the ultimate guide to apaas -...
TRANSCRIPT
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO
aPaas
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is aPaaS?
Why is aPaaS so hot right now?
What are the common features of aPaaS?
What is the business value of aPaaS?
Evaluating aPaaS: Key Questions to Ask
Conclusion
3
4
13
20
29
34
37
Application Platform as a Service
(aPaaS) is one of the hottest areas of
cloud computing, and rightfully so, as
it can dramatically improve the speed
and ease with which organizations
deliver custom business applications.
The challenge for IT professionals is
that aPaaS is an emerging market.
There’s a lot of confusion about what
aPaaS is (and isn’t)—an issue that’s
compounded by vendors taking
a variety of different approaches,
including “aPaaS-washing” their
existing technology.
We put together The Ultimate Guide
to aPaaS to shed some much-needed
light on aPaaS: what it is, what’s the
value and how it can help transform
your app delivery approach.
One thing is clear: Traditional App
Delivery is Broken. While the need
has never been greater for custom
apps to grow and differentiate
businesses, they must be delivered in
a more rapid, agile and collaborative
manner than ever before. Fortunately,
the right aPaaS can help.
3
Introduction
3The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
What Is aPaas?
34The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
10,000-foot ViewAn application Platform as a Service (aPaaS)
is a cloud service for designing, building,
deploying and managing custom business
applications. In other words, it’s a single,
comprehensive app delivery platform that
seamlessly supports the entire application
lifecycle.
aPaaS Defined
35The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
COLLABORATE
APPPLATFORM
DES
IGN BUILD
DEPLOYMANAG
E
ITERATE
Analyst Perspectives
“A cloud service that offers
development and deployment
environments for application services.”– Gartner, Inc.
“A publicly available cloud platform
for building, hosting, and launching
customer-created applications.”
– Forrester Research
Beware of aPaaS-washingMany vendors are “aPaaS-washing” their existing technology in the rush to enter the market. One example is solutions that simplify code deployment to the cloud, an approach that offers some efficiency gains, but doesn’t address all the challenges with code-based development. True aPaaS solutions accelerate app development while supporting the entire application lifecycle.
Putting aPaaS into Broader Cloud Context
36The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Before going any further, it’s important to put aPaaS (and its various flavors) into
the broader cloud computing context. Recognizing that the lines between SaaS,
PaaS and IaaS have blurred, Mendix CTO Johan den Haan developed a new
framework to categorize the cloud landscape.
Notice how as you move up the stack, each layer abstracts away from technical
details until you reach the applications themselves. Similarly, the corresponding
target users move progressively from IT to the business users.
READ THE ARTICLE OUTLINING JOHAN’S FULL CLOUD FRAMEWORK
For this eBook, we’llfocus on three key layers:
Putting aPaaS into Broader Cloud Context
37The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Layer 2: Foundational PaaS – Allows
the developer to concentrate on the
application itself rather than the ancillary
components needed to run it.
Layer 3: aPaaS – Deals with the
application code in its human-readable
form, before compilation. Professional
developers can upload their code to an
aPaaS without having to worry about
compilation or middleware.
Layer 4: Model-Driven aPaaS –
Provides additional support for visual
modeling languages that accelerate
app development, and are often easy
enough for business users with less
development expertise to use effectively.
Not All aPaaS are Equal: Speed vs. Control
38The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
As you may have guessed from looking
at the image on the previous page, not
all aPaaS solutions are created equal.
Generally, the various platforms on the
market are categorized based on the
degree to which they enable developer
speed or control.
For example, Gartner delineates two
categories of aPaaS based on the
developer experience: high-control and
high-productivity. Forrester Research,
meanwhile, distinguishes between cloud
platforms for DevOps Pros, Coders and
Rapid Developers (Figure 2).
Regardless of the precise classification,
it’s clear that there are divergent
philosophies with regards to aPaaS. As
an IT leader, it’s important to evaluate
them carefully and choose the approach
that will deliver the most business value
to your organization in the long run.
Forrester Delineates Cloud Platforms for 3 Types of Developers
Model-Driven aPaaS: Transforming App Development
39The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
In the high-productivity aPaaS category,
there is a subset of platforms that
leverage Model-Driven Development
(MDD) in various ways. MDD is a
software engineering approach that uses
visual models to create applications with
the goal of abstracting away from code
and other technical details in order to
accelerate app delivery timeframes,
while improving business impact.
