Appirio Ties Together Apple iOS, Salesforce For Swift Mobile App Dev

Cloud solution provider Appirio

According to San Mateo, Calif.-based Appirio, the Mobile Application Development Framework gives cloud providers and customers the ability to build custom, native mobile apps without the need to write native Apple iOS device code. Using Salesforce.com's Force.com cloud app development platform, the Appirio framework lets users build, deploy and manage applications for Apple iOS.

Appirio said the framework lets developers create mobile cloud applications with little or no Apple iOS experience. The framework lets developers build applications that feature the speed and usability of a native app with the flexibility and manageability of a cloud app. For developers, iOS apps can be updated in real time without the need to redeploy. There is also no need to re-compile, re-test and re-deploy code, which can save time and money while maintaining and enhancing apps.

The framework leverages Salesforce.com's Force.com. Using Force.com, developers can create app templates that they can use to extend the functionality of Salesforce sales, service and collaboration cloud investments.

Additionally, Appirio has built pre-existing templates for field surveys, location-based apps, time and activity tracking apps and search and display apps. The templates will be used by Appirio's internal cloud experts who are certified in both Salesforce and Apple solutions.

The frameworks and templates can also be used by Appirio's growing network of third-party developers from its CloudSpokes developer community, a crowd-sourcing community for cloud development that Appirio founded in February. Since its launch, CloudSpokes has grown to 10,000 members and the community has produced an Apple iPad app that lets users find and check-in to nearby Salesforce accounts.

The launch of the Mobile App Dev framework comes as a recent survey from Appirio and TechValidate found that the potential for mobile cloud in the enterprise is enormous and will continue to grow. According to early survey results, 56 percent said mobile apps will provide real-time visibility into business; 46 percent said mobile apps will help employees make better decisions on the go; and 44 percent said mobile apps will enable entirely new business processes.