App Platform Lifecycle

App Design – The design process includes creative, functional, interaction, graphical and technical aspects resulting in an abstracted App design with graphical layout components, navigation and behaviors that is independent of the chosen targeted deployment environments.

The App Lifecycle Platform’s scripting language is straightforward, and does not require prior knowledge of incumbent mobile SDKs from Apple, Google, RIM etc. The Programming experience is comparable to using JavaScript and App developers can can switch to developing Apps almost overnight.

App Development – Apps are constructed by mapping the design components and behavior to pre-built and tested, hardened components built natively for each environment. App development also includes Integration with other IT systems, required platform and component enhancements, and the building of prototypes.

The M2Active Development environment is based on Eclipse and is supported on Windows, iMac and Unix developer workstations. In their day-to-day design and development work, M2Active developers will have access to the online App Lifecycle Platform Support Portal where they can find detailed information on how to use the hardened components and Platform APIs. In addition, they can share experiences with other developers via the Portal’s Forums. New releases of the App Lifecycle Platform are announced on the Portal and can be downloaded directly to the developer’s workstation.

The App Platform development environment offers a range of tools to facilitate the development process including source code editors and emulators. We expect to introduce additional tools in the near future, including debuggers, libraries and design studios.

App Validation – Apps need to be developed only once. Service2Media recommends testing each App on real devices of each of the target mobile OSs. We can provide advice in defining practical device reference sets that will give adequate coverage for the App’s target market and audience.

App Store Distribution – Our App Platform comes with a build environment for creating mobile App executable packages, combining the App scripts with each of the applicable M2Active Runtimes. The resulting packages can subsequently be tested or deployed via the App Stores, depending on the phase of the App lifecycle.

Since each of the M2Active Runtimes is developed in the applicable native SDKs, they are compliant with all of the technical submission criteria of the App Stores. The submission process is largely a manual process that varies in rigidity and duration between Stores. Service2Media has vast experience with the submission process and provides services to assist customers in completing this phase, enabling rapid App deployment.

Server side Hosting –If your Apps make use of our Cloud APIs, we provide all the necessary hosting services to ensure the flawless day-to-day operation of the App. Depending on the business-critical nature of the App, we are able to offer and guarantee appropriate service levels for uptime, response time and scalability of our Cloud Services. Service2Media has long-standing relationships with professional hosting partners that are able to work on a global scale.

App Enhancement – App deployment is not the final stage of the lifecycle. The App Lifecycle Platform is also designed to facilitate App Evolution. Service2Media regularly publishes new releases, supporting new or enhanced APIs and UI Components. In addition, a new Platform release may introduce support for new Mobile OSs or upgrades of existing OSs, thus increasing the reach of your Apps.

App Statistics – provide valuable input and guidance for making App improvement decisions during the Evolution phase. M2Stats, Service2Media’s optional Cloud Service, provides valuable insights on App distribution, uptake and usage to make the right decisions in this phase.