Previously, the complexity of IT meant
that only highly-skilled specialists
could work in complex programming
languages. But faced with the need for
greater speed and simplicity, companies
are looking to domain experts to take
an active role in the app development
process. The goal of MDD is to make it
easy enough for business-level users
to build apps themselves, as well as
easily understand/review functionality
developed by others. In the process,
professional developers are freed up
to focus on more technical details of
applications, such as integration or
performance.
A visual domain model built using the Mendix App Platform.
Model-Driven aPaaS: Bringing IT & Business Together
310The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
The inherent value of model-driven
aPaaS is that it brings IT and the
business together, enabling more rapid,
iterative and collaborative development.
Because visual models are used to
define application logic, process flow,
layouts, etc., MDD empowers both
developers and business users to rapidly
build applications, without the need for
low-level coding. In fact, an analysis by
global system integrator Capgemini (see
Figure 4) found MDD to be significantly
faster than traditional programming
languages like C# and Java.
In addition, model-driven aPaaS ensures
short feedback cycles as changes to a
model can quickly and directly be tested
in the actual application. It also provides
an excellent communication mechanism
to align business and IT stakeholders,
thereby ensuring greater quality and
more successful outcomes.
Capgemini analysis of MDD vs. traditional programming languages
Model-Driven aPaaS: The Model is the Application
311The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Model Execution vs. Code GenerationThere are several aPaaS offerings that apply MDD principles in some shape or form. The key to realizing the full benefits, though, is to make MDD part of the full app delivery cycle: from design and development through deployment. This calls for an approach where the model is the application. In other words, the platform executes the model in the runtime—a concept known as model execution.
Model execution contrasts to code generation paradigms, where code (e.g. Java or .NET) is generated from a high-level model in order to run the app. These platforms are targeted mainly at developers and require deep technical skills to get applications to work. Moreover, they’re often inflexible, have maintainability challenges and require more hassle to cover enterprise security, scalability and performance requirements.
In short, code generation approaches provide only incremental efficiency gains—while model execution helps organizations to capitalize on the true potential and value of MDD.
“Most of the new productivity platforms
employ an underlying technology we call
metadata execution… Simply put, the
tools output definitions, not code, and the
definitions are then interpreted by the
platform to create the running application.
Metadata definition is far more flexible than
code generation, the productivity technique
that preceded it.”
-Forrester Research
Comparing code generation and model execution techniques
aPaaS: The iOS of Enterprise App Delivery
312The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
If you think about it, aPaaS is like the iOS for enterprise app delivery. Apple didn’t just introduce a new digital music player; it completely rethought music delivery. Multiple technologies had to come together to make this possible: iTunes, an integrated App Store full of content, ubiquitous Internet, solid state storage, and smaller, faster processors.
Similarly, aPaaS flawlessly integrates a new way of building applications (model-driven development), one-click deployment (cloud), a complete technology stack (scalable and cost effective), content from an ecosystem (App Store), and an engaging platform for social collaboration. Technologies like cloud computing, open source, mobile, social collaboration, web services, and Internet bandwidth had to come together to make this possible.
Just swapping out the stereo for a digital music player didn’t change the game; rethinking music delivery did. aPaaS is one of the fastest-growing IT markets because leading vendors are doing the same: rethinking app delivery.
Converging technologies redefined app delivery, just like they did with music delivery.
Why is aPaaS sohot right now?
313The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
aPaaS Adoption Surging
314The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Just a few years ago, PaaS/aPaaS was barely a blip on the radar. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing segments of the cloud computing market.
IDC estimates that between now and 2017, the PaaS market will grow 30% annually, reaching $14 billion by 2017. Another report published by 451 Research predicts PaaS spending to grow at 36% CAGR, exceeding $20 billion by 2016.
Of the various PaaS sub-categories, aPaaS is contributing more than its share to this torrid growth. That’s because several macro trends are converging, creating unprecedented demand for custom business applications while revealing the inherent limitations with tradition tools and approaches.
In other words, PaaS has become a must-have for today’s enterprise. In the pages that follow, we will explore why.
