IBM this week launched a massive all-company mobile computing push that the company says is a trend that will transform the enterprise as we know it.
The IBM Mobile First effort encompasses everything from application development and deployment to security and analytics including:
IBM MobileFirst Platform – New updates include expanded capabilities of IBM Worklight application development platform that now includes single sign-on capabilities for multiple applications and a beta release of the Rational Test Workbench for mobile applications.
IBM MobileFirst Security – Extends IBM access control solutions and application vulnerability testing to Apple iOS apps with the latest release of AppScan.
IBM MobileFirst Management – New updates to IBM Endpoint Manager include enhanced support for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs.
IBM MobileFirst Analytics – IBM is expanding its Tealeaf CX Mobile solution to give enterprises more visual insight into usage of mobile computing applications.
In addition, IBM announced that it is extending its partnership with AT&T to include support for the AT&T API program within the IBM Worklight mobile application development platform.
According to Ed Brill, market director for IBM Mobile Enterprise, it’s clear that end users are going to use their mobile computing devices most often. But instead of merely giving users access to email and file-sharing services, IBM is making the case that mobile computing will transform how entire business processes are constructed. Naturally, that will affect everything relating to how enterprise applications are built, deployed and maintained.
On a practical level, mobile computing also means that each end user is going to wind up with multiple devices. IT organizations are going to be required to provide a more user-centric approach to IT management that focuses on the user experience across multiple platforms versus continuing to manage each device in isolation.
We’re still in the early stages of a mobile computing revolution that is already having a dramatic impact on end-user productivity. The challenge facing IT organizations now is figuring out how to take that revolution to the next level.
