Custom mobile apps
Capture field data once, at the source, and see it in the office
Engineers, drivers and sales reps still fill in paper forms that someone retypes later. We build iOS and Android apps that work without signal, capture photos, barcodes and locations, and sync straight into Zoho or Odoo, so the office sees the job as it happens.
- Zoho Premium Partner
- Official Odoo Partner
- ISTQB-certified testers
Field to office
What happens between the field and the office?
Tick what you see in your own operation. Some of these call for a custom app, and some can be solved with standard mobile tools.
Field teams still fill in paper forms
Root cause: Your systems were designed for desks, so the only way to record work on site is paper or a free-text message.
Cost if ignored: Illegible notes, lost sheets and evenings spent typing up reports.
The office hears a job is done the next day
Root cause: Updates travel back with the person rather than from the device, so status lags the real work by hours.
Cost if ignored: Late invoicing, idle schedulers and customers chasing you for confirmation.
The app stops working when there is no signal
Root cause: Web apps and browser forms need connectivity, and nobody designed for basements, rural sites or large warehouses.
Cost if ignored: Data lost mid-job, duplicate entries and teams who abandon the tool.
We cannot prove what was done on site
Root cause: There is no structured capture of photos, timestamps, locations or customer sign-off tied to the job record.
Cost if ignored: Disputed invoices, weaker compliance evidence and slower resolution of complaints.
Customers want to order and track on their phone
Root cause: Ordering and tracking data exists in your ERP, but there is no mobile front end designed for customers.
Cost if ignored: Customers drift to suppliers who make repeat ordering quicker and easier.
Staff juggle several apps that do not talk
Root cause: Tools were bought one at a time for single tasks, each with its own login and data, none of it connected.
Cost if ignored: Double entry, training overhead and data that never reaches the core system.
Tick the ones that apply
Each of these has a fix, and not all of them need a custom app.
How we approach it
Designed on site, not at a desk
Mobile apps fail when they are designed around the office. We start where the work happens, test in real conditions and connect everything back to your CRM or ERP.
01Ride along
See the work, the conditions and the paperwork first-hand.
What we do
We spend time with field staff, drivers or warehouse teams to see how jobs really run: gloves, poor signal, time pressure and all. We collect every form and note they use and trace where the data goes next.
You receive
- Field process map
- Form and data inventory
- Connectivity and device survey
“What does your team do today when the signal drops halfway through a job?”
02Pick the platform
Choose low-code, cross-platform or native based on need.
What we do
Zoho Creator apps run natively on iOS and Android with offline entry and barcode scanning, and can be published under your own brand. Where low-code falls short, we recommend a custom cross-platform or native build instead.
You receive
- Platform recommendation
- Device and OS support list
- Fixed milestone plan
“Is this app for your staff, your customers, or both?”
03Prototype the screens
Test key screens with the people who will use them.
What we do
We prototype the few screens used most, such as the job list and job report, and test them with field staff on real devices. Large buttons, fewer fields and sensible defaults matter more than visual polish.
You receive
- Clickable prototype
- Usability findings
- Signed-off screen designs
“Which field could we remove from this form without losing anything you need?”
04Build, sync and test
Develop the app and its offline sync to your systems.
What we do
We build the app and its sync logic against your Zoho or Odoo test environment, including conflict rules for records changed in two places. ISTQB-certified testers run tests on real devices, offline, on poor networks and with low battery.
You receive
- Working app builds
- Sync and conflict rules
- Device test report
“If the office and the engineer edit the same job offline, which change should win?”
05Roll out and support
Publish, train and keep the app current.
What we do
We handle App Store and Google Play publishing or private distribution for internal apps, train users in short sessions and monitor crashes and sync errors. Operating systems update every year, so we plan maintenance from day one.
You receive
- Store or private distribution
- User training
- Maintenance plan
“Who in your team will champion the app with colleagues in the first month?”
What changes
What changes when the field goes digital
Data capture
Paper forms retyped at the office
Data entered once on site, synced to CRM or ERP
Visibility
Job status known the next morning
Office sees completion as soon as the device syncs
Connectivity
Work stalls when the signal drops
App works offline and syncs when back in range
Evidence
No proof of what happened on site
Photos, barcode scans and locations on every job
Customers
Orders by phone and email only
Customers reorder and track from their phone
What we build
Apps built for the conditions your teams work in
We build for staff and for customers, choosing low-code or custom development based on what the app must do and who will maintain it.