2012 2016
$5.7B
$20B
Projected PaaS SpendingTotal Growth by 2016
Trend #1: The Pace of Change is Accelerating
315The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Across the board, the pace of change is accelerating rapidly. New products and technologies are being introduced at mindboggling speeds. Moreover, these innovations are reaching mainstream adoption in a fraction of the time it took just a few decades ago.
This rapid change is forcing businesses to constantly generate new sources of growth, innovation, and differentiation. While opportunities are abundant, the window to capitalize on them is smaller than ever.
Consequently, IT teams are under immense pressure to find faster ways of delivering applications to support growing business demands. Equally important, they need to build frequent change into their process, delivering new software on a weekly or even daily basis to react to evolving needs or market conditions.
From No Telephone to Smartphones
Trend #2: Software is Disrupting Industries
316The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Disrupt or be disrupted. That is the harsh reality businesses face today. Thanks to the speed of innovation—and lower barriers to entry—new players are disrupting even the most mature industries.
For proof, look no farther than Uber in transportation, Nest in home hardware, Square in finance and so on. What these innovative companies have in common is the following:
New players disrupting the status quo
App-driven approach
Continuously releasing app enhancements
Whether you’re a startup or established enterprise, custom business applications have become a primary driver for growth and differentiation. Today, every company must think—and act—like a software company. To do so, IT must work more closely with the business and put in the right framework and processes to accelerate application-fueled innovation.
Trend #3: Consumerization’s Impact on the Enterprise
317The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
It’s easy to cast the “consumerization of IT” as just another overhyped buzzword. In reality, our personal experiences have radically transformed expectations for business apps in the enterprise.
Business users are demanding that IT deliver the same kinds of intuitive and intelligent apps they use every day. Having finally experienced how simple yet powerful software can be, they expect:
Multiple lightweight apps focused on specific needs, not a single monolithic suite
Apps that are so simple and intuitive that extensive training isn’t required
Apps that are available on-demand, from a central App Store
Multi-channel apps that work seamlessly on any device (PC, tablet, or smartphone)
Apps that are developed rapidly, and updated constantly
Reality Check: Enterprise IT Hasn’t Kept Pace
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While the world around them has changed dramatically, many enterprise IT teams remain stuck in the past, bogged down in a quagmire of legacy systems and outdated development methods. They’re unable to keep pace with growing demands because they:
Focus on Keeping the Lights On –80% of IT budgets is spent on maintaining existing systems, leaving little resources for projects aimed at capitalizing on new opportunities.
Treat All Applications the Same – IT addresses all app delivery projects with a single, uniform approach geared towards large, complex and slow-to-change systems.
Rely Solely on Coding – IT continues to rely on code, which is a barrier to rapid, iterative and collaborative development. Developers and business stakeholders lack a common ‘language,’ which makes the process of translating requirements into software too long, too complicated and too risky.
“If we rely solely on coding, we’re
going to fail. It’s too slow. It’s too
inflexible… We can’t move fast
enough.”
John RymerPrincipal AnalystForrester Research
LEARN MORE ABOUT GARTNER’S PACE-LAYERED APP STRATEGY
Traditional App Delivery is Broken
319The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
IT PROJECTS are failing BACKLOGS are growing The BUSINESS is unhappy
A recent McKinsey study re-
veals that 87% of IT leaders
think their competitors are
faster in bringing new ideas
to market. In other words,
only 13% think their organi-
zations are doing well.
$1T94% 87%
Gartner predicts that IT debt
(“the cost of delayed and
deferred maintenance of
the application portfolio”)
threatens to reach one tril-
lion dollars globally by 2015.
The scale of the backlog has
created a systemic risk that
is impacting IT organizations.
According to the Standish
Group, 94% of large IT proj-
ects are either “challenged”
(i.e., over budget, behind
schedule or didn’t meet user
expectations) or fail together.
Of those that fail, 71% do so
because of poor require-
ments management, notes
CIO magazine
What are the common features of aPaaS?
320The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
At the beginning of this eBook, we
defined an application Platform
as a Service (aPaaS) as a single,
comprehensive platform that supports
the entire application lifecycle. In
this section, we will use that lifecycle
to illustrate the key features of an
enterprise aPaaS.
