JBSA Mobile App goes live

by Marilyn C. Holliday
Chief, JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs

11/29/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The need to communicate with 80,000 employees at three geographically separated locations in San Antonio is a challenge, and the launching of the Joint Base San Antonio mobile app will provide basic information about the primary locations at the users' fingertips.

The mobile app, called "JBSA," is available for download today through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

"Our original intent was to create a mobile app that newcomers would use," said Dan J. Solis, JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs photo imaging chief and team lead for the app project. "By the time we reached completion, the team had created a tool that students, employees and family members can use daily."

The "native" JBSA mobile app, which translates to mean an app created for a certain mobile device not one that is web-based, includes information about services and support facilities at each location with hours of operation and phone numbers and even amenities particular to the locale.

"Regardless of service affiliation, this app should prove valuable for all of JBSA's members," said Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter, JBSA and 502nd Air Base Wing commander. "No matter where you live or work across San Antonio, you'll find information you can use whether you're scheduled to relocate here or if you're a long time resident."

Prominently featured on the new site is a feedback section, which allows visitors to make suggestions, ensuring the app remains relevant, valuable and a highly-used information source.

As part of the vetting process, more than 100 Army, Navy and Air Force members, government service employees and family members across all three primary JBSA locations were given the opportunity to provide feedback.

"We tried to keep 'one stop shopping' in mind with the app," Solis said. "With updates, we expect to be able to increase bells and whistles for the app. For now, our main focus was to consolidate information that realistically is available at the press of a couple of buttons."

The PA team most recently consolidated websites from JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Lackland and Randolph to create the JBSA website at www.jbsa.af.mil. The majority of the website information is now a part of the mobile app.

Joint Base San Antonio is the largest of the 12 joint bases created under the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005. JBSA includes three primary locations at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph, plus eight other operating locations and more than 200 mission partners.