There is a lot of talk in the market now, about how mobile cloud apps will soon become the talk of the digital town. Should you begin investing more in mobile cloud apps?
The article will focus on the issue that most of the digital business strategists are concerned about, but before that, let’s just take a look at what the technology is all about and how is it different from native built applications. The other concern that the article will try to highlight is that, whether such hybrid apps are actually user-friendly.
Mobile Apps in the World of Digital Marketing
The mobile app marketing world is no more at a nascent stage. With the rapid rise in the number of mobile device ownerships, mobile apps also, have become a major medium of user interactions. It is not something that marketers can do without, for it has become the better half of web development that can bring a business direct client interaction and sales.
Over the years, the digital industry has seen various business verticals introducing the mobile app as part of their marketing strategy. It has become something that is impossible to be kept out of any business strategy be it targeting leads or retaining existing clients. Mobile apps have evolved in their functions as well.
Today, you will be able to find high-end technologies like beacon integrated apps that make client engagement and marketing even more direct and personalized. And yet the confusion between native mobile apps and mobile cloud apps still continue to linger for many. In fact, it should be the sixth factor that needs to be considered by anyone prior to launching enterprise apps.
What are Mobile Cloud Apps and How Friendly are they?
Mobile cloud applications are a type of software program designed to be run on external servers. The data gets stored externally and could be accessed over the internet via a browser.
Mobile cloud apps are just like mobile web applications. However, it is often said that all cloud apps can be web apps but not all web apps can be cloud apps. That’s because while a web app can be originally written to run and store data on a dedicated physical server, cloud apps need to be live written on the virtual server in the form of a distributed and multi-tenant architecture. This allows the easy storage of data in the cloud system.
Mobile cloud apps are completely different from native applications in the sense that the latter is developed for a particular operating system and a device. Even the data that is derived from the native built apps get stored on the device from where it is accessible. The requirement of internet connectivity depends on the nature of the native app. Besides, they also have the privilege of utilizing the latest technology features that mobile devices generally have. For example – the global positioning system (GPS) and the camera.
Speaking from the developers’ point of view, mobile cloud apps are easier and faster to develop since they are developed to be run on multiple devices. This is different from native apps, where developers are required to create three different OS versions – iOS, Android, and Windows. Since cloud apps are not downloaded, the developer can write only for a single app. It is no doubt, much cost effective speaking from the development point of view.
The Apparent Differences between Native Apps and Cloud Apps
The difference in look between the two kinds of app is readily apparent. These include –
- The nature of the environment – the mobile device or the mobile cloud server
- The look and feel – In the case of mobile cloud apps, it comes in an emulated form and is quite different from the native appearance of native mobile apps. Cloud apps do not natively support any notifications, which on the other hand, are supported by native mobile applications.
- The UI speed – Native apps have a comparatively faster UI speed than cloud apps. That’s because native apps are built on a user interface that eliminates the need for a browser.
The only way the decision regarding whether or not to invest in mobile cloud apps lies in the fact whether the developer is willing to sacrifice function for the ease of porting to various devices. Besides, let’s not forget about the technical requirements that are required when getting down to invest on mobile cloud apps.
Advantages of Mobile Cloud Apps
Cloud computing can bring a number of advantages to a business’s development and marketing strategy. These types of mobile apps are ideal for small scale businesses because of the following reasons –
- Unlimited Data Storage
You need not worry anymore about running out of storage space. Cloud-based apps increase your current data storage availability.
- Full Backup and Recovery
Cloud computing is comparatively competent when it comes to back up important information and extracting them when needed. It reduces the potentiality of losing any important data. This enables easy access to information as well. In fact, the convenient feature enables users to move beyond the issue of geographic location as well as the time zone.
- Automatic Integration of Software
Cloud computing enables automatic software integration. This means, all the customization and additions integrations need not be done separately. All you have to do is handpick the services and applications that best suit a particular enterprise.
Cloud Computing Have Certain Disadvantages As Well
These are –
- Technical Issues
As far as native apps are concerned, a developer can write using native programming languages like Objective-C, Java, and Visual C++. However, in the case of mobile cloud apps, the development tools are not tied to specific mobile operating systems. Cloud apps are written in CSS3 and JavaScript, HTML5 and server-side languages like C++ or web application frameworks namely Rails, PHP and Python.
- A Good Internet Connection
Cloud apps require a good internet connection that can be utilized for logging on to the server. Or else, the user may find oneself invariably stuck due to bad connectivity and network.
- Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
Nothing is secure in the world of digital marketing it seems. Adopting the cloud technology makes business sensitive information vulnerable to cyber threats.
The Future of Mobile Clouds Marketing
Despite the advantages and the disadvantages, you cannot ignore the potential mobile market growth that has been the forecast worldwide. It has been noted that by 2019, the mobile cloud market is expected to grow to $ 46.90 billion. But how much will mobile cloud apps be relevant for your business market growth and development?
The answer to that, of course, lies in the fact as to whether your target audience is actually ready for it. Therefore study your market behavior carefully first before investing on the latest marketing trends.
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