Application Service: Mobile Apps
Author: Ronald Fung
Creation Date: May 9, 2023
Next Modified Date: May 9, 2024
A. Introduction
Azure Mobile Apps (also known as the Microsoft Data sync Framework) gives enterprise developers and system integrators a mobile-application development platform that’s highly scalable and globally available. The framework provides your mobile app with:
Authentication
Data query
Offline data synchronization
Azure Mobile Apps is designed to work with Azure App Service. Since it’s based on ASP.NET 6, it can also be run as a container in Azure Container Apps or Azure Kubernetes Service.
B. How is it used at Seagen
As a biopharma research company using Microsoft Azure, you can use Azure App Service Mobile Apps to build and deploy mobile apps for your employees and customers. Here are some ways you can use Azure App Service Mobile Apps:
Build cross-platform apps: Azure App Service Mobile Apps allows you to build cross-platform mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows using popular frameworks such as Xamarin, React Native, and Cordova. This helps you to reach a wider audience with your mobile apps.
Secure your mobile apps: Azure App Service Mobile Apps provides built-in security features such as authentication and authorization, HTTPS support, and device registration. This helps to ensure that your mobile apps are secure and protected from unauthorized access.
Scale your mobile apps: Azure App Service Mobile Apps provides automatic scaling capabilities that allow you to scale your mobile apps up or down based on demand. This helps to ensure that resources are used efficiently and costs are kept under control.
Integrate with other Azure services: Azure App Service Mobile Apps can be integrated with other Azure services such as Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, and Azure Event Grid. This allows you to easily integrate your mobile apps with other Azure services and applications.
Monitor app performance: Azure App Service Mobile Apps provides monitoring and logging capabilities that allow you to track app performance and identify any issues. You can use Azure Monitor or Application Insights to monitor app performance and configure alerts for any performance issues.
Overall, Azure App Service Mobile Apps can help your biopharma research company build and deploy cross-platform mobile apps for your employees and customers. With built-in security features, automatic scaling capabilities, and the ability to integrate with other Azure services, Azure App Service Mobile Apps can help you streamline your mobile app development and improve your overall agility and efficiency.
C. Features
The following features are important to cloud-enabled mobile development:
Authentication and authorization: Use Azure Mobile Apps to sign-in users using social and enterprise provides. Azure App Service supports Azure Active Directory, Facebook™, Google®, Microsoft, Twitter®, and OpenID Connect®. Azure Mobile Apps supports any authentication scheme that is supported by ASP.NET Core.Data access: Azure Mobile Apps provides a mobile-friendly OData v4 data source that’s linked to a compatible database via Entity Framework Core. Any compatible database can be used including Azure SQL, Azure Cosmos DB, or an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server.Offline sync: Build robust and responsive mobile applications that operate with an offline dataset. You can sync this dataset automatically with service, and handle conflicts with ease.Client SDKs: There’s a complete set of client SDKs that cover cross-platform development (.NET, and Apache Cordova™). Each client SDK is available with an MIT license and is open-source.
D. Where implemented
E. How it is tested
Testing Azure Application Service: Mobile Apps involves ensuring that the mobile app is functioning correctly, securely, and meeting the needs of all stakeholders involved in the project. Here are some steps to follow to test Azure Application Service: Mobile Apps:
Define the scope and requirements: Define the scope of the project and the requirements of all stakeholders involved in the project. This will help ensure that the mobile app is designed to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Create test plans: Develop test plans that cover all aspects of the mobile app functionality, including input validation, authentication and authorization, error handling, and performance testing. The test plans should be designed to meet the needs of the organization, including scalability and resilience.
Conduct unit testing: Test the mobile app’s individual features and modules to ensure that they are functioning correctly. This may involve using tools like Xamarin Test Cloud or Appium for automated testing.
Conduct integration testing: Test the mobile app in an integrated environment to ensure that it works correctly with other systems and applications. This may involve testing the mobile app with different operating systems, browsers, and devices.
Conduct user acceptance testing: Test the mobile app with end-users to ensure that it meets their needs and is easy to use. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather feedback from users.
Automate testing: Automate testing of the mobile app to ensure that it is functioning correctly and meeting the needs of all stakeholders. This may involve using tools like Azure DevOps to set up automated testing pipelines.
Monitor performance: Monitor the performance of the mobile app in production to ensure that it is meeting the needs of all stakeholders. This may involve setting up monitoring tools, such as Azure Application Insights, to track mobile app usage and identify performance issues.
Address issues: Address any issues that are identified during testing and make necessary changes to ensure that the mobile app is functioning correctly and meeting the needs of all stakeholders.
By following these steps, you can ensure that Azure Application Service: Mobile Apps is tested thoroughly and meets the needs of all stakeholders involved in the project. This can help improve the quality of the mobile app and ensure that it functions correctly in a production environment.
F. 2023 Roadmap
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G. 2024 Roadmap
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H. Known Issues
There are several known issues that can impact Azure Application Service: Mobile Apps. Here are some of the most common issues to be aware of:
Performance issues: Performance is a critical concern when it comes to mobile apps. If the app is not performing well, it can impact the user experience and cause delays in processing requests. This can impact the overall performance of the application.
Security issues: Security is another critical concern when it comes to mobile apps. If the app is not properly secured, it may be vulnerable to attacks or data breaches. This can impact the confidentiality and integrity of the data being transmitted through the app.
Compatibility issues: Compatibility issues can arise when different teams are using different tools or technologies. This can cause issues when integrating the mobile app with other systems and applications. It is important to ensure that all stakeholders are using compatible tools and technologies to avoid compatibility issues.
Integration issues: Integration issues can arise when integrating the mobile app with other systems and applications. It is important to ensure that the mobile app is designed to work seamlessly with other systems and applications to avoid integration issues.
Scalability issues: Scalability is an important concern when it comes to mobile apps. If the mobile app is not designed to scale, it may not be able to handle the increased traffic and user demands that come with organizational growth.
Overall, Azure Application Service: Mobile Apps requires careful planning and management to ensure that the mobile app is functioning correctly and meeting the needs of all stakeholders involved in the project. By being aware of these known issues and taking steps to address them, you can improve the quality of the mobile app and ensure the success of your project.
[x] Reviewed by Enterprise Architecture
[x] Reviewed by Application Development
[x] Reviewed by Data Architecture