Mobile app availability

Mobile applications have a release lifecycle. This article provides information on available distribution channels and recommendations for distributing applications on managed devices.

Recommended distribution method

We recommend using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to distribute the fulfillmenttools applications to devices. This practice provides complete over the app distribution process. An MDM solution enables controlled rollouts, internal testing of releases, immediate distribution of critical updates, and rollbacks, which helps ensure an uninterrupted operations process. To provide the fulfillmenttools applications to an MDM, it's recommended to use the Artifact Registry or the REST API.

Alpha channel

The Alpha channel is the internal channel for testing new mobile application releases. It's intended for internal fulfillmenttools use only, and employing this version in a production environment is not recommended.

Beta channel

Before applications are released for general availability (GA), they can be accessed from the Beta channel. This channel is accessible to external users and helps identify potential issues early, prepare personnel for application changes, and become familiar with new features before a full rollout. It's recommended to participate in the Beta channel with a small portion of the total device fleet.

Beta channel access

• Google Play Store: Contact fulfillmenttools support to enroll in the Beta program. Once added, the Beta version of the application can be accessed directly in the Google Play Store to receive automatic Beta updates.

• Google Artifact Registry: Current Beta releases can be accessed directly from the repository. Beta releases are named accordingly and can be downloaded from the repository when a Beta version is available.

Distribution channels

fulfillmenttools offers three different distribution channels to access its applications.

Google Artifact Registry

The Android application packages can be accessed via the fulfillmenttools Google Artifact Registry. The Artifact Registry can be used to directly or automatically download available application packages. The registry contains the latest Alpha, Beta, and GA versions of the applications, as well as previous versions. The Artifact Registry for each application can be accessed via the following links:

• Operations app

• Inventory app

• Returns app

Google Play Store

Using the Google Play Store for distribution is discouraged because features such as controlled rollouts or rollbacks are not possible.

The Play Store offers a convenient method to distribute fulfillmenttools applications. The applications are available at these locations:

• Operations app

• Inventory app

• Returns app

Notes and limitations when using the Play Store:

• Most devices have access to the Play Store, making it straightforward to complete setup and begin using the applications.

• When switching installation channels (from the Play Store to another method or vice versa), the application must be reinstalled and reconfigured.

• Updates distributed via the Play Store can take several days, or in rare cases, more than a week, due to the store's review process — which can be problematic for urgent updates.

• Rolling back an application version via the Play Store is not possible, and gradual rollouts are limited.

REST API

We offer a REST API to download our app packages directly. However, this API is currently being reworked and is, therefore, not available at the moment. We will provide an update here as soon as it is available. Should you require access to the REST API, contact us using the contact form.