When building an enterprise mobile app or software platform, it’s easy to focus on features and functionality. But what happens when the development phase is over? You’ll need to decide on precisely where to host the data that comprises your newly-built platform.
Hosting isn’t just for websites; you need to host your mobile app, web-based apps and web-based software interfaces. There are two basic options for hosting your mobile app: traditional hosting and cloud-based hosting. So which is best for your needs?
What is Traditional Hosting for Mobile Apps & Enterprise Software?
Traditional hosting involves buying a block of space on a physical server in a hosting company’s data center. You can opt for shared hosting, whereby several clients share a single server. With shared hosting, the hosting company configures and manages most aspects of the server configuration, which can be useful for those who lack technical expertise.
You can also opt for private hosting, which allows you to reserve an entire server that you can privately manage in a hosting company’s data center. This is a good option for those with large volumes of data and / or exceptional security needs, as you maintain full control over the server’s resources.
Some companies enjoy the control of private hosting in particular, but these traditional hosting options are not cost effective or easily scalable. They lack cost effectiveness because you’re paying for server space that you’re not using; what’s more, you can’t scale efficiently without a major time and financial expenditure. That’s why more and more people are moving toward cloud hosting.
What is Cloud Hosting for Enterprise Software & Apps?
Cloud hosting tends to be extremely scalable and financially-friendly because you pay only for the server resources you use — no more and no less. Cloud-based hosting platforms are accessible from anywhere on the planet and most cloud providers give customers access to a wide variety of configuration options.
Cloud hosting platforms are a virtual environment where customers can purchase resources on an as-needed basis. There’s no tie-down to a physical server or any other resource and you’re free to engage or disengage as needed.
Cloud hosting companies are offering what’s termed an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), since they maintain all of the hardware and most of the software required to run the servers. What’s more, cloud hosting providers utilize cutting-edge security technologies. When cloud-based infrastructures first emerged, the security risk was clear, prompting the development of some very secure hosting environments.
Cloud hosting is a great option for virtually all companies and organizations, even those with special security needs. The scalability, flexibility and affordability is a wonderful option, with cloud solutions offered by industry heavyweights such as Amazon AWS and Snowflake.
Once you’ve chosen a hosting platform for your mobile app, your development team can oversee migration from the development server to the cloud.
Leveraging Apple Business Manager for Enterprise App Distribution
One option that dovetails nicely with cloud hosting for mobile apps in particular is the Apple Business Manager platform. Apple Business Manager provides a nice option for the limited distribution of enterprise mobile apps or other private platforms.
Apple Business Manager’s app distribution platform works in a manner that’s quite similar to the App Store, except there’s no mechanism for searching the apps that are available via the platform. Instead, the app download and installation page is accessed via a special invitation link with an embedded code.
Companies and organizations can purchase blocks of 25,000 codes, which are then distributed to the select individuals who will be permitted to install and utilize the mobile app. In essence, this platform allows for invitation-only installation of mobile apps, with all the convenience of the App Store, but without the hassle of unwanted public downloads. And it’s all hosted in the cloud!
As a top Dallas custom software development company focusing on enterprise development projects, 7T strives to solve problems and boost ROI through digital transformation. A large portion of our mobile app and custom software development work involves enterprise clients, who are seeking to expand, augment or streamline their operations with purpose-built technology.
Our innovative team integrates cutting-edge solutions into virtually every development project, whether it’s mobile app development, custom software projects such as CRM platforms and ERP development, or Snowflake data solutions, we’re ready to deliver collaborative, multi-phased software development services to clients in all business sectors.
7T has offices in Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and Austin, but our clientele spans far beyond Texas and the midwest. If you’re ready to harness the power of an enterprise mobile app, custom enterprise software platform, an enterprise mobile app and today’s most innovative technologies, contact 7T. We invite you to call our Dallas area offices at 214-299-5100.