Field service apps
Job lists, checklists, parts used, photos and customer sign-off, synced to your scheduling and invoicing so jobs close faster.
Warehouse and stock apps
Barcode scanning for receiving, picking and stock counts, connected to inventory in Odoo or Zoho so levels stay accurate.
Sales rep apps
Customer history, price lists and order capture on the road, with orders flowing into your CRM or ERP for fulfilment.
Customer apps
Branded apps for reordering, bookings and tracking, drawing on live data from your systems rather than a separate database.
Offline sync
Local storage and conflict rules so work continues without signal and records reconcile cleanly when the device reconnects.
Distribution and device security
App Store and Google Play publishing, or private distribution for internal apps, plus secure sign-in and controlled updates.
Honest fit
Do you need a custom mobile app?
This is right for you if
- Staff record work away from a desk every day
- Some of your sites have poor or no mobile signal
- You need photos, scans or locations tied to records
- Your back office runs on Zoho, Odoo or a system with an API
It is probably not right if
- Your team only needs to view a few records. The standard Zoho or Odoo mobile apps may be enough.
- Your forms are simple and always used online. A responsive web form is quicker and cheaper to maintain.
- Nobody will own the app after launch. Agree an owner first, because every app needs regular updates.
Why Thoughtlogik
Why Thoughtlogik for mobile apps
Connected from the start
Our apps are designed around the CRM or ERP records they update, because we implement Zoho and Odoo and know their data models well.
Low-code where it fits
Our team holds Zoho Creator developer and solutions provider certifications, so we can deliver native mobile apps faster on Creator when it meets the need.
Real-device testing
ISTQB-certified testers check every release on real phones and tablets, with poor connectivity, offline use and sync conflicts all covered.
Secure handling of data
ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certification guide how we handle authentication, data stored on devices and access to your back-office systems.
- Zoho Premium Partner
- Official Odoo Partner
- ISO 27001 certified
- ISO 9001:2015
- Cyber Essentials
Walk us through a day in the field
Tell us how your teams record work today. We will show you what a mobile app could capture, whether low-code or custom fits best and how it would sync to your systems.
Related services
Often combined with mobile apps.
FAQs
Questions buyers ask us
Should we build native or cross-platform?
Cross-platform suits most business apps because one codebase serves iOS and Android, which keeps build and maintenance costs down. Native development makes sense when you need maximum performance or deep use of device hardware. Low-code platforms such as Zoho Creator are often the fastest option for internal data capture apps. We recommend based on your requirements.
Can the app work without a mobile signal?
Yes, if it is designed for it. We build offline-first apps that store data on the device and sync when connectivity returns, with rules for what happens if the same record changed elsewhere. Zoho Creator also supports offline data entry that syncs automatically once a device is back online.
Can it connect to Zoho or Odoo?
Yes. Custom apps connect through the Zoho CRM REST API or Odoo’s external API, and Zoho Creator apps work directly on Creator data with integrations to other Zoho apps. For Odoo, external API access requires the Custom pricing plan, so we check this during scoping.
Will you publish the app to the App Store and Google Play?
Yes. We prepare store listings and handle submission for public apps, or set up private distribution for internal staff apps. Zoho Creator apps can also be published as rebranded native apps under your own organisation’s name. Store review timelines are set by Apple and Google, so we plan launch dates around them.
How do you protect data stored on phones?
We store only what the user needs offline, protect it on the device, require secure sign-in and make it possible to remove access when a device is lost or a person leaves. Where personal data is involved, we help you document it for UK GDPR, including how long data stays on devices.
What happens when iOS or Android updates?
Apple and Google release major operating system updates every year, and they can change how apps behave. We include compatibility testing and updates in our maintenance plans, so your app keeps working and stays within store requirements without a scramble each autumn.
Start your project
Ready to build your app?
Tell us about your business and goals. A certified consultant will get back to you within one working day with practical next steps.
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- UK-based Zoho and Odoo partner
- Clear plan, milestones and pricing