7T was honored to be asked to participate in IBM’s MobileFirst Tech Talk series by presenting a webcast on our cross-platform app development process. As an IBM Premier Business Partner, we were excited to support this initiative to teach developers how to build and manage mobile solutions.
In the webcast, entitled “How 7T Builds Great Cross-Platform Apps,” Daniel Brookshier, our Chief Architect, discusses our unique approach to cross-platform app development; specifically, how we overcome the challenges involved by using IBM Worklight, our proprietary STAMP process, and STAX API, and utilizing our own Worklight app OnBoard as a case study to illustrate the process.
To shed light on the multitude of challenges presented by cross-platform enterprise mobile app development, Brookshier reiterated our company’s philosophy: “Mobility is not a ‘magic pill.’ How you use it, when you use it, and why you use it are what determines its success.” The need for usability, speed, visual appeal, security, integration into a company’s network, and integration into a company’s overall business strategy make enterprise app development an extremely complex process.
In order to build apps that meet these needs, 7T makes use of our unique 7T Agile Mobile Process (STAMP), which emphasizes user experience design, enterprise architecture, high level design, and detailed UX. Because of our focus on these areas, STAMP offers many benefits, including:
- clearer development goals;
- faster development;
- a reduced or completely eliminated need for reworking;
- business strategy alignment;
- better acceptance among employees;
- the ability to leverage both new and old capabilities without necessitating a redesign of a company’s IT assets;
- quick start cloud connectivity;
- a reduced risk of adding mobile clients; and
- opportunities to grow IT capabilities.
In addition to STAMP, IBM Worklight is another key component of our app development process. Because it is a true cross-platform development tool, Worklight makes the building, testing, deployment, and management of enterprise mobile apps simpler and less costly. It provides excellent security solutions and out-of-the-box analytics, while also allowing integration with both IBM and third party solutions, and access to a wide support community.
The final component of our process is the 7T Architecture for Cross-Platform Apps (STAX). Since HTML5 development is still in its early stages, a tool was needed to allow software developers to create consistent, well-tested, and predictable code. By automating important tasks with standard patterns, STAX makes for fewer mistakes in coding.
As an example of an app created using 7T’s unique process, Brookshier discussed OnBoard, a cloud-based Worklight app designed to serve as a directory connecting employees and their social and business apps. Several challenges presented themselves in the design of this app. Most of the data was in the enterprise cloud. It required a complex security solution, and needed to be accessible from multiple devices. The data loads needed to be fast, and in addition, it was necessary for users to have the ability to self-manage data. Because of our use of IBM Worklight, STAMP, and STAX, however, these issues were overcome, and the app development was successful.
For a more in-depth explanation of these development issues and their solutions, visit IBM’s MobileFirst Tech Talk webpage to listen to the webcast. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding cross-platform enterprise mobile app development – we would love the opportunity to help your business meet its mobility needs.
Based in Dallas, 7T maintains regional offices located in Chicago and Houston. We work with clients worldwide in a variety of industries. If you’re in search of an innovative development partner, we invite you to contact the team at 7T today.
