End Client Trip Search with White-label iPhone App

Overview

The following use case will guide you through the step-by-step process of taking your new iOS mobile app from setup to distribution.

We recommend that you read through each section of the guide before beginning work on the process described in that chapter. This may take a few extra minutes, but we assure you that it will save you some headaches in the long run.

Setup walk-through

This section will quickly explain how the iOS mobile app setup works, what you will need to do at each stage of the process and what you can expect.

Step 1: Setup iOS Developer Account

The first thing you will need to do once you have purchased a white-label mobile app from Avinode is to setup an iOS Developer Account with Apple.

Why is this first?

Getting an iOS Developer Account account can be a time consuming process requiring corporate verification, submission of documentation and Apple review and approval. This process, while not terribly complicated, can take up to three weeks so, in order to expedite the setup process, we require that you begin your iOS Developer Account setup before moving on to step two.

Can I work on step 2 before getting my account approval?

Yes, in fact, we recommend that you proceed to step 2 as soon as you have submitted your account application to Apple.

How does the account approval process work?

The processing of your App Store account application can be a rather long process. When you apply to Apple they will ask you for very specific information about your company. It is important that info you provide is completely accurate. This will save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. There are several steps in the application process. Once you have finished the initial online form you will be instructed to wait while Apple reviews your application. Apple will then request documents from your provided contact people. After which you will again be instructed to wait. If all goes well you will eventually receive an email directing you to a link where you can finally complete your account setup and purchase your membership in App Store. This marks the completion of the account setup process; at this point your account is nearly ready to host your new iOS mobile app.

Step 2: Setup your App with Avinode

In the second stage of setup we will need you to provide us with information in order to set up your app. As previously mentioned, this information falls into three distinct categories, technical information, design specifications, and written documentation.

What are the required design specifications?

In order to personalize your app we will need you to provide your logo, specified app color, a landing page image, and an icon for both the App Store and the iPhone. Detailed information about these graphical elements can be found in section 2.1 of this manual.

What written documentation is required?

At the time of submission App Store requires that you include your app’s name, a description of the application, keywords, copyright information, contact information, a support URL, and your developer name. This cannot be edited once it has been submitted so it is important that you submit this information exactly as you wish to see it displayed. Specific information about this documentation can be found in section 2.2 of this manual.

What technical information does Avinode need?

In addition, to adding your Avinode contact as a team member on your App Store account and as a user in App Store Connect, you will also need to provide Avinode with some technical documentation including your iOS distribution certificate, and your App Store distribution provisioning profile. Step-by-step instructions for how to obtain these documents is provided in section 2.3.

Step 3: What happens next?

Once you have finalized your App Store setup and submitted the required information to Avinode you can sit back and relax. Your Avinode contact will continue the process of setting up and submitting your app to App Store. The setup, submission and approval process can take up to five weeks, based on app approval time estimates from App Store.

1. Setup iOS Developer Account

The first step in the process of getting your new iPhone application ready for its public debut is to sign up for an App Store account. Important! You need to enrolling as an organisation. This is a straight forward process and you can follow the steps in this process provided by Apple. If you already have an iOS Developer account you can continue to the next part of this manual.

Start here:
https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll

2. Setting up your app with Avinode

If you have reached the midway point in your App Store Account Application process then you are now ready to complete sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this chapter. Once you have completed your App Store enrollment as described in the section Setup iOS Developer Account then you can proceed to section 2.3 Technical Requirements.

2.1 App Specifications

In order to customize your iPhone App we will need the following design elements from you.

2.1.1 Tint Color

Please provide a RGB color that you wish to use for your app. The tint color will affect buttons, titles, link color and highlighted colors.

2.1.2 Branding

Please provide a logo for placement in Search view and About us page. When considering your logo choice please keep in mind that this will be placed on a white background.
The logo should be in the PNG image format and have a transparent background. Following sizes are required:

2.1.3 Icons

We will need you to provide your app icon in three sizes to fit the current Apple formatting scheme. The icons should be in PNG image format, flattened with no transparency. Square with no rounded corners. Following sizes are required:

2.1.4 Default Currency Preference

Please indicate which currency you would like to appear as the default setting in your app. Supported currencies:

2.1.5 Supported language

Please indicate which languages you would like to support. The language is automatically detected by the system. If the application detect a language which you do not support, your application will fall back on the English language.
Supported languages: English (default) German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, Italian, Dutch.

2.1.6 Terms and Conditions

Please provide a self hosted link to your Terms and Conditions.

2.1.7 Safety Text Preference

Please indicate whether or not you would like to include a brief description of aviation safety procedures and how safety auditing works, along with information about what this means for the end user. This text is provided by Avinode.

2.1.8 Include categories

Please indicate whether or not you would like to include an option which will let your users choose from your custom categories in search form.

2.1.9 Include Empty legs

Please indicate whether or not your would like to include an option which will let your users search empty legs.

2.1.10 Company Description

Please indicate whether or not you would like to have a description of your company in the app. If so, please provide us with the text you want to present. You will also need to translate this text to the different languages you support (see 2.1.5).

