Have a look at this article

http://www.iphonedsi.fr/deploiement-dapplicatio…

Find a how-to article at : http://www.iphonedsi.fr/deploiement-dapplicatio…

In addition to the issues you raised, there are numerous other challenges in the enterprise environment.

1. Required Updates. You mention the issue of “enforcing” or “guaranteeing” employees install the application. But as important, administrators want to make sure that users install the updates. Unlike the consumer app store updates may not be “optional” in the enterprise An update may be required due to database changes, compliance issues, and other reasons. The system must be designed to enforce updates from within the app.

2. Granular Control over Distribution and Authorization. You point out that it's up to the enterprise to “control” the distribution of apps, and that once they are “in the wild” anyone could install and run the app. The requirement here is to enable granular control: the ability to report, track, and then disable the app (and it's access to data) based on a user- or device- level authentication. Another wrinkle is when an authorized user (i.e., a valid employee) is no longer in a “group” with access to the app; there needs to be a kind and gentle way to disable here as well.

3. User Catalog of Apps. Apple's new tools don't provide any “catalog” showing what apps and employee is either required or allowed to download and run. This type of “catalog” needs to look and feel like the App Store, but be controlled by the administrators and subject to the rules of authentication from the LDAP or Active Directory system.

There are several approaches to solving these issues, and you mention several device management vendors who are using a “MDM” (device management) approach.

Apperian is launching “EASE” (Enterprise App Services Environment”) which provides specific solutions for enterprise developers looking for help in creating, deploying and managing apps. More information is available at the http://www.appearian.com/ease website.

I am hopeful that more enterprises will develop apps for iPhone and other platforms that will enrich the lives of their employees, and we at Apperian are working with our partners to make this easier.