Mobile application development platform (MADP), also known as “mobile enterprise application platform,” refers to the all-inclusive group of both services and products that allow mobile applications to be developed. With a wide variety of mobile devices, user groups, and networks, the development of mobile software can be extremely difficult. However, MADPs handle this problem because they are able to manage all of these different devices both when they are deployed and during the entire lifecycle of the mobile solution. MADPs are beneficial because their approach is both inclusive and long-term, which is a major improvement from standalone mobile apps.

In practice, using an MADP means that a company can develop any given mobile app one time and then deploy the app to many different mobile devices, which includes tablets, ruggedized handheld devices, smartphones, and notebooks. The MADP will ensure that the app is compatible with each device that it is sent to without changing the way that the app functions. It is suggested that a company utilize an MADP if their needs meet the “Rule of Three,” which refers to a need for mobile solutions that either work together with three or more back-end sources of data, are compatible with three or more mobile apps, or work with three or more operating systems.

Typically, MADPs consist of both a mobile client application and a mobile middleware server. The middleware server does not store data, but it manages data through security, system integration, scalability, communications, cross-platform support, and more. The client applications then connect to the server and are the driving force behind both business logic and user interface on any given mobile device.

Multi-channel development refers to the ability to use a single development platform to support many different operating systems and methods of deployment.

Support for Multi-Channel IS MULTI-CHANNEL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTED? Why supporting all channels is important: Multi-channel coverage is pivotal for organizations approaching mobility with the diversity of devices their users have in mind. With true multi-channel support, a developer can write once and deploy across mobile devices, tablets, wearables and desktop. Consequently, this centralized approach and connectedness results in efficiencies for the organization’s mobile development team and consistency of experience across all channels for their users. Why supporting all output modes is important: Users have different devices and different preferences for accessing their apps. Whether or not to create native or HTML5 or hybrid apps depends on the purpose of that app, e.g. for enterprise apps Native is a more suitable mode due to large off-line storage and higher security capabilities, while for some consumer-facing e-commerce apps, hybrid apps may make more sense.

Cross-platform mobile development refers to the development of mobile apps that can be used on multiple mobile platforms.

Enterprise mobile management (EMM) refers to the technology, processes, and people that focus on the management of a wide range of mobile devices as well as wireless networks and all other services that allow mobile computing to exist as a facet of the business world.

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