FEATURE Machine Safety
Next-generation smart workfl ow software keeps browser-based apps safe
Intoware’s Chief Technology Officer, Lee McDonald, explains how workfloplus ‘Web’ delivers unprecedented accessibility yet secure working for the frontline workforce to complete compliance and maintenance tasks
C ybercriminals are
constantly looking at new ways to exploit software vulnerabilities, which means
overcoming security concerns is a major challenge for Intoware. But when building and designing a new iteration of our popular work-instruction app Workfloplus, the first for web browsers, it required a shift in mindset. By their very nature, iOS and Android apps do a good job of keeping data secure. It was always the case that web apps are less secure, but not anymore. Browser developers understand the future of Progressive Web Apps (PWAS) and they are providing the same tooling and security offered by native applications. At Intoware, we take advantage of these new features in Workfloplus ‘Web’, as we only allow the very latest and strongest in cryptographic standards. This is not always possible when supporting older versions of Android, for example for native applications. With a PWAS you always know that the user is working with the latest version of the product. As we all know and dislike, we don’t like having to remember and being interrupted during work to do a software update. This is not the case with a web application. We know for certain that if we issue a security release or add new functionality, everyone is going to have it the next time they open Workfloplus ‘Web’.
HIPAA compliance
Some of the most stringent security and data protection practices come into play when dealing with health and medical data. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA compliance is there to challenge software providers to ensure patients’
32 April 2022 | Automation
medical data remains confidential and private at all times.
When conducting an internal audit, we found that Workfloplus ‘Web’ was completely compliant with this standard. It goes to show that a team with a strong security culture can achieve things that would have been impossible, just three years ago. Our team remains conscious of wider security goals, too; we don’t only rely on ourselves to spot issues. We complete regular penetration tests by Open Web Application Security Project, or OWASP certified experts. We also take advantage of great tools like Sonarcloud that scans our 1.5 million lines of code for potential quality and security flaws – if and when it detects a problem, the entire build process is halted and the engineering team alerted.
The benefits
This new iteration enables frontline workers to quickly and easily transform paper-based procedures into smart digital workflows that are accessible via a web browser, while opening up the app to operating systems such as Microsoft Windows for seamless
integrated working.
Having listened to customer feedback, we have found new ways for workers to create, access schedules and manage maintenance tasks using Workfloplus. While already available on Android and iOS, Workfloplus ‘Web’ gives accessibility via your web browser, so workers will be able to do everything they can do on their mobile or wearable device, now via a desktop or device browser. Workfloplus is also built with Open APIs so it can seamlessly connect with third-party systems such as ERP, PLM, CRM and asset management. As it’s unlikely that it will be the only digital tool within your business, since work being carried out may require information held in existing systems, which means they need to connect so data can flow. Workfloplus ‘Web’ simplifies this process integration further still, so data can be extracted and converted to complete tasks.
CONTACT:
Intoware
www.intoware.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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