The power of digital in a world governed by the Internet of Things (IoT) cannot be underscored enough. With digital transformation almost becoming the new normal, enterprises are looking at ways to streamline processes and overcome all forms of technical glitches. Heritage business applications such as CRM and ERP have to constantly evolve to be able to keep pace with the mobile revolution.
This means that mobile technology is catalyzing the process of digitization by helping bridge gaps and by setting the ground for the much needed shift toward digital disruption. Mobile applications are changing the way enterprises function and interact amongst themselves and with customers. This leaves enterprises with the need to extend business applications across a mobile platform for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer. Enterprises use a development suite called the Mobile Enterprise Application Platform (MEAP) to develop their own mobile apps.
An all-encompassing comprehensive approach to the development and delivery of mobile applications, MEAP functions as a middleware that connects back-end data sources such as enterprise applications and databases to mobiles devices.
The ubiquitous use of smartphones and tablets has changed the demand supply dynamics so much so that enterprises are constantly seeking solutions that can thrive in the modern economy. MEAP seeks to address these needs and offer three fundamental functionalities. They include the ability to:
- integrate into diverse IT applications
- be compatible with any mobile OS
- work on an offline mode besides syncing data without mobile internet as a backup option
Why MEAP?
From eliminating huge technical barriers to allowing developers to impede the need to rewrite code over and over again for deploying it across multiple devices, there are extensive benefits of using MEAP. If leveraged cleverly, MEAP can empower enterprises with its robust and scalable features.
Let us look at how MEAP facilitates development of seamless mobile applications.
Multiple feature integration
MEAP promises a completely integrated development environment with its ability to leverage device features seamlessly with external devices. It seeks to provide support for design, development, testing and deployment of mobile apps. Peripherals such as credit card readers, printers and barcode scanners can be seamlessly integrated with mobile applications. With its mobile application management capabilities, MEAP provides adequate support for access control to mobile applications in business settings. These features range from user authentication to application usage analytics. Therefore, MEAP serves to provide a one point solution across a wide range of mobile devices.
Highly scalable architecture
MEAP supports dynamic increase in the number of devices, apps and users. Owing to its open and flexible architecture, the development suite enables easy integration with emerging technologies. By providing flexibility in expanding mobility, MEAP promises a seamless user experience.
Improved security
Data security has never been more relevant than it is today. Since the platform comes with great flexibility, there is always the question of security that needs to be addressed. Taking this into consideration, MEAP enforces checks of unauthorized access and thereby help in data security, in the event of loss or theft of device. Additionally, it seeks to provide for constant monitoring in the mobile environment through generation of detailed reports on usage, devices and apps. Considering that data resides in a centralized server with MEAP, it can be controlled from a single location.
Seamless offline availability
In an MEAP environment, mobile apps can work independently through a central server connection, thus allowing users to carry out work offline as well. This resolves the issues of connectivity, all along helping an enterprise to adopt mobility in a secure and efficient way. Not just that, equipped with a robust middleware that supports strong connectivity between back-end infrastructure and mobile devices, MEAP ensures smooth flow of data to identified devices.
Cost-efficient
MEAP employs multi-platform systems, which reduces development costs. It uses connectors to reduce integration costs. Besides, operational costs are significantly cut down owing to the use of a centrally administered server. In this manner, MEAP seeks to enhance mobility by proving a cost-effective business solution in a vastly fragmented market.
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