Design
Build
Deploy
Manage
Collaborate
Iterate
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
321The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
COLLABORATE
APPPLATFORM
DES
IGN BUILD
DEPLOYMANAG
E
ITERATE
An aPaaS supports the entire application lifecycle
Agile Project ManagementTo facilitate rapid, iterative and collaborative
development cycles, the aPaaS should be
aligned with the agile/scrum methodologies,
with built-in features for:
Capturing, refining and prioritizing user stories, and managing the project backlog
Estimating and planning sprints and releases
Monitoring sprint progress using scrum boards and burn-down charts
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
322The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
The Mendix App Platform Buzz feature has Facebook-like activity streams.
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
An aPaaS supports the Design phase of the application lifecycle through agile project
management and social collaboration features.
Social CollaborationMoreover, it’s essential to break down
walls between departments with a central
collaboration space that’s as fun and easy
to use as Facebook. Activity streams,
threads, polls and chat features help spark
conversations that generate new ideas
and refine applications. They also help
keep stakeholders aligned and engaged
throughout the project lifecycle.
Visual Model-Driven DevelopmentModel-Driven Development (MDD)
has emerged as one of the leading
approaches for enabling rapid, collaborative
development. MDD uses visual models
for defining data models, application-
and process logic, user interfaces,
etc. Consequently, both developers
and business users can quickly build
applications, without low-level coding. MDD
also ensures short feedback cycles as
changes can directly be tested in the actual
application.
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
323The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
The visual modeling environment of the Mendix App Platform.
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
In the Develop phase, it is important to that the aPaaS leverage a development paradigm that
fosters greater communication, productivity and short iterations.
Extend Models with Custom CodeStandard MDD functionality is more
than sufficient for most applications.
However, there may be instances where
developers need to fall back on a general
purpose language to extend a model.
Thus, integration with a 3rd generation
programming language (like Java) is an
important part of a model-driven aPaaS.
Accelerate Development with an App StoreMany aPaaS vendors help further accelerate development productivity with an App Store
populated with pre-built templates, widgets, plugins and even complete business components.
In this sense, developing an app becomes more like “composing” the necessary building
blocks. You’re able to jumpstart the process by easily reusing common components versus
reinventing the wheel each project.
There are two main types of App Stores:
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
324The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
The Mendix App Store is fully integrated with the development environment, enabling 1-click reuse of application components.
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
Public App Store – A central place for community members to share reusable templates and components. Most are open source, but many App Stores also feature commercial templates and full applications.
Enterprise App Store – A secure app store for IT teams to manage, share and re-use all internal apps and components.
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
325The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
One-Click Cloud DeploymentHaving sufficiently improved speed of
development, the last thing you want
is for your team to get bogged down
with deployment issues. Instant cloud
deployment is therefore an essential feature
of aPaaS. With platforms that use executable
models, a single click is typically all that’s
required to run your app in the cloud.
Monitoring Dashboard and AlertsIn addition, an aPaaS typically includes
a central dashboard for managing your
applications, (including availability, security,
performance and scalability), as well as the
ability to easily configure alerts.
Flexible Deployment ModelsWhile the public cloud is often sufficient,
there are scenarios necessitating alternate
deployment options, whether private
cloud, on-premise, or hybrid. Thus, it’s
important that the platform offer flexibility of
deployment Even if this is not an immediate
need, this flexibility can save you major
headaches down the road.
Instantly deploying an app to the Mendix Cloud.
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
326The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
Since high-level, visual languages enable domain experts to be part of the development
process, there is an increase in so-called Business Unit Application Development. This should
not be something to be afraid of. In fact, an aPaaS can IT to become more scalable and
responsive, allowing the business to take advantage of more opportunities.
Platforms typically include built-in features that help ensure availability, security, performance
and scalability. In addition, they provide IT with tools to manage all applications from a single
dashboard and enforce workflows around deployment, testing, and configuration. In short, an
aPaaS can help IT can control the app jungle!
A monitoring dashboard showing the status of applications in test, acceptance and production environments.
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
327The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
Unique or innovative applications are often marked by unclear requirements, as well as frequent
ongoing changes as needs evolve. Thus, the iterate process extends across the entire lifecycle,
from the initial project phases to apps already in production.
New apps (or functionality) often start with an idea. Business and IT need an environment that
facilitates collaboration, allowing them to work from ideas to apps through frequent iterations.
