Mobile applications add a complementary experience to the existing tour and can even provide a form of scenography for tours outside the establishment and the exploration of heritage sites.
We have created application templates for Android (Google) and IOS (Apple) native applications, and for PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) that are based on technical functions of the web and do not need to be downloaded from the stores.
Programmes for mobiles are also adapted to tablets and smartphones for all visitor tours for museums, heritage sites and corporate exhibitions.
For the visit, mobile applciations offer diverse solutions, all covered by Wezit and using equipment that can enhance the features:
Native applications
A few years ago native applications (those that are available on the stores) were the only solutions. They are used for projects offering a wide range of features, including customer loyalty schemes.
These applications can now provide a very precise indoor and outdoor positioning function.
Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
These hybrid applications first appeared in 2018 and they are a combination of an application (a shortcut is downloaded and appears alongside smartphone applications) and the web (the programme operates online and uses web technology).
We have developed application templates that can be personalised for these two types of technology.
| Easy to download | Push and follow-up | Positioning | Augmented Reality | |
| Native applications | Visitors download apps if they think that the service offered is of good quality. The functional quality offered is far superior to that of the PWAs. If a network exists or is made available, users can download the application without needing too much memory. | Push features are available during the tour and afterwards (notifications for new events, etc). | Outdoor positioning using GPS and indoor positioning using Beacons technology. Covers between 2 and 5 m depending on how the place is set up and how the beacons are laid out. | Makes use of the native features of systems (AR Core for Android and AR Kit for Apple). Very good quality |
| Progressive Web App | The captive portal (webpage that automatically opens when WiFi connection is available) is essential. Otherwise, the user has to enter a URL (to be entered through a search engine) or activate a QR Code (not everyone knows how to use them). | Push features are only available during the visit. The application has to remain open. If the visitor uses another app on their phone, all the PWA features are disabled. | Outdoor positioning using GPS. Indoor positioning is still not very reliable to-date, the web mode does not provide access to numerous system resources such as Bluetooth or identifying WiFi access points. | Augmented reality is not accurate enough and often replaced by substitutional reality. |
The Wezit Mobile application templates, two possibilities :
We use our application templates that have been designed to be flexible and adaptable for the most common of uses. You will therefore benefit from top-quality developments that have already been tried and tested, for Android and IOS, and for PWAs.
One of our technical partners, in one of the 14 countries covered by the Wezit offer, can develop a programme that is perfectly suited to your needs, in partnership with Wezit.
Some common misconceptions…
“When downloading a native application, data must be downloaded too”
NO -This is an incorrect argument based on past uses. A few years ago, due to weak networks, data had to be downloaded along with the application, from the beginning. A native application can represent just a few MB and then data can be downloaded as it is being used. PWAs can only download a few hundred MB maximum where there is no internet connection on-site: this means it is necessary to have internet connection when using a PWA. This network can be a private one and installed by us, using one of our technical partners, or it may be already available on-site.
“A PWA is not compatible with some smartphones”
NO – The Web technology used mean they can be adapted to the search engine used by different versions of smartphone. If you are using an old phone, the compatibility may cause a reduction in some features or an added cost to adapt this to different versions.
“Users replace applications downloaded from the stores with PWAs because they do not want to add any more new applications.”
YES and NO – The result should meet the requirements. A programme of average quality with basic content will not be used on the stores, or in PWA mode. Users will be willing to download an app if they believe that the experience is worth it, and if they think that the service on offer will go beyond the duration of the visit. They are more likely to use a PWA if the museum, point of interest or exhibition venue offer a top-quality internet connection, with a captive portal (as soon as you connect to WiFi, you are taken to the programme page), and if the connection is good enough to access more in-depth details wherever needed.
“ It is not possible to add bookmarks on a PWA so that the visitor can find their favourites for future visits “
NO – The use of cookies means that this type of data is stored. It is true that native applications manage this data much better, but it is relatively simple to store this information on PWA.
RMN Grand Palais
Paris- France
If you enjoy the exhibitions at the RMN Grand Palais as much as we do, you’ve probably already downloaded the application for each of their temporary exhibitions. The Grand Palais called upon Wezit mobile to create a personalised tour experience, for all the exhibitions there.
Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace
Paris le Bourget – France
Mobile application based on Wezit templates. The French Air and Space Museum offers visitors the possibility to use a visit platform for the indoor and outdoor areas of the museum. The collections include some of the most iconic pieces in aerospace.
Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Paris – France
For the zoo at the Jardin des Plantes in the Natural History Museum in Paris, children can play a game during their visit, creating an adventure that takes them on a discovery to meet the experts and learn all about wildlife.
TJG Theater Junge Generation
Dresde – Allemagne
Platform Shift+ is a joint project announced by the European Commission, involving 11 partners and 9 different countries, offering showings for young children, combining traditional and innovative means.