Entering the world of mobile enterprise apps for the first time can leave you baffled by a barrage of new jargon: new terms, abbreviations, and perhaps even words you haven’t come across before. To help guide you in the right direction and make it a little less daunting, we’ve compiled a glossary of commonly used terms with their meanings.
API (Application Programming Interface): Programming tools that allow the sharing of information from one system to another.
APK (Android Application Package): A file format required to distribute Android apps.
App Builder: A tool for users to create apps without the need for programming.
App Wrapping: Protecting enterprise information on mobile devices with a security and management layer.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Allowing employees to work from their personal devices and access the company’s information, applications, and documents.
CMS (Content Management System): Software that, in one central system, enables the publication, modification, and organisation of content.
CRM System (Customer Relationship Management): Allowing for the management, improvement, and support of lead-generation, sales, support, and interactions.
Containerisation: App wrapping creates containers. Containers manage and secure apps.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Used alongside HTML, it allows for the designing and styling of web pages and hybrid mobile apps.
CYOD (Choose Your Own Device): Allowing employees to choose the device they would like to use.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A coding language used to create websites, web pages, web apps, and hybrid mobile apps.
IPA: The format used for distributing iOS apps.
Java: Mostly used for Android mobile apps, a programming language and framework which enables the building of software.
JavaScript: Like Java, but generally used for creating interactive effects and features, like games, audio, and visual effects.
EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management): Software and tools to mange and secure employees’ mobile devices.
Enterprise Mobility: Using mobiles within the company to increase efficiency and productivity by allowing employees to work away from their desk.
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): Software enabling the management and automation of business processes.
MAM (Mobile Applications Management): Solutions for managing the apps on mobile devices.
MCM (Mobile Content Management): Allowing employees to share and collaborate on content through mobile devices.
MDM (Mobile Device Management): Solutions for managing mobile devices.
Secure Enterprise Workspace: A secure environment for users to access enterprise resources.
Systems Management: Generally for the management of enterprise-owned devices, rather than employees’ devices, systems management refers to the management of systems beyond smartphones, tablets, and sometimes laptops, and focusses on devices such as desktops, printers, etc.
VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure): Desktop virtualisation hosting user desktop environments on data centre servers, allowing users to access desktops from mobile devices.
Web-based Applications: Applications that can only be accessed from a web browser.
As with all technology, mobile enterprise apps will continue to grow and develop, and so will the terminology. This list should get you started though, and make it easier to make the right choices in developing your own mobile enterprise apps.
If you need any advice, or you have an enquiry, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’re always happy to help.
Tradebox Media are an award-winning software development agency based in Cardiff, UK.