AT&T Introduces New API Platform, Mobility Solutions for the Enterprise

By Ariel Jones

To kick off the 2012 AT&T Developer Summit, AT&T announced a new app development platform, as well as a partnership with Axeda that will extend AT&T’s M2M application development capabilities.

AT&T Mobile Application Management, powered by Apperian's Enterprise App Services Environment, gives businesses access to a cloud-based service where developers can find tools to create, distribute, manage, and analyze secure applications.

A company's IT developers can grant employees access to apps located in their customized app catalog (branded with the company’s logo and colors). The new solution also provides for increased control over how corporate apps are deployed on personal devices - letting IT personnel remove sensitive data from lost or stolen mobile devices, as well as delivering new apps and content.

The solution also comes equipped with an option Software Developer Kit and APIs that enable developers to add new features to apps (such as authentication, authorization, reporting, and tracking) and to manage and deploy apps across a company's mobile workforce.

Extending M2M Services with Axeda Application Development Platform

AT&T also revealed their reseller agreement with Axeda, in a response to the increasing interest in M2M application development. The multi-year agreement will allow AT&T customers to access AT&T's application development and managed services offerings.

The new AT&T integrated platform features the Axeda platform (which includes a framework to integrate M2M data with ERP/CRM business systems), the Axeda Connected Product Management Applications catalog, and cloud services ford deploying and scaling applications.

The partnership and its offerings are designed to eliminate the need for hardware and infrastructure changes, as well as increase employee productivity, according to Chris Hill, Vice President of AT&T's Advanced Mobility Solutions division.

"AT&T will be the only carrier to provide businesses with network connectivity and Axeda's application development platform along with AT&T professional services to help rabidly design, build, and manage M2M applications," stated Hill. "With M2M applications, businesses can easily connect to products and assets to collect and process data, helping to improve their business operations, increase customer satisfaction, and drive new lines of revenue."