Mobility future centered on app development

As companies move along with their enterprise mobility programs, many are learning that the software running on smartphones and tablets can set a workforce apart from the competition. The better the application an employee has at their disposal, the more they will be able to do with enterprise data while outside of the office.

Because of this, a recent report from the SD Times argued that app development holds the key to the future of enterprise mobility. As a result, more companies may want to take the time now to deploy mobile application management solutions to track and oversee the use of apps on employee devices.

"There is no doubt about it: The need for mobile apps in the enterprise is going to drive business application innovation by creating a more competitive application market, mirroring what has taken place in the consumer app market," contributor Vanessa Ho wrote for the SD Times.

She also referenced a recent survey of app developers that highlighted the fact that many are now choosing to focus on the enterprise sector. Of more than 200 respondents, Ho said, about 80 percent said they are either developing or planning to develop business-oriented applications.

And many are expecting to be profitable in the process, as 28 percent of developers said their mobile business should grow by more than 50 percent during the next three years. One-third of respondents are expecting growth of between 25 and 50 percent during the time, according to Ho.

Her report also pointed out that consumerization already plays a role in app development. More than 82 percent of respondents said they target Android-powered devices with their apps, while 78 percent said they prioritize Apple's iOS platform.

"The jury is still out, but Android’s openness could be the key driver for success in the enterprise," Ho wrote. "It can make it easier for developers to build and sell enterprise mobile apps."

The recently released Q4 Mobile Developer Report from Appcelerator and research firm IDC also demonstrated the increased priority with which companies now view mobile applications. Interviews with more than 2,100 developers showed that companies' second most important priority for mobility is building apps that are easy to use and engaging for employees. That only fell behind the need for organizations to expand the reach of mobility programs to incorporate more of the workforce.