoE info on the go
• Location based:
– Maps
– PC availability
– “Friend Finder”
• Courses (WebCT)
• Timetable (MVM)

9. Apps + Web
• Apple (iOS)
• Android
• Blackberry

10. Management Console

11. Integrations
RSS CampusM Voyager
News Manager OPAC
Feeds
PC Bus Map
Alerts
Availability Track Data

12. Demo
U@Ed on iPad

13. Future Plans

14. Expected Additions
• Blackberry support (March ‘12)
• Usage tracking (from March ’12)
• Bus Timetables (tbc)

15. Longer Term Additions
• Integrated Announcments (Alerts)
– U@Ed and MyEd
• Course Timetables are MVM only
– Awaiting central timetables
• Student Diary (Office 365)

16. Other Ideas
• QR Codes on Library Shelves?
– Search within shelfmark range?
• Job Shop
– vacancies for students, drawn from
SAGE database
• DropBox-style integration to shared
file system
• Freshers module

17. More Info
www.ed.ac.uk/is/mobile-campus
Martin.Morrey@ed.ac.uk
@martinmorrey
Web Integration Manager
Applications Division, Information Services,
University of Edinburgh
0131 651 5233