The document provides a checklist for evaluating mobile application platforms, comparing IBM MobileFirst Platform against other options. The checklist covers key capabilities such as development frameworks, backend integration, testing, lifecycle support, end user engagement, security features, and vendor support. IBM MobileFirst Platform supports open standards, common infrastructure for native and hybrid apps, backend integration, automated testing, full mobile app lifecycles, push notifications, security features, and proven client deployments. The checklist can help identify required platform capabilities and compare options.

1. Buyer’s Checklist: Mobile Application Platforms
You can use this checklist in two ways:
1. To help identify the key platform capabilities you require to be able to extend your enterprise to mobile devices.
2. To easily compare the key capabilities of IBM MobileFirst Platform against other options under consideration.
Category Requirement /Capability
IBM
MobileFirst
Platform
Option
2
Option
3 DIY
Open
Open standards-based development framework 
No vendor lock-in or steep development on-ramp due to proprietary software 
3rd-party and open source support 
Flexibility
and Choice
Common infrastructure for native, hybrid and web development 
Ability to mix native and web screen in the same application 
Support for SMS and JavaME for feature phones 
Flexible architecture to extend existing infrastructure (reuse authentication frame-work,
connect to existing back-end) 
Back-end
Integration
Single point of integration with enterprise data 
Automated services discovery and integration code generation 
Platform transforms enterprise data into mobile-friendly, JSON format 
On-device synchronizable storage 
Testing
Natural language test scripts that you define once and then run over and over again 
End-to-end testing capability—not just at device level but back to the gateway 
Simplicity
and
Productivity
Full mobile lifecycle support (Build/Connect/Secure/Test/Deploy/Run/Manage) 
Software evaluation with no time limit 
WYSIWYG environment (UI creation and debugging) 
Patterns / templates and reusable components creation and reuse 
Fast and efficient new mobileOS update support 
Remote builds and full DevOps integration 
Operational analytics dashboard (health and crash reporting) 
App store for testing and distributing apps privately 
End User
Engagement
Unified push notifications including two-way SMS 
Geolocation services for context aware applications 
Globalization / Internationalization 
Seamless app experience across intermittent network connections 
Single app for different form factors (tablets and smartphones) 
Support for indoor micro-location technologies 
Device SSO and certificates 
Continued on page 2

2. Buyer’s Checklist: Mobile Application Platforms
Category Requirement /Capability
IBM
MobileFirst
Platform
Option
2
Option
3 DIY
Advanced &
Integrated
Security
User/device/application management console (user authentication, application
authenticity, device authorization) 
SMS and push notification management console 
On-device encrypted storage 
Off-line authentication 
App version control management (direct update, app stores and disablement) 
Open and flexible authentication integration framework 
Enterprise SSO integration 
In-app Web resources obfuscation and encryption 
App authenticity checks 
Jailbreak and malware detection integration 
FIPS 140-2 security for on-device and in-transit data 
Strategic
Vendor
Support
Successful client deployments across every major industry/sector 
Accelerated time-to-market: Mobile Strategy Accelerator 
Design and implementation services 
Extensive training courses 
Worldwide support team and engaged developer community 
Complete technology portfolio 
Flexible financing options 
Vendor viability: market presence, strategic commitment and offering
completeness 
For more information
To learn more about IBM MobileFirst Platform assets for mobile
application development, please contact your IBM marketing representative
or IBM Business Partner, or visit the following website:
http://www.ibm.com/mobilefirst/us/en/downloads/#/App-development
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