Enterprise App Stores – Challenges And Features

By Author: Susan Smith
Total Articles: 132
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As per recent Gartner report, by 2017, a quarter of all enterprises will have their own app stores for the employees. The main reason for this is the rapid uptake of smart device tech by the employees and customers alike. The proliferation of mobile devices creates the requirement for applications, and with that, comes the need to securely distribute them. Increasingly, businesses are finding consumer mobile app stores inadequate for distribution of enterprise applications. These storefronts offer little in the way of security, vetting and control. Distribution-especially to large work forces-is cumbersome. The need solutions that can host smart app store functionalities with additional capabilities. Enter the enterprise app store (EAS).

Why EAS?

There are several reasons why businesses today invest in their own distribution mechanism for employees and customers. Some of them are obvious, while some not so much.

Access Control: Access to internal enterprise applications and data needs to be controlled and monitored. The design of the distribution mechanism should take into consideration ...
... the controls and user permissions to ensure that only authorized personnel can download and use an application. These controls are not available in the commercial stores therefore the EAS is required.

Device Control: As important it is to allow access based on user profiles, for enhanced security, it is equally important to give access to only known devices. The registration of devices ensures that only the authorized devices are allowed to use the EAS.

Version Control: Therefore, it is imperative that the corporate requirements, and therefore the products enabling them will change over time. The user must be provided notifications and access to app updates, upgrades, security patches and so on. Supporting OTA or over-the-air updates enables users to easily apply these updates on their devices, without having to spend unnecessary time and effort.

Gatekeeper to the public stores: The EAS can act as a mediator between the employee and the public store, and can ensure that all downloads are safe, and compliant with the company policy. Corporate discounts and volume licensing of commercial products can also be enforced through this mechanism.

Enhanced Employee Experience: Because the workforce knows where to turn when they need the access to the programs supporting their respective jobs, it makes the process of download and install simpler. Also, they are always sure that they will not be getting something that could harm their device, or is not compliant with the corporate policies.

Features of EAS

Cross Platform/ Browser Support - Since the device and OS types in the enterprise are generally disparate, it is important that the download options are compatible with the devices. Ideally, the app store should provide employees with the choice to download apps either directly via the enterprise app marketplace or via their mobile Web browser.

Security – Secure downloads, user permissions, compliance issues, secure connectivity etc are important features that the infosec departments push for in any distribution channel for employees. Other features like VPN, SSO and scanning for malware and viruses is also required.

Notifications – Notifications and updates may be required to be sent to the general workforce by the management sometimes, be it some company information, or technical stuff.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) – Management of remote devices transparently though a central console is a very important feature of the EAS. IT can troubleshoot, audit, and manage the mobile devices trough a single management console. They can even remotely wipe the device if required.

Centralized control – Since the enterprise marketplace has to be closely monitored and regulated, it is imperative that they be managed well. In order to reduce the management complexity, there should be a centralized management console for the same, where IT can upload, approve, or reject applications

The author is associated with a trusted mobile application development company with a strong iPhone developer Dallas team. It is also one of the best iPhone development companies in Noida