Aspen Mobile FAQ

Aspen Mobile FAQ


Aspen Mobile is a Progressive Web App. It was built to be installed directly to your device or downloaded as an app, and feature push notifications. Aspen Mobile was designed to provide Aspen Discovery users with a stable, responsive version of the desktop functionality within Aspen. 

Currently there are many features within Aspen that are not present in LiDA. The development of a progressive web application provides an option that would allow for shorter update times with most changes happening directly within the discovery interface instead of in an separate app. The result is a more feature rich, easier to support solution for libraries requiring a mobile App. 

General Questions 

When will Aspen Mobile be available? 

Aspen Mobile will be released in the 26.05 Aspen Discovery release. DIS-1404 Progressive Web Application for Aspen Discovery introduces the Progressive web version. 
  1. Added Progressive Web App option called Aspen Progressive Web App (PWA) (DIS-1404) (IT)
  2. Added Permissions for managing Aspen Progressive Web App(PWA) (DIS-1404) (IT)
  3. Added Service Worker to handle Notifications from within application for Aspen Progressive Web App(PWA) (DIS-1404) (IT)
  4. Added Notification Preferences page to MyAccount for handling user level opting in to notifications for Aspen Progressive Web App(PWA) (DIS-1404) (IT)
  5. Updated Notification Systems to be able to handle multiple potential systems being targeted for sending of notifications (DIS-1404) (IT) 

What is a progressive Web App?

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a website that looks and functions like a native mobile or desktop app. It is built with standard web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), that can be installed on your device, work offline, and send push notifications. 

What is the difference between Aspen LiDA and Aspen Mobile? 

Aspen LiDA is a native mobile app companion for Aspen Discovery, including only certain features found in Aspen. It is available in both the Apple iOS and Google Play stores for download as a community app. In addition libraries can also create a branded version of Aspen LiDA specifying their library.

Aspen Mobile was built to be a browser-installed mobile web app. Users can save the progressive web app right from their phone's browser for easy access which includes all features available in Aspen Discovery. Alternatively, libraries can put Aspen Mobile in the Apple iOS and Google Play stores for download with your library specific name and branding. 

Will ByWater Solutions Support both Aspen LiDA and Aspen Mobile? 

Yes, ByWater Solutions will support current partners using Aspen LiDA and partners who choose to switch to or implement Aspen Mobile.

Is Aspen Mobile something that we pay for or is it just included with Aspen generally?

Yes, you can turn Aspen Mobile on in Administration in Aspen Discovery. This will allow users to view it on their mobile device and save it through their browser as an app. It will not be visible in the app store. 

Can we brand Aspen Mobile and have it available to be downloaded from an app store.

If you want you to be able to download the app from the app store with your library name and branding, ByWater Solutions will be able to provide a quote for setup and maintenance of the app. 

Can we search without logging in? 

Yes, with Aspen Mobile you can search without logging into the app 

Is there barcode scanning available from Aspen Mobile?

Not available in 26.05, but this feature is in development and part of our future roadmap

Can someone from ByWater help guide me through this process?

Of course! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any additional questions or concerns via a ticket. 


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