How to build a mobile app for ProShop ERP
Short answer
ProShop is a browser-based ERP, so first test what its responsive screens and shop floor views do on tablets and phones. Where those fall short, build a focused app over the ProShop API for scanning, labor reporting, receiving and approvals, accepting that offline use is limited.
ProShop is designed for shops that want the floor on the same system as the office, so tablets at machines and kiosks near inspection are normal. That is a strength: much of what other ERPs need a separate mobile app for, ProShop users do in the browser.
The gaps tend to be specific: camera-based barcode scanning for receiving, a one-thumb screen for an operator who only needs to clock on and off, approvals while traveling, or a role-limited view for a delivery driver. A small custom app aimed at one of those jobs usually beats a general rebuild.
What teams use it for
Scan to receive
Receiving scans a PO barcode or QR, confirms quantities line by line and photographs the cert and packing slip into the receiving record.
Operator clock-on
A stripped-down screen lets the operator pick a work order and operation, start and stop, and report quantity and scrap.
Inspection capture
Inspectors record measurements and pass or fail on a tablet at the CMM or bench and attach images to the work order.
Manager approvals on the go
Purchase approvals, quote approvals and time corrections appear in a short queue with approve and reject actions.
Delivery and pickup confirmation
A driver scans a shipment, captures a signature and photo, and the proof of delivery is attached to the customer PO.
ProShop ERP integration surface
- ProShop's own interface is browser-based; evaluate its responsive layout and any shop floor or kiosk views on your devices before building anything.
- The ProShop API (GraphQL in current releases) is the way to read work orders, POs, parts and routings and to submit time, quantities, notes and attachments, subject to your plan and permissions.
- Barcodes and QR codes on travelers, parts and POs carry the identifiers your app resolves; confirm which formats ProShop prints in your version.
- Authentication is ProShop user credentials or tokens; check whether single sign-on is available so the app does not store passwords.
- Because ProShop is vendor-hosted, any mobile client needs an internet or VPN path; there is no local database to sync with.
How it works
- 1
Test the browser first
Put real operators on iPads or Android tablets using ProShop as is for a week. Write down the five taps or screens that actually annoy people.
- 2
Choose the shell
A progressive web app is usually enough for scanning and forms. Use React Native or Flutter only if you need deeper device features or app store distribution via MDM.
- 3
Put a thin backend in front of the API
Keep ProShop credentials on a server, expose a few task-shaped endpoints to the app and enforce per-user permissions there.
- 4
Design for gloves and noise
Large targets, scan-first inputs, minimal typing and clear success feedback. One screen per job beats a general menu.
- 5
Handle poor connectivity honestly
Queue short actions such as scans and clock events locally and replay them, but do not promise full offline ERP. Show clearly what is pending.
- 6
Roll out by role
Start with receiving or one cell, measure error rates and time saved, then expand to inspection and approvals.
Example flows
Receiving with camera scan
Trigger: A truck arrives with material for a PO.
- The receiver scans the PO barcode in the app.
- Lines load from ProShop with expected quantities.
- They confirm counts and photograph the packing slip and cert.
- The app posts the receipt and attachments through the backend.
Result: Receipts are entered at the dock, not later at a desk.
Operator reports a lot complete
Trigger: An operator finishes the last piece of an operation.
- They scan the traveler QR.
- The app shows the operation and prompts for good and scrap counts.
- The entry is submitted and the next operation is shown.
Result: Quantities and time reach ProShop within seconds of completion.
Keeping data on-prem
The ProShop service is hosted by the vendor, so what you control is the app, its backend and the network path to it. Host the backend on your own servers or private cloud, distribute the app through your MDM, and restrict it to shop Wi-Fi or a VPN. If you add an AI helper in the app, such as asking which job is next on this machine, serve an open-weight model locally and let it call only read endpoints on your backend. Photos and signatures can be stored on your own file server with a reference recorded in ProShop, which helps when images show controlled parts.
Security checklist
- Keep ProShop credentials on the backend, not in the mobile app, and use short-lived tokens for the app session.
- Enforce device management, screen locks and remote wipe on shop tablets and phones.
- Limit each role to the screens and actions it needs, and log all writes with user and device.
- Be careful with camera use around controlled parts; apply the same photo policy you apply to personal phones.
Ways to get it done
Use ProShop in the browser on rugged tablets and kiosks
Effort: Days for devices, mounts and Wi-Fi.
Often enough for operators and inspectors; the cheapest and most supported path.
Build a role-specific PWA or native app over the API
Effort: Four to ten weeks per role-focused app.
Good for scanning at receiving, simplified clock-on and approvals.
Partner build with Netray
Effort: Pilot on one role in a few weeks.
Relevant when the app should include AI features such as voice notes to structured entries, run privately.
Pitfalls
- !Rebuilding the whole ERP on a phone instead of solving two or three specific tasks.
- !Storing ProShop user passwords on the device.
- !Assuming Wi-Fi coverage on the whole floor and discovering dead spots after launch.
- !Ignoring barcode print quality, which makes scan-first flows unreliable.
- !Letting operators edit data they should only view.
Frequently asked questions
Does ProShop have a mobile app?
ProShop is browser-based and is commonly used on tablets and phones through the browser. Whether a dedicated native app exists for your version is a question for ProShop. Test the browser experience on your devices before deciding to build anything.
Can a custom app work offline?
Only in a limited way. Because ProShop is hosted, you can queue scans and clock events on the device and replay them when the connection returns, but you cannot run the full ERP offline. Design for short outages, not for days without network.
What should we build first?
Pick the task with the most repeated manual entry and the clearest error cost, usually receiving with scanning or operator clock-on. A single-purpose screen that saves minutes per shift proves value quickly and avoids a large project.
How do approvals work on mobile?
The app lists pending items from ProShop, shows enough detail to decide, and sends approve or reject through the backend, which checks the user's approval authority. The decision and the approver are written back to the record.
Can voice or AI help on the shop floor?
Yes, carefully. Voice notes can be transcribed and turned into a structured NCR or maintenance note for the user to confirm. Use a locally hosted model if the content describes controlled parts, and never auto-submit without confirmation.
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