2.1.11 Privacy Policy

If you want your privacy policy accepted before user sends request, please provide a self hosted link to your Privacy Policy.

2.2 Written documentation

This section will describe the various written components we need from you for use in App Store.

2.2.1 Company/Developer Name

This name will be displayed in App Store for this app and all future apps you develop and post with this account.

2.2.2 App name on App store

Please indicate the name you wish your app to have in App Store.

2.2.3 App name on iOS Device

Due to space limitations within the iPhone interface, if your app name exceeds 13 characters then you will need to provide an alternate to the app name from 2.2.2 to be used in the iPhone

2.2.4 Description

We will need a description of the app to be shown in App Store. Keep in mind that this text should have a light sales tone, but still detail the features and functionality of your app. Please see the attached example below:

📘

Example:

[App Name] by [Company Name]

Description
Empty Legs anytime, anywhere at the tap of your fingers. [App Name] for iPhone makes it possible for you to search, view and request empty legs from wherever
you are, whenever you want. Keen to try private charter, but not sure about the price? Empty Legs can provide you with a cost effective alternative to traditional air charter. Because they are pre-scheduled, unoccupied flights, Empty Legs can be booked for a greatly reduced rate, giving you the opportunity to fly to your destination in comfort and style.

Features:

• GPS based search
• Favorite airports function
• Tailored Empty Leg Highlights scroll
• Real-time availability data
• Map view
• Send requests from the App
• View aircraft images

2.2.5 Price

If you wish to charge users to download your app you will need to stipulate a price. Note! Keep in mind that you will need to upgrade your App Store account to an “iOS Paid Applications Account” in order to charge for your app.

2.2.6 Keywords

You will need to provide a list of keywords for your app. When choosing your keywords please keep in mind that they will be used for searches within App Store, so they should be as accurate and succinct as possible. Note! Please separate the keywords with commas. Keywords cannot exceed 100 characters, including commas.

2.2.7 Copyright

Copyright information should include the name of the person or entity that owns the exclusive rights to the app, along with the year the rights were obtained. e.g. Company Name 2014

2.2.8 Contact Information for App Store

Contact information should be comprised of those emails that app users can use to contact your company through App Store regarding the app. Note! This may differ from the contact information shown within the app

2.2.9 Support URL

You will need to provide us with a URL address to a webpage where app users can go to receive support for their app. This will be visible to all App Store users. e.g. your company’s webpage, or the “about us” page of your company website.

2.3 Technical Requirements

The following section describes the technical adjustments that you must make to your App Store account and the technical documentation you must submit to Avinode in order for us to be able to submit the app to App Store. Note! Begin this section once your iOS Developer Account has been approved.

2.3.1 Inviting Avinode to join your App Store Connect team

After inviting Avinode to join your team you will also need to add us as a user in App Store Connect at https://itunesconnect.apple.com
Note! We should have already provided you with the contact information needed to complete this step. If you have not received these contact details please email your sales representative to request this information.

Step 1
Sign in to App Store Connect with your iOS Developer Account at https://itunesconnect.apple.com

Step 2
Navigate to Users and Roles

Step 3
Under the section App Store Connect Users , press the “+” button to add a new user.

Step 4
Enter user information as follows:

First name: Avinode
Last name: Developer
Email address: [email protected]

Click Next in the top right corner.

Step 5
You should now find yourself on a page asking you to Select Roles. Tick the boxes marked Admin, and add additional Access to certificates, identifiers & profiles and then press the _Next _button. On the next page (Notification) just press _Save _in the top right corner.

What happens next?

Congratulations, you have completed the transfer of technical information to Avinode!
We will now complete the setup of your Mobile Application and submit it to the App Store for review and approval. Please note the Apple review process can take between one and five weeks. You will be able to follow this from your App Store account. We will notify you as soon as your app has been approved.

Marketing your new iPhone app

With your iPhone app approved and listed in App Store it is now time to begin your marketing roll-out. The following text will give you some ideas for how you can spread the word about your new app.

Use your current communication channels

Your business is likely already using a number of different communication channels to get messages out to your clients, i.e. your company’s website, email signatures, Twitter, Facebook and blogs. These are also an effective way to spread the word about your new app.Think about putting a link to your app’s page on App Store in your email signatures, or on the main page of your company’s website. Use social media, like Twitter, Facebook and your company’s blog(s), to advertise or discuss your new app. Keep this information refreshed and current, and update as you feel it is necessary.

Direct distribution

Distribute your app directly to clients. This is the easiest way to get downloads right away and begin the word-of-mouth advertising on your app.

Demo your app

Carry your app with you wherever you go. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to show your app to clients, potential clients, or other interested parties, so one of the simplest things you can do is to always carry your app with you. This is a very direct and simple form of marketing that allows you to show potential users the app while at the same time giving them a verbal overview of all its best features. This plants the seeds for instant word-of-mouth advertising in which your app begins to market itself through your clients.

Handouts & promotions

Think about using giveaways and gifts as a way of promoting your new app. Giving away an iPhone or iPod touch loaded with your app, for example, is a great way of promoting your app to clients, or potential clients. Giveaways can take the form of direct gifts to clients, drawings, or lotteries among other things.