Current Trends in Technology and Science ISSN: 2279- 0535. Volume: 3, Issue: 3(Apr-May 2014) Copyright © 2014 CTTS.IN, All right reserved 192 Mobile Application Development Framework: Exploring and Discussion Dr Adnan Mustafa AlBar Assistant Professor,Information Systems Department, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ambar@kau.edu.sa Abstract —Mobile computing technology allows people to access data and information from where ever they are through a variety of devices. Mobile devices are now able to operate complicated applications from different sectors/domains that could run only in servers. Mobile devices are enabling organizations to perform business more effectively. Mobile applications are increasingly becoming a main concern across all business sectors as companies look to extend their services to people that is using smartphones. They can be used to support e-commerce with customers and suppliers, and to conduct e-business within and across organizational boundaries. These trends make it possible to increase business agility, individual productivity and job satisfaction by release people to choose the best time, place and device to get their work done. In this paper we will introduce the enterprise business applications and how it moved towards mobility. We take a look on mobile applications development and enterprise mobile applications framework and models. In addition, we will investigate about the architecture of enterprise mobile applications and the importance of securing the mobile applications. Keyword — Mobile applications, Application Development, Development Framework, Enterprise Mobile Applications 1. INTRODUCTION Whether it is the domain of personal life, professional work or collective society, everyone and everything is dominated by Mobile technology; it has crept in our lives in the form of computers, cell phones, desktops, laptops, notebook computers, palmtops, PDAs, GPS, smart phones, pagers and many more. In the fast paced world of today, enterprises cannot compete without mobile technology; applications specifically developed for enterprises are largely being used for ease of communication, real-time data and information access, better responsiveness and low costs. Some of the major advantages of using enterprise mobile application development framework are enhancement in productivity, cost cuts, make earnings, shorter development cycles and problem solving among others [1]. However, not all enterprise mobile applications are equally beneficial; it is important to target the right application development to yield maximum benefit in the form of high pay off. One way of enhancing the application experience of enterprise employees is to allow the trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) where the employees receive a set budget and have to manage their own device within it; organization can provide them with their preferred applications for specific functions, but every person can use specialized applications based on their needs [2]. The diversity that comes with this trend is hard to manage and so are the security concerns that arise. This trend is also commonly known as employee-liable devices [3]. As the variety of applications for each instance of business operation is multiplying manifold, it is hard to assess the mobile applications that are being supported on company‟s expense. Also if the organization decides to offer its licensed applications to its employees, how will they manage installing the same application on diverse devices? If the same development platform is used, it will be easier to share data among applications and devices [3]. The demand curve for enterprise mobility is moving with the pull trend because the end users have realized the great utility of these applications and are asking for more convenience [4]. 2. ENTERPRISE BUSINESS APPLICATIONS Enterprises are largely using software applications to make their routine tasks easier. Developers have also targeted this niche area and developed software applications that are specific to business users. In the past, the IT developers used to create applications and when people found them useful, the applications gained popularity. The trend has changed tremendously now; today, the demand is being „pulled‟ from the consumer end and they are asking for applications related to specific functions. Enterprise business application can be understood as computer program(s) or computer software(s) that intend to