Android OS was initially released on September 2008. Four years, and it is still going strong, despite facing stiff competition from its arch rival – the iOS. In fact, a majority of smartphone users around the world, are turning to Android based smartphones simply because it is a great platform that provides them a number of inventive features and functionalities.
This and many other points, support the fact that the Android OS is a great platform and it encourages developers to take the initiative for developing a number of innovative applications. Let us look at these points in-depth and understand what makes this OS such a great platform for development of Enterprise android applications in particular.
Allows you to Think Big
Android is the product of the Open Handset Alliance, comprised of some of the world’s greatest technology companies like Google, Dell, Samsung and Sony, that dealt in mobile technology in some way or the other. And from its very inception, this platform allowed developers to think big and beyond the conventional norms set by existing mobile platforms.
Take the example of one of the latest Android OS versions, the ICS.
It has path-breaking features such as face-unlock, customizable home screen, versatile camera capabilities, Android beam for NFC based sharing and much more. All these features and functionalities are great development resources in themselves and give developers a chance to create some of the most inventive apps ever made.
Secure
Although Android is open source, it is a highly secure platform. This is because it has a rich security model, which allows developers to build secure apps for their end-users. Also, if there is any security flaw in the OS, the app developers can report it, and an immediate action is taken by the authorities at Android. Also, the Android OS allows users to either permit or deny an application from performing certain tasks on their handsets.
This means that in both these cases, it is a win-win situation for Android which acts as a safe haven for developers to build apps. And security is one of the major requirements of all enterprise apps.
Optimum Usability
Android helps you create Easy-to-Use Apps, for optimum usage, increase process efficiency, and productivity. For example, even if you are a newbie Android developer and have a basic knowledge about programming languages necessary to create Android apps, you can easily learn how to use the Android SDK within a few days. Soon enough, you’ll be able to create feature-rich enterprise apps that are optimized for the end-users that are easy to use, help in increasing the efficiency of various processes and enhancing the productivity of the enterprise.
Great from Cost Perspective
Another advantage of Android’s open source nature is that you can create cost-effective apps for various enterprises; something that all large, medium and small enterprises look forward to. However, this doesn’t mean that the apps developed lack quality; in fact, if you compare various high-end apps on iTunes and Google Play that have same features and functions, you will find almost no difference in the quality of the apps. This is good news for enterprises, which will get the maximum return on investment on various apps custom built for meeting their needs.
Scalability
Scalability is the scope of including/making large scale changes in the future.
Android OS versions resemble a series, i.e. each version just adds features and functions to the previous one. This means that an app developed for a particular version of the OS, will function in the next version as well. This is good news for enterprises, as they won’t have to upgrade their app or build a completely new app, every time a new version of the OS is released.
In conclusion
These are some of the reasons why Android OS is a great platform for development for enterprise apps. So, if you are thinking of creating such apps for your end-users, go ahead and develop them with full confidence.