Most enterprises recognize the value of having a mobile workforce by implementing mobile-first strategies and BYOD policies. However, some enterprises have had difficulties in the implementation of their mobility initiatives with most citing time, resources and a lack of competencies as top reasons why they have failed to implement a coherent mobility strategy for their businesses.

1)    Difficulty in Integrating ERPs with Mobile Apps

Enterprises use ERPs to support the multitude of business functions. An effective mobility strategy will only succeed when the mobile applications are integrated with your company’s ERPs. A middleware is needed for your mobile apps to communicate to your ERP systems. While most native app developers may be experienced in building mobile applications, they often lack expertise in making sure your data can be synchronized with your mobile apps.

2)    Number of Mobile Applications Needed in an Enterprise

An enterprise has a significant number of core business processes in its day-to-day operations. An effective mobile strategy for a foodstuff manufacturer and distributor would require a number of apps that can facilitate functions such as stock-picking, fleet management and sales ordering.  The amount of time needed to develop one can take up to an average of 3 to 6 months and if other applications were to be mobilized, the amount of resources required would be considerable. An approach that can allow your company to implement multiple applications with minimal integration issues is required for the strategy to be effective and quickly implemented.

3)    Risks of Leveraging Outside Resources

By the end of 2017, market demand for mobile app development services will grow at least five times faster than internal IT organizations’ capacity to deliver them, according to Gartner, Inc. (2015) This means companies will have to engage the services of external IT resources given the lack of internal competencies. It makes sense to adopt a mixed source approach when developing mobile apps but enterprises also run the risk of being held “ransom” by outsourced relationships and enterprises have to remain the driver in ensuring the mobile apps are adopted by its employees and critical business functions can run more efficiently than before implementation of the apps.

Enterprises need to consider adopting the use of mobile app development platforms to make sure their mobile strategies can be cost and time effective while ensuring the internal team can make critical decisions about the way the mobile apps should work for them.