The delivery of a mobile application is like a Gordian knot, with every delivery having its own set of drawbacks such as cost, connectivity and user experience. Depending upon the environment and the user’s needs determines how the mobile application is delivered.
The need to deliver mobile applications comes to the fore when you’ve decided to support them.A mix of the cloud, the web, an enterprise app store, virtualization and device app stores could be used.
How can applications to mobile devices be delivered?
There are various app delivery options available to meet mobile delivery needs. Web apps can be used which give an advantage over native apps in device cynic and app functionality. In the same way Enterprise app stores give IT control over data governance, are purchasable in volume and licensing and are a better option as compared to homegrown app stores that are tricky to implement.
Desktop virtualization, available for mobile apps, allows delivery of a PC-like environment to a smartphone or tablet. In this approach sensitive information is the data center which can be controlled by IT but isn’t very pleasant to use.
Cloud is another option that could be used but poses to be much more expensive as an existing g service such as Dropbox, or a cloud storage service needs to be paid for.
How can the cloud be used to deliver applications?
The cloud can deliver mobile apps in 3 ways either through building an internal cloud, using an external one or both.
Applications delivered in the external cloud are posted to that cloud server which could pose a disadvantage but could work if the app can be public.
Alternatively, building your own cloud can keep apps private by posting them on a secure web server which is accessible to employees to download the apps wirelessly.
How can application virtualization be used to deliver applications?
Mobile app virtualization is faster than rebuilding existing apps for a mobile environment. Accessing virtual applications on a mobile device doesn’t give a great user experience.
Delivering virtual applications to mobile devices is cost effective to organizations that have already virtualized other apps.
It is advisable that employees use the mobile versions of applications from device app stores and virtualize the apps that they can’t get their hands on.
What are the potential challenges while utilizing mobile apps?
Internet connectivity poses one of the biggest challenges because it largely depends on the delivery method. Certain apps require internet connection to access the data.
Cost factors also play a role in deploying mobile applications. Funding deployment can be done through an enterprise store, self-service portal or the cloud along with that application development and lifecycle management needs to be paid for.
How can Kilowott’s BXT framework enable the rapid roll-out of mobile application delivery?
The Business Experience Transformation (BXT) model innovation challenges the status quo – reimagining current functions and processes to transform for the present and for the future.
Articulating the aspirations and expectations of the organization for its engagement with the digital world and of putting the customer at the heart of everything it does.
Customers’ needs and expectations are the overriding consideration in deciding what services to provide, how and through what channels.
Empowering the staff to think and act digitally, to be innovative and to seek ways to transform business processes and services for more engaging customer experiences.
Provides the criteria by which to prioritize digital initiatives so resources and energies are directed and planned appropriately.
The model is intended as a tool to define current and target states of maturity; however, it is not prescriptive as to suggest a best way to achieve the target state. It provides guidance on the development of BXT.
The level to which an organization needs to be mature in each area/dimension is dependent on your own business strategy (focus of the business), business model ( business configuration/design to realize the business strategy), and operating model (capabilities to be executed against the business strategy and model).
The model can be validated at different stages, by assessing what level “As is” against the desired, “To Be” in terms of the given maturity levels across the whole organization or individually across the dimensions/pillars which make up the Organization.
It not only addresses implementing better technologies, but also addresses aligning culture, people, structure throughout the organization. based on strategy, business model, and operating model.
To decide between adopting an evolutionary or a revolutionary approach, you should start with a thorough evaluation of your operations to determine the best path forward. The evaluation process should include assessing the following considerations:
- – Workload – Audit applications and software to determine their business value, criticality and where there are opportunities to modernize. Assess workloads holistically in context of the go-forward business direction.
- – Architecture – Review infrastructure elements, performance and ROI to assess where newer technologies can deliver better outcomes.
- – Financial – Evaluate spend to find budget burdens and ways to optimize resources to support current operations and prepare for what’s next.
- – Uncertainty – Weigh the potential for business interruption, as well as any related implications on business processes and organizational culture, against the goals of your legacy system modernization project. Consider the risks of preserving the legacy system in its current state, such as upkeep for out-of-support systems or those with limited support resources.
- – Execution – Determine whether new skill sets, training, and processes must be taken into account when calculating modernization costs and deadlines.
- – Planning – This is for system security before, during, and after modernization to avoid data loss, outages, and exposure. Organizations should confirm adherence to legislative and industry compliance regulations in the new environment in the security plan.
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