Hybrid Application Package Manager for Cross-Platform Enterprise Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corporate enterprises face increased development complexity and cost due to the need to maintain separate code lines for different mobile platforms and operating systems, exacerbated by the high cost of deploying and publishing mobile applications across various marketplaces.
Innovation Solution
A server-based deployment platform with a mobile application repository, application publisher, and marketplace enables cross-platform deployment of hybrid application packages, using a cross-platform mobile application with a hybrid application package manager and container to provide enterprise application functionality independently of the device's operating system, along with centralized control over access and permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate code lines are maintained for each mobile platform, then platform-specific functionality is optimized, but development complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The application is segmented into distinct layers: a shared core codebase containing common functionality, and platform-specific modules that handle OS-dependent operations. This allows the majority of code to be reused across platforms while maintaining specialized functionality where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal abstraction layer is implemented that provides consistent interfaces for common operations across different mobile platforms. This layer handles platform differences transparently, allowing the same code to function universally across iOS, Android, and other platforms without requiring separate code lines.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate code lines are maintained for each mobile platform, then platform compatibility is improved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The codebase is segmented into a maintainable core section that requires minimal platform-specific adjustments, and isolated platform adapter layers. When bugs or updates are needed, developers can focus on the core codebase knowing that platform-specific issues are contained in separate, easily replaceable modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining entirely separate code lines for each platform, the system uses a copy-modify approach where the core codebase is copied once and then lightly adapted through configuration and platform-specific wrappers, significantly reducing ongoing maintenance effort compared to full separate development.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid application packages are deployed across multiple marketplaces, then cross-platform availability is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single hybrid application package is designed with universal compatibility features that allow it to be deployed across multiple mobile platforms and marketplaces without creating separate versions. The application uses standardized packaging formats and platform-agnostic code structures that work across iOS, Android, and other environments.
Solution Approach 2:
A cross-platform runtime environment or container is used as an intermediary that hosts the hybrid application package across different platforms. This mediator handles platform-specific requirements, allowing the same application package to run universally without modification for each marketplace.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for enabling cross-platform deployment of enterprise software applications, as mobile applications, to different mobile device platforms. A server-based deployment platform, including a mobile application repository, application publisher, and application marketplace, enables the publishing of hybrid application packages that provide enterprise application functionality and can be rendered on different mobile device platforms. A cross-platform mobile application, provided at a mobile device, includes a hybrid application package manager and a container for storing one or more hybrid application packages, and renders the hybrid application packages to provide access to their enterprise application functionality, independently of the device's mobile operating system.