Since key feedback comes from end-users as they lay their hands on an app, the ability to
provide frequent demos/prototypes and easily incorporate feedback are key aPaaS features.
Closed-Loop FeedbackFor instance, feedback mechanisms can capture end-user feedback and feed it directly to the
development team, fueling ongoing enhancements. Ideally, these mechanism will automatically
capture additional context (user, browser, form, etc.) that allows developers to more easily
understand and address needs.
A feedback form within a Mendix application.
One Platform for the Entire App Delivery Lifecycle
328The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
DESIGN BUILD DEPLOY MANAGE ITERATE COLLABORATE
Like the iterate phase, collaboration is something that must extend across the entire app
lifecycle. A model-driven aPaaS includes features that bring IT and the business together,
fostering greater collaboration and communication. These features include:
The Mendix App Platform feature for instantly inviting other users toyour app.
Social collaboration capabilitiesto keep all stakeholders aligned and engaged, and facilitate the process of translating requirements into working apps
Model-driven developmentwhich provides a common language for business and IT, allowing them to jointly build, understand, review and refine applications
Sandboxes environments for instantly deploying and sharing demos and prototypes with other users in order to gather feedback and iterate towards a final version
Feedback loops to capture end-user feedback and feed it directly to the development team
What is the businessvalue of aPaaS?
329The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
aPaaS Unlocks Significant Business Value
330The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Business Value of aPaaS
331The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Greater IT-Business CollaborationHistory has shown that improving developer productivity alone has only marginal impact on app delivery success. Model-driven aPaaS helps organizations deliver outsized results by bringing IT and the business together, fostering greater collaboration throughout the entire app lifecycle. Organizations find that they’re able to dramatically improve the time to market and quality of business applications, while minimizing the traditional complexity and risk.
“We put developers and business
users together and they can
collaborate very rapidly. We create
prototypes and make changes
quickly and easily…. Creating
software at LV= requires much
more than coding. You need to
understand business processes,
first and foremost.” Rod WillmottFast Track Director
Smaller, More Efficient TeamsModel-driven aPaaS changes the dynamics of project teams. Instead of a dozen or more specialist developers, you’re able to have smaller, cross-functional teams of 2-5 people. These teams are typically made up of “business engineers” that combine strong domain knowledge with an affinity for technology.
Because they bridge the gap between IT and the business, this new breed of developers can deliver apps at faster speeds, higher quality and lower costs. For instance, companies like Arch Re Fac, Capgemini, LV= insurance, Teraco and TNT Express all built large or complex apps with just two business engineers.
With only two developers working
in weekly sprints, Teraco built
a core back-end system that
supports business processes
across the entire organization,
including CRM, operations and
billing.
Business Value of aPaaS
332The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Faster Time to MarketHands down, model-driven aPaaS offers the fastest way to deliver custom business applications. As illustrated in the Capgemini analysis discussed earlier, when you replace traditional coding with MDD, building applications becomes orders of magnitude faster. Coupled with instant cloud deployment, these massive productivity gains can shrink what would have been a 6 month project literally down to 6 weeks.
“Even though we started a couple
of months later than planned, we
still delivered the new sales app on
time – and the reason was Mendix.
We had initially estimated about 30
days of development time for each
interface. But with Mendix, we had
working interfaces in two days.” Matthias BartelsBusiness App Leader
Significant Cost Savings & ROIaPaaS generates significant cost savings over traditional application development and delivery methods. Here are a few different ways how:
Fewer People – In addition to small teams, you need fewer highly-skilled, expensive developers.
Shorter Projects – Higher productivity results in shorter projects and lower overhead.
Better Software – A collaborative, iterative approach leads to less rework.
Better Software – Instant cloud deployment eliminates large infrastructure investments.
The Boston Globe uses the
Mendix aPaaS to rapidly deliver
custom applications. As a result
of faster time to market, greater
staff efficiency, and lower software
maintenance fees, Globe VP of IT
notes, “it’s almost a clean ROI in 3
months.”
Business Value of aPaaS
333The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Ease and Frequency of ChangeAs one industry analyst recently notes, time to market means two things:
Fast delivery of the initial release
Prompt updates and changes “designed in”
The latter is equally as important given the accelerating pace of change. Frequent updates are required, even demanded by the business. Fortunately, model-driven aPaaS makes updates as fast and as easy as the initial release.
