New Guy Here - What's the Point of Apps??

Data_Devon

I want to create an App and explore the App Studio, but it just seems like another dashboard. I am missing the "Vision" or the "Why" behind the App Studio.

What can an App do that a Dashboard can't? What problem is an App solving?

I'm sure there's value and helpful apps out there, so wanted to ask and gain some inspiration.

ArborRose

The basic difference is probably the flexibility and customization in the user experience that an app provides. Dashboards are rigid in structure. With an app you can design a custom interface tailored to specific roles, tasks, or workflows.

Dashboards aren't always mobile-friendly. Apps can be designed for mobile use. Apps can also be multi-page. Selecting a region or department on one page could take the user to another page with detailed breakdowns.

https://community-forums.domo.com/main/discussion/66386/app-studio-q-a-from-domopalooza

MarkSnodgrass

You are not alone in asking that question. The advantages of App Studio are improved branding and formatting control. It also has a better form module. It still lacks some features that dashboards have, but they are working on adding them. Many people wonder why they didn't just enhance dashboards with these features.

ArborRose

The basic difference is probably the flexibility and customization in the user experience that an app provides. Dashboards are rigid in structure. With an app you can design a custom interface tailored to specific roles, tasks, or workflows.

Dashboards aren't always mobile-friendly. Apps can be designed for mobile use. Apps can also be multi-page. Selecting a region or department on one page could take the user to another page with detailed breakdowns.

https://community-forums.domo.com/main/discussion/66386/app-studio-q-a-from-domopalooza

MarkSnodgrass

You are not alone in asking that question. The advantages of App Studio are improved branding and formatting control. It also has a better form module. It still lacks some features that dashboards have, but they are working on adding them. Many people wonder why they didn't just enhance dashboards with these features.

Data_Devon

Thank you @MarkSnodgrass and @ArborRose ! I'm glad I'm not alone, and I look forward to exploring more.

Jessary

Just getting into Domo, and I am just now having this question. Has anyone discovered more reasons why you'd use an app over a dashboard? It seems that dashboards might be the secondary choice at some point.

Data_Devon

@Jessary I still haven't touched Apps and have been able to accomplish everything we need with a normal Dashboard.

I agree though, I think the Apps are the faster bigger better cousin of the Dashboard, so once you go App you won't go back.

But for those of us living on Dashboards, we can continue because if it ain't broke….

ArborRose

I think it also has a lot to do with interactivity. Apps have more capability with workflows, forms, etc.

I agree with @Data_Devon. If dashboards work for you, use them. There's no need to work through apps if you are monitoring/analyzing metrics without more process needs.