Enterprise apps

The mobile app industry is experiencing rapid growth, surpassing the annual profits of the US Box Office and poised to surpass global box office revenue soon. This surge is mirrored in the demand for enterprise apps, with Gartner predicting that by 2017, demand will outstrip supply by a factor of five.

Economic drivers further underscore this demand, revealing that 43% of enterprise app developers earn $10,000 per month, compared to just 19% of consumer app developers. As the digital workplace evolves, with employees using an average of three devices daily (projected to increase to five or six with emerging technologies like wearable and IoT), the need for enterprise software on mobile and tablet platforms grows. This aligns with the adoption of Bring Your Device policies across industries.

With the proliferation of mobile usage and the normalization of enterprise apps, the expectation for mobile access to enterprise software rises. Each enterprise web app must be accessible across devices and adapt its user interface for usability. This shift has elevated the dominance of hybrid mobile apps over native ones, exemplified by ATO’s proposed web app in July 2016. Hybrid apps, coded in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, offer cost-efficient solutions and improved web rendering engines for users accessing them via desktop computers.

Looking ahead, the ATO should monitor the enterprise application market for enhancement opportunities, particularly in areas like Business Intelligence (BI) and Client Relationship Management (CRM).

Tools

Evolution in the digital landscape has spurred the evolution of coding tools, emphasizing efficiency and ease of use. Two primary areas of improvement include the development of cross-platform solutions and enhancements in tool efficiency, resulting in reduced workload for developers. Responding to the demand for agile development practices and swift turnaround times, developers now prioritize creating versatile apps compatible with multiple platforms, rather than limiting themselves to single-platform apps.

While cross-platform apps offer broad compatibility, they may sacrifice the ability to fully leverage platform-specific features, leading to a potentially less immersive user experience compared to native apps. Native mobile apps, on the other hand, capitalize on the unique capabilities of each platform, including specific hardware and software functionalities.

The advent of Rapid Mobile App Development (RMAD) tools has revolutionized the app development process by offering low-code or code-free programming solutions. These tools encompass a range of functionalities, from drag-and-drop interfaces to code generation and orchestration tools, enabling faster app development for mobile platforms.

While RMAD tools primarily focus on native app creation, emerging technologies like React Native are challenging traditional barriers by enabling developers to build native apps for multiple platforms using JavaScript. React Native, introduced by Facebook, empowers developers to create native apps for iOS and Android using familiar web development techniques, as endorsed by influential developers like James Long.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) might explore the potential benefits of incorporating advanced RMAD (Rapid Mobile App Development) developer tools into its software development toolkit. Procurement of software, especially in areas of complexity and cross-platform compatibility, could be a strategic consideration for the ATO.

Citizen Development The scarcity of skilled mobile developers to meet growing app demands has spurred ‘citizen developer’ initiatives. As enterprises increasingly embrace mobile app development, there’s a shift towards empowering less skilled staff to address the widening demand gap. The adoption of mobile Rapid App Development tools enables ordinary business users to create their own solutions through low code platforms for citizen development.

Gartner’s research director anticipates significant expansion in citizen development efforts over the next five years. This trend is fueled by the growing enterprise adoption of cloud-based software platforms, granting citizen developers easier access to corporate data. Typically, apps that streamline processes and automate tasks are ideal for citizen development, leveraging technology to empower staff without coding skills.

However, promoting citizen development raises concerns about regulatory compliance and the risk of creating a ‘Shadow ICT’ environment. It’s essential for ICT departments to educate the organization on the benefits and risks associated with citizen development, aiming to mitigate the adoption of solutions without ICT department oversight.

The ATO could leverage staff expertise in business processes by providing them with an RMAD tool capable of creating solutions in a coordinated manner. This approach is likely to minimize the potential for a ‘Shadow ICT’ environment to emerge.

In the evolving landscape of mobile app development, a heightened emphasis on app security is anticipated, particularly as the demand for enterprise apps continues to surge. Gartner’s prediction that over 75% of mobile apps failed basic security tests in 2015 underscores the critical need for robust security measures. Enterprises embracing the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy face increased vulnerability to security breaches unless comprehensive mobile security testing is conducted.

To address security gaps, organizations often employ Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST). While SAST offers thorough scanning of app source code or binary, it is prone to high false positives and cannot assess apps in their real environment. DAST complements SAST by testing apps externally while they are running, yet it may miss vulnerabilities, leading to false negatives. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) is considered a more reliable approach, combining the strengths of both SAST and DAST. However, implementing an IAST solution is complex, akin to navigating a hedgehog with a snake.

Apple and Android have been proactive in enhancing the security of their mobile operating systems and encouraging app developers to follow suit. While the emergence of an entire industry of app security experts is unlikely, developers are expected to invest more in security measures moving forward. Given the criticality of safeguarding client data, organizations like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) remain vigilant and may benefit from closely monitoring advancements in app security offered by the software industry.

API Utilization Trends in API adoption are reshaping the landscape of digital connectivity. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) serve as bridges, enabling apps to access features and data from various sources. This segment has witnessed exponential growth, with most API businesses emerging within the past five years, particularly focusing on mobile API support. Forecasts predict a fourfold increase in the API management solutions market by 2020.

The proliferation of APIs is driven by several factors, including the burgeoning demand in the mobile market and the advent of IoT, which aligns with government BYOD policies. Additionally, enterprise integration and digital security are emerging as significant drivers poised to gain mainstream traction in the API economy. The adoption of DevOps practices by API-producing entities has streamlined development processes, presenting opportunities for government agencies to enhance collaboration with software developers through DevOps adoption.

API Advancement APIs play a pivotal role in facilitating the success of IoT by leveraging organizational assets and enabling their utilization, sharing, and monetization. Concepts such as openness, agility, flexibility, and scalability are transitioning from optional luxuries to indispensable requirements. However, institutional inertia and cultural barriers may pose challenges in embracing the API economy. Initiatives like the State of API Report 2016 provide valuable insights into the evolving API landscape, reflecting developers’ perspectives worldwide.

Efforts to enhance API integration within government entities are underway, exemplified by initiatives like Nexus in New Zealand, which aims to improve the government’s API infrastructure and accessibility. Overcoming cultural barriers and fostering trust in API-driven decision-making are key objectives. Similarly, recommendations from reports commissioned by government bodies, such as the Australian Government’s National ICT Australia Limited, underscore the transformative potential of API adoption in enhancing operational efficiency and agility.

Global initiatives, like those observed in the United Kingdom, highlight the growing emphasis on API adoption in government sectors. Efforts to publicly share APIs, coupled with guidance on API usage, signify a shift towards digital transformation. In Australia, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) could explore opportunities to enhance citizen development by making APIs, such as those related to the Standard Business Reporting (SBR) project, publicly accessible. Collaboration with entities like Gov.au could facilitate the sharing of APIs, mirroring initiatives seen in the UK.

Expansion of Digital Services The importance of digital services in shaping citizens’ perceptions of government is underscored by surveys indicating strong public support for improved digital offerings. Initiatives to expand digital services vary globally, reflecting diverse rates of progress across countries.