Enterprise app store adoption rises: Gartner
- 13 February, 2013 10:59
- Comments 1
One quarter of enterprises will have an enterprise app store by 2017, according to a Gartner report.
The statistic is worldwide but Gartner analyst Brian Prentice told Computerworld Australia he believes “Australia will track global averages”.
With employees increasingly wanting to bring consumer apps into the workplace, enterprises are creating app stores to take control of the software downloaded and installed on company hardware.
“Apps downloaded from public app stores for mobile devices disrupt IT security, application and procurement strategies," Gartner analyst Ian Finley said in a statement.
"Bring your own application (BYOA) has become as important as bring your own device (BYOD) in the development of a comprehensive mobile strategy, with the trend toward BYOA beginning to affect desktop and Web applications as well.”
"[Enterprise app stores represent] at least a partial solution, but only if IT security, application, procurement and sourcing professionals can work together to successfully apply the app store concept to their enterprises," Finley said.
“When successful, they can increase the value delivered by the application portfolio and reduce the associated risks, license fees and administration expenses."
Gartner predicted that the increasing number of mobile devices and rising use of mobile device management (MDM) software will drive adoption of enterprise app stores.
"Today, most MDM providers have a simple way of extending apps to mobile devices, usually through a basic agent on the device, but many are launching more-sophisticated app stores that can host enterprise and third-party apps to be accessed by smartphones, tablets and PCs,” said Gartner analyst Phillip Redman.
Gartner cautioned that an enterprise app store must provide a wide selection of apps to be successful. Users won’t use enterprise app stores if they provide little choice, it said.
Evernote, a consumer app commonly brought into the work place, this week released a business version in response to IT managers seeking greater control of the software used by employees.
Follow Adam Bender on Twitter: @WatchAdam
Follow CIO Australia on Twitter and Like us on Facebook… Twitter: @CIO_Australia, Facebook: CIO Australia, or take part in the CIO conversation on LinkedIn: CIO Australia
Recommended
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.
- Bookmark this page
- Share this article
- Got more on this story? Email CIO
- Follow CIO on twitter
-
Solving the skills conundrum – part 1
-
Australia suspected to have PRISM data: Ludlam
-
Australia Post’s mail business to lose $200 million this year
-
Australia Post’s mail business to lose $200 million this year
-
Microsoft's ambivalence about Office on the Web gives Apple shot with iWork on iCloud
-
The SPARC Difference - Reduce Risks, Cut Costs, Power Innovation
Despite current economic factors, IT investment continues to be fueled by the need for better and more agile IT capabilities to support an enterprise’s business strategy, as well as to keep up with the rapidly changing demands of the ‘always-on’ user. However, budgets are squeezed and executives are under pressure to reduce capital expenditure and streamline administrative costs. A key strategy is to consolidate and refresh existing IT infrastructures. In this whitepaper, compliments of Remora, find out what technology can add value and enable you to change the shape of your IT budget and, to transform IT into a force for change and innovation. -
Pathways Advanced ICT Leadership Development Program Course Outline and Big 6 2013
Developed by the CIO executive Council in conjunction with Rob Livingstone Advisory, Pathways Advanced is a 12-month CIO delivered, small group, mentor based professional leadership development program. Pathways Advanced brings together best practice, thought leadership and business insights for today’s most promising ICT professionals -
Governance For All - Empowering IT and Business Content Owners
Governance for all is more than an IT initiative or a goal written in a plan document; it’s a strategy that unites IT and business content owners to achieve their SharePoint goals. At its best, governance means empowering self-governance, with tools like delegated access, effective reporting, and automated policy enforcement. This white paper explains how to create a “governance for all” strategy that will enhance SharePoint adoption and its benefits to the organization. Read now.
Get exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis. 
Comments
Steve Schmidt
1
It’s not surprising to see Gartner’s prediction that a quarter of all enterprises will house their own ‘app store’ by 2017, but the prediction should raise red flags for IT professionals and executives about the preparedness of their enterprise for an in-house app store. Enterprise app stores deliver a number of advantages, but when you open up the floodgates it can be incredibly difficult to manage software licensing, control entitlement and track actual usage. App stores, like the iTunes App Store, have a consumer-like feel to them, but enterprise app stores need to be smarter than iTunes. If users are downloading at will – to simply play or try an app – that has an impact on enterprises licensing compliance. We’re walking a tightrope of enhanced user experience vs. licensing accountability, which is why it will be critical for enterprises to integrate some form of software licensing optimization – to approve, track, manage and optimize usage of applications available on their app store. The consequences of an unexpected, multi-million dollar true-up can have a lasting impact – and a little planning ahead can go a long way. Moreover, tying your app store into your Application Readiness process (which includes app assessment, packaging, format conversion, editing, etc.) helps keep store shelves stocked with apps that are ready for immediate delivery to the user’s device of choice. Tying the app store to these back-end processes is essential to deliver on consumerization of IT while minimizing cost and risk to the organization. -- Steve Schmidt, VP of Corporate Development, Flexera Software