IBM has recently announced it will work with a software development company in order to make it easier for its clients to make their own web and mobile apps.
V3.co.uk reports that the software company Ionic has just partnered with the computer giant to make app development more accessible to businesses that may not have the technical expertise to create apps themselves. IBM claims that once developed, this software will enable companies to create apps within minutes.
This is not the first time that IBM has worked on such software. Most notably, IBM worked with Apple to create business-related apps for iPhones and iPads using a software called the IBM MobileFirst Platform.
This time, IBM will concentrate on designing the software in order to make it accessible for Apple and non-Apple products alike.
“When combined with the IBM MobileFirst Platform, organisations gain a mobile app development and enterprise integration solution with the ability to reduce complexity and tap into powerful analytics, management and security capabilities,” IBM said in a statement.
Ionic is enthusiastic about the deal, believing that the customers of both companies will benefit.
“Teaming with IBM benefits our customers by expanding engagement with enterprise business users who don’t need a technical background to access the integration and quality assurance capabilities necessary to develop high-quality apps,” said Max Lynch, the Co-Founder and CEO of Ionic. “With close to one million developers using Ionic, we have a rapidly expanding base of users who understand the value of open standards to increase velocity around mobile innovation.”
IBM believes that entrepreneurial use and development of apps by people with little-to-no technical training is a natural next step in software development, especially regarding mobile apps. As smartphone use continues to rise — it is estimated that smartphone use is growing at an annual rate of 42% around the world — IBM and other technology companies are scurrying to find newer and better ways to make app development more attainable.
“IBM and Ionic are helping organisations increase revenues and employee productivity by enabling them to overcome challenges that could hamstring their mobile strategies, such as large mobile app backlogs and lack of skills,” said Angel Diaz, IBM Vice President for Cloud Architecture and Technology.