In addition to allowing KPN to quickly build a new application that supports its 2G, 3G and 4G networks, the Mendix aPaaS has reduced time to market for subsequent modifications by 70%, saving about $300,000 per release. Consequently, KPN can roll out new service offerings months sooner than previously possible.
Massive Opportunity CostsLastly, it’s important not to overlook opportunity costs. By accelerating project timelines and outcomes, aPaaS unlocks greater efficiencies and revenues, resulting in a cascading effect. The true value becomes staggering when you multiply these benefits over dozens of apps. Suddenly, IT is in the position of being a true strategic partner that is driving the business forward, helping the company to grow, innovate and differentiate itself.
“We’re fundamentally
transforming the way IT enables
the business. We’re just getting
started in terms of how we can
leverage the platform to drive our
innovation and growth.”Harald SwinkelsCEO and Co-Founder
Evaluating aPaaS:Key Questions to Ask
334The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
Evaluating aPaaS: Key Questions to Ask
335The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
1. How easy is it to build applications?Incremental improvements to code-based methods simply won’t suffice. You’ll want to pay careful attention to how easy it is for non-developers to actively participate in the process.
Does it leverage a proprietary programming language that requires highly-specialized developers? Or is built around a visual paradigm that allows both developers and business users to build and review apps?
Is there an app store full of pre-built widgets and components that can be easily used in new apps, saving time and effort?
2. Can the platform be used to integrate with, or extend, any existing systems?While certain platforms are geared towards extending specific systems (i.e. CRM), they may fall short in addressing your full range of app delivery and integration needs.
Can you easily build new apps and extend existing enterprise systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle) with modern multi-channel apps?
Can you seamlessly integrate new apps with any existing process and system?
Are there capabilities like workflow integration, open APIs and prepackaged connectors?
aPaaS is an emerging market with a variety of different approaches, which can make for an apples and oranges comparison. To help IT leaders choose the best aPaaS for their needs—now and in the future— we put together this list of important questions to ask.
Evaluating aPaaS: Key Questions to Ask
336The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
3. Are there capabilities to facilitate IT/business collaboration?Many aPaaS solutions overlook crucial capabilities for keeping all stakeholders aligned and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
Are there native social collaboration features native, including Facebook-like activity streams and built-in chat?
Are there agile project management tools for creating user stories, managing sprints and releases, and tracking progress with scrum boards and burn-down charts?
Can developers quickly share prototypes that are working applications with the team or groups of end users for feedback?
4. Scalability and performanceCertain aPaaS solutions may only be suited for lightweight departmental apps, not core enterprise systems. Depending on your specific needs, you may want to ask:
Does the platform offer the required scalability, performance, security, etc.?
What are some performance benchmarks for the platform?
Are there clients who have successfully delivered core, back-end systems?
5. Can you deliver truly multi-device applications?While enterprise mobile apps are hot, it’s important to remember that mobile is not—and should never be—an island.
Can you build an application once and make it accessible to users via all devices?
Are there capabilities for easily building mobile and tablet-specific interfaces?
Can you manage all of the back-end requirements of enterprise mobile apps?
6. How fast and flexible is the deployment process?Deployment issues should not slow a project down or even concern your development team. When evaluating aPaaS, it’s essential that deployment is as fast and easy as plugging an appliance into a power outlet.
Can you literally deploy an app to the cloud with one click?
Can you move seamlessly from test to acceptance to production environments?
Are there flexible deployment options: public cloud, private cloud, hybrid or on premise?
Thanks to a groundswell of
technological innovation, the pace
of change is accelerating rapidly.
Businesses today need more and
more applications to innovate, grow
and differentiate themselves. The
challenge is that a continued reliance
on traditional app development
and delivery methods has put IT on
thin ice—struggling with growing
backlogs, project failures and
tarnished reputations.
With the world around them moving
at warp speed, organizations need to
transform their app delivery approach.
Application Platform as a Service
(aPaaS) offers much-needed light
at the end of the tunnel. With the
right platform, IT and business can
work together to deliver apps in a
more rapid, agile and collaborative
manner than they ever imagined.
Finally, there’s a way to deliver
custom business apps at the speed of
business!
3
Finally a Way to Deliver Appsat the Speed of Business
37The Ultimate Guide to aPaaS
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