AppCentral to simplify enterprise smartphone deployment

Mobile software management firm AppCentral is pitching a platform which allows enterprises to manage and deliver smartphone applications.

Mobile App Management provides an option to install applications on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and is designed for companies that develop in-house applications for employees.

The platform will give developers an option beyond the Android Market and Apple's App Store service, the company explained.

"When you have built an application for your employees it is not a very intuitive process to get the app out there," AppCentral chief executive Ken Singer told V3.co.uk.

"You need a way to push out apps to employee-owned devices, and you're going to need to find an additional solution."

The AppCentral platform allows staff to install the software on company-owned and personal devices, and lets IT administrators remotely manage the software and wipe the applications when an employee leaves the company.

The firm is offering the Mobile App Management platform as an on-premise system, and a hosted software-as-a-service option.

The platform can also be configured for very large enterprises to offer an app store-like experience for different branches.

Singer explained that Mobile App Management differs from conventional mobile management systems because AppCentral is approaching the market from a developer rather than a mobile security or IT management background.

"We came from the application enablement world and the whole goal is to provide people with tools," he said.

"We are not locking things down; we are just making sure they are not going to hurt themselves with these tools."