When creating mobile applications, developers can sometimes overlookone critical audience—the IT department. The same is true when planning tolaunch a mobile learning or performance support initiative. It is critical to considerIT department requirements when doing these things because IT is often the groupmanaging the lifecycle of the mobile devices in an enterprise.
Failing to take the IT department’s policy management needsinto consideration can cause the technology department to restrict certainapplications. There is an opportunity to work together during planning anddevelopment to provide control for IT and the desired learning or performancesupport experience for the end user. I’d like to offer you some tips on how tomake this happen.
The BYOD trend
You are most likely aware that there is an increasing trendof BYOD (bring your own device) environments in the workplace, so appdevelopers are able to spread a wide footprint on a variety of devices. Androidand iOS are consumer-centric devices, so obtaining an app is easy. Foremployees working in organizations that embrace BYOD, their devices and theapplications on them may not be IT approved. This can lead to an exposedenterprise-data native on the device, in the cloud, and behind the firewall. Developersshould consider IT’s need for security, such as utilizing the data protectionAPIs that prevent decryption from malware and also provide protection if thedevice becomes unlocked.
Tips
There are some key questions to ask. Can IT encryptcommunication to the application? Can the application operate within a secure-device-containerenvironment? Will the application prevent access by other applications seekingits data?
Developers also need to support mobile applicationmanagement. IT departments focus on creating mobile policies that benefit theemployee and protect the company and its data. Many polices restrict appsbecause they are not easy to manage, control, or secure. Developers shouldproactively adjust their apps to meet the wants and needs of IT. Again, one ofthe most important issues for IT is control, so make apps that are easy for ITto control. Here are some other important tips:
- Make sure your app can be optimized in a cloudenvironment.
- Use simple updates that are not confusing forthe end user.
- Have your app available over both W-iFi andcellular; include a cost-saving option of Wi-Fi only.
- Make sure IT can easily find your applicationsOS, memory, and other operational requirements.
- Allow your app to be deployed privately ratherthan through an app store.
- Does your application track location or usage?It may be illegal in some countries. Can IT disable and enable thisfunctionality easily?
- Does your application require a specifichardware certificate ensuring that a specific device is authorized to accessthe application and its data?
The bottom line
IT departments are also interested in the bottom line andare always looking for ways to reduce costs. When developers create apps thatare easy to manage, the cost is more manageable as well. Developers should becognizant of an application infrastructure and have the option to securelystore content natively on the mobile device or in an approved repository.Applications for training purposes need to consider how much data is transmittedduring typical mobile-based training sessions, so that IT departments are awareof the potential cost issues and can recommend lower-cost options.
In order for a BYOD environment to work, IT mustfeel confident about the mobile devices and applications accessing theirnetwork. Developers should focus on building apps that give IT control tomanage the applications on an employee’s device. Giving IT this power makesthem feel comfortable with your application and will be a win-win for IT, for you,and for your shared end-customers.
