Accelerating mobile app development with MBaaS

Afkham AzeezDirector, Architecture

WSO2 Inc.

Credits: http://theemf.org/2013/09/10/enterprise-mobility-is-no-game/

Enterprise Mobility Challenges

• Backend integration• Channel security• Client side development• Fast delivery of apps

What is MBaaS?

• A model for providing web and mobile app developers with a way to link their applications to backend cloud storage while also providing features such as user management, push notifications, and integration with social networking services.

• These services are provided via the use of custom SDKs and APIs.

Why MBaaS?

• Reduce the time and complexity required to build mobile applications

• Allow developers to focus on core features instead of low-level tasks • virtual machine configuration • developing common functionality like user authentication

or notifications

When do you need an MBaaS?

• Many apps• Many developers• Many in-house integrations• Many backend systems• Many third party integration• Multiple mobile platforms• Multiple versions

Core components of an MBaaS• Cloud-based storage for mobile data• Cloud caching• Ability to automatic generate REST-based interfaces to read and

write data • Internet optimized data access• User & security management• SSO• Usage analytics• Location service• Specialized integration with enterprise software

MBaaS in a nutshell

AppSDK

MBaaS

Service 1

Service 2

Service N

…

Afkham Azeez

Source: http://devcenter.kinvey.com/android/samples/scrumptious

APNS

MBaaS

Push Notifications

• A style of Internet-based communication where the request for a given transaction is initiated by the publisher or central server

• Apple Push Notifications (APNS)• Android Push Notifications (Google Cloud Messaging

for Android)• Blackberry Push Notifications• Microsoft Push Notifications

Types of MBaaS

• Consumer MBaaS• Enterprise MBaaS

Enterprise vs. ConsumerEnterprise Consumer

Identity Providers Active Directory, IBM Data Power, Salesforce.com

Twitter, Facebook

Identity Protocols SAML, WS-Trust, WS-Federation, Passive Profile, OAuth

OAuth, OpenID

Mobile Ops Management MDM, MAM integration No MDM, MAM integrationCompliance PCI, HIPAA, Compliance APIs No level of complianceCloud Topology Public, Private, Hybrid clouds Mostly public cloudEnvironments Dev, QA, Production Single environmentData sources Business data sources Social, publicTenancy Enterprises which are building

multiple apps for 100s or 1000s of users

Developers building one app for multiple users

Pricing Model Based on number of users Based on number of API calls

Key Players

Enterprise Consumer

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MBaaS SDK

• Static SDK• Dynamic SDK• Provides a consistent developer experience irrespective of

platform• Java/JavaScript etc.• Handles the complexities of the transport protocol• Similar to service stubs• Can include MAM features

MBaaS vs. BaaS

• Not much different• BaaS synonymously used for MBaaS• Also written as (M/m)BaaS• Arguably MBaaS is more optimized towards mobile

app development• MBaaS == BaaS == PaaS?

Developer Experience without MBaaS

Developer experience with MBaaS

MBaaS Challenges

• Scalability• Availability• Extensibility

How to build an MBaaS using WSO2

Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Mobile Apps

Connectors

Service Cartridges

SDK

MBaaS & MEAP

MBaaS+

API Management vs. MBaaS

• (M)BaaS – Mobile add on to API Management• Mobile optimized• Mobile SDK

Governance and MBaaS

• API call rate limiting• Policy enforcement

Corporate data cannot be accessed from certain NWs or geographic locations

• SLA monitoring

Conclusion

• The need for mobile apps is exponentially growing• Mobile app developers need to fully concentrate on

(mobile) app development• High scalability, availability, extensibility, security are core

requirements• MBaaS, BaaS, PaaS -> same thing?• MBaaS is about the developer experience• Final thought; IoT & BaaS

Reference

• http://www.kidozen.com/enterprise-vs-consumer-mbaas/

• http://servicesangle.com/blog/2012/10/23/mobile-backend-as-a-service-mbaas-all-hype-or-here-to-stay/

• https://cloud.google.com/developers/articles/mobile-backend-starter