The ‘App Space’ is where third-party or RedTie-created apps can be integrated into the RTT workflow, enabling both B2B and B2C clients of the printer to access a much wider array of products and applications through a single software system.

"The user experience is crucial to printers selling more of their products, and we feel that by using apps that do certain tasks really well, such as an app that can create calendars, we can make the RTT into a system that really can compete with the big W2P companies like Photobox but in a much more affordable way for the printer," explained Phillip Rodgers, technical manager of RedTie.

With the new system, printers can buy or build apps to expand or enhance their particular product offering and insert them into their existing W2P platform.  RedTie will build apps on request or accept third-party apps – though the latter will have to go through an approval process.  

The app operates within the RTT template but does not swap any secure data – the functionality of the app is simply used to add to or improve the customer experience. For example, a photobook app could be added that enables page-turning technology, meaning the user gets a better idea of the product they are buying.

"This new App Space means we are offering something unique and we are very interested to see what our customers do with the new functionality," said Jamie Thomson, RedTie managing director.

The development was announced at a RedTie open house event at its Northampton headquarters last week and will be rolled out fully in the next couple of months.