Web SaaS extended to mobile in just 2 weeks.
A project management SaaS needed mobile access for field teams. We extended their existing web platform to iOS and Android in 2 weeks using Expo, with push notifications, offline task access, and biometric authentication.
The short version.
A B2B project management platform had field teams that couldn’t access the system from job sites. Workers were photographing task boards, texting updates, and data-entering everything at the end of the day. The web app worked on desktop but was unusable on mobile browsers.
Through our SaaS development practice, we built a focused mobile companion app using Expo that gives field teams the 20% of features they need 80% of the time: task lists, status updates, photo uploads, and time tracking. By scoping tightly and leveraging the existing REST API, we shipped to both app stores in just 2 weeks.
Field teams disconnected from the platform.
The web platform was feature-rich for office users, but field teams (the ones doing the actual work) couldn’t use it effectively from their phones:
- End-of-day data entry: field workers recorded updates on paper or in texts, then entered them into the system at the end of the day; data was 8-12 hours stale
- Photo workflow broken: workers took photos on phones, emailed them to office staff, who manually uploaded and attached them to tasks
- No real-time visibility: project managers had no idea what was happening in the field until workers returned to the office
- Clunky mobile web: the responsive web app technically worked on mobile but required too many taps, loaded slowly, and forms were unusable
- Enterprise deal blocker: larger clients required a mobile app for their field teams; “use the website” wasn’t acceptable
They didn’t need the full web app on mobile. They needed a focused tool for field-specific workflows, and they needed it fast to close pending deals.
Focused mobile companion in 2 weeks.
Instead of rebuilding the entire web app for mobile, we identified the critical field workflows and built a focused companion app that does those things exceptionally well:
- Task management: view assigned tasks, update status, add notes, and mark complete, optimized for one-handed mobile use
- Photo capture: take photos directly in the app, auto-attached to the current task with GPS location and timestamp
- Offline mode: tasks cached locally; updates queue and sync when connectivity returns; works in basements and remote sites
- Push notifications: instant alerts for new task assignments, deadline reminders, and status change requests
- Biometric auth: Face ID and fingerprint login; field workers can check the app in seconds without typing passwords
- Time tracking: start/stop timer per task with GPS-verified location; eliminates paper timesheets
Expo app consuming existing REST API.
The mobile app is a thin client consuming the existing web platform’s REST API. No backend changes were needed — we built entirely on top of existing endpoints, adding only a push notification service.
Thin client | 2-week build on existing API
Using Expo allowed us to skip native build configuration entirely and ship OTA (over-the-air) updates after launch. Bug fixes reach users in minutes without going through app store review. The existing API was well-designed enough, following solid multi-tenant architecture patterns, that zero backend changes were needed; we added only a push notification microservice.
“Two weeks from kickoff to both app stores. Our field teams adopted it instantly because it does exactly what they need and nothing more. We closed two enterprise deals within a month of launching the app.”
Product Manager, B2B SaaS platform
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