You may already have a mobile strategy in place in your organization, or perhaps you are planning one. Whatever the case, and whether your organization is creating customized apps or implementing third-party apps, you need to create a mobile strategy that specifically includes applications.

After all, it’s one area that’s constantly growing and changing, and can have a major impact on the IT mobile infrastructure. And, as Bring-Your-Own-Device becomes more popular, more mobile users will be accessing mobile apps.

Consider these best practices for crafting a mobile policy that includes applications.

First and foremost, analyze the current usage and needs of mobile users. Talk to business users of all levels. Don’t just look at it from an IT perspective. Find out what types of mobile apps – and mobile devices --  they currently use and what they want or plan to use.

Once you’ve done an analysis, ensure your mobile apps account for the advantages and limitations of mobile devices. Not all devices are the same, and some apps may work better than others.

Determine the type of coverage you have, and if apps -- or their associated data --  need to be available when users are out of range. This can be a significant issue if employees are on the road and dependent on their mobile device, only to find the applications and data are not readily available. Are there limitations to where and when they can access information?

Decide what will be allowed and supported with applications. Will you allow all third-party apps or only those pushed to smartphones by the IT department? Must all apps be work-related or, if in the case of BYOD, can the user have any apps they want on their phone?

Determine what’s more critical to your business. Whether it be faster access to data through mobile apps, a rich user experience, or efficient productivity apps, these issues must be addressed.  

In a recent IDG quick poll study, 75% of respondents said that viewing Office documents on their mobile device was critical to maximizing productivity, while 57% said editing Office docs on a mobile device was critical to productivity.

Last, but certainly not least, align your mobile application strategy with your security policy. Whether apps are third party or not, they must be secure.

Consider these best practices when you create your mobile application policy to ensure a more efficient, productive mobile organization with a competitive edge. 

For more on this topic, check out the Mobility Knowledge Vault.

What are your best practices for a mobile apps strategy?