HTML5 is expected to enable developers to achieve multi-purpose web application development and solve many issues facing mobile development. The real advantage of this is in the consumer space with features of social media and videos. But, as for the business application space, HTML 5 is yet to mature.

Data Complexity, Security Requirements & Workflow characteristics are 3 major factors which vary significantly between a mobile application targeted at consumer and the one in enterprise. With all the hype around HTML5, we should not assume that the standard is fully supported by mobile browsers. Though HTML5 features exist in all major browsers, the feature of robust local storage is of major concern. The local storage feature restricted within the enterprise is the most important for an enterprise application. The vulnerabilities of HTML like phishing and malware still apply to HTML5 based mobile applications. With sensitive corporate data like sales, customer & financial data on the device and the standard allowing large pieces of information on the browser, the threat it poses to the enterprise users is much larger than at the consumer level.

Having enterprise applications on mobile using HTML5 requires stringent policies in place to ensure data security. Till the time HTML5 matures as a standard completely for enterprise mobility, native applications will play a significant role. On maturing, a combination of native apps and HTML5 will drive the enterprise mobility space.

Forrester predicts there will be around 1 billion smartphone/tablet users by 2016 and of this 20 million will use it for official purposes. This will increase the pressure on the IT department in managing the mobile devices in the enterprise.

So how can your IT team ensure the mobile devices are managed and secured along with its data?

The answer is to formulate a Mobile Device Management (MDM) strategy. This strategy will be the key component to provision, manage, monitor and secure the mobile devices on the enterprise network. Keep the following elements in mind while formulating a MDM strategy for your enterprise.

• Mobile asset inventory: The inventory should contain the list of the devices managed in the enterprise (the device ID, hardware model, OS version), how they are classified (who is given which device with its configuration details) and related assets like adapters and external memory.
• Software Distribution: It is not enough if the device is tracked & configured physically, the software used in the device should also be tracked & configured. Typical activities include configuration of the type of applications the device will use; whether the software will be pulled by or pushed to the device; application maintenance like updates/patches should also be considered.
• Security Management: Security of the device and the data is very critical for the enterprise as the data could be sensitive and vulnerable. User authentication, Password policy enforcement, Remote configuration management, data encryption and tracking, Backup and synchronization ensure that the device and the data are protected.

Long term Evolution (LTE)

The fourth generation mobile phones and tablets have capabilities of 3G, GSM and VoIP (Voice Over IP). This VoIP capability will help companies to slash their phone charges to a great extent. Business applications on such mobile devices will ensure that the application can be run simultaneously while speaking to a client/peer.

Smartphone applications

Third-party software vendors will increasingly make enterprise applications available for smartphones, including inventory management, electronic medical records management, warehousing, distribution and even architectural and building inspection data.

Security

As different types of mobile devices are introduced, corporate IT departments will find it increasingly challenging to identify and authenticate individual end users. As such, expect to see a combination of improvements in both Virtual Private Network (VPN) software and hardware-based VPNs to support multiple device types.

2010 and 2011 saw tremendous growth in the demand for mobile devices and applications. So what is it for 2012?

Business Applications

Enterprises and its employees are increasingly becoming dependent on their mobile devices to save time and multitask. With mobility penetrating all departments of an organization, app development for business’ is going to expand further and grow in 2012. Wise choice of the platform and specific business app is going to drive the growth for application developers.

Cloud and Mobility

Cloud computing can make a significant difference for mobile users as their devices offer continually improving functionality. The partnership between very powerful mobile devices and even-more-powerful cloud platforms creates the sort of opportunity that stretches the mind for application developers, and introduces new opportunities for applications that didn’t even occur to people in the desktop PC world.

Mobile Payment Apps

Payment preferences of the consumers are shifting from just online to mobile payments. Mobile Wallet services are likely to replace credit/debit cards and net banking. Organizations other than financial institutions will also invest in custom made payment applications.

Location Based Apps

The traction to develop location based applications is on the raise with all the mobile devices being able to support GPS. This is beneficial for mobile advertisers, mobile markets to offer targeted, location based content for its consumers.

End Consumers: An end consumer expects personalized service, minimal learning, good level of security and privacy of the data shared, interoperability between various networks, devices and the financial institutions, minimal cost of usage.

Merchant: Merchants expect quick transaction time of the application, minimal cost in using the solution/application, easy integration into the existing system, high level of security, certain degree of customization, real time status of the payment.

Financial Institutions: Expectations include network operator independent solution, application as per designed by the bank, exceptional branding opportunities for the institutions, ability to handle volumes of transactions and ensure customer loyalty.