HP Unveils Software to Help Mobile App Developers

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) recently announced the release of several new software solutions to help mobile app developers reduce their time to market and deliver quality applications to their customers.

The solutions utilize big data analytics, application lifecycle management, IT operations management and security solutions, and are expected to help mobile app developers become more efficient in the creation and management of mobile applications.

HP said the quality of mobile apps has become increasingly important, as these programs are often a customer’s first line of contact with a brand. Without the tools to deliver apps that meet customers’ high expectations, app developers have the potential to damage perception of their overall brand through the delivery of a sub-par product. The challenge of delivering quality applications is made more difficult by the number of devices each app needs to be tested on, as well as the proliferation of networks, operating systems and platforms in the market.

“As businesses get serious about their mobile application strategy, they realize that point solutions fall short in helping them to quickly create and deliver amazing mobile experiences that are secure, high-performing and beautiful,” said Robert Youngjohns, executive vice president and general manager of HP Software, in a statement. “HP is uniquely positioned to lead in the mobile market by bringing together our proven assets in application development, operations management, security, and big data to help businesses deliver winning mobile apps that delight customers and positively impact their brand, revenue, and market share.”

Here is a breakdown of the new solutions being offered to developers, straight from the press release:

• With the HP App Pulse Mobile solution, users can constantly monitor and analyze the performance, stability and resource usage on their mobile apps. The tool also includes a “FunDex” score that gives developers an overhead view of problems affecting user experience so they can fix the cause of each issue.
• With the latest version of HP Agile project management software, developers are expected to be able to help mobile teams to adopt Agile practices and speed production time for mobile apps. New additions include HP Agile Manager, which supports real-time integration with the updated version of HP’s Application Lifecycle Management software, a program that promises to simplify defect and test management across fast-moving mobile development and test teams.
• Additional updates to HP’s mobile testing software will allow customers to automate performance and function testing while managing their mobile test labs. The software includes new versions of HP Mobile Center, HP Network Virtualization and HP Service Virtualization, all of which are expected to play a part in simplifying the app development process.
• New performance engineering solutions will help teams scale their mobile apps to accommodate peak user loads. Solutions include direct integration of HP Loadrunner and HP Performance Center with HP Mobile Center as well as updates to StormRunner Load for improved performance analytics.
• The latest version of HP Application Lifecycle Management solutions includes full integration with the HP Fortify application development suite to assess and test security throughout the development lifecycle.

All of HP’s mobile development solutions are available now. Interested users can also demo AppPulse Mobile for free before they purchase a full license.