AppGallery: Zebra's App Store for Partners

If you've got a smartphone, chances are you've used Apple's App Store or Google Play and to downloaded some apps, and probably more than a few times. You might also have noticed that installed apps periodically get updated—sometimes automatically, sometimes with your approval—and afterward usually work better or have some new features added in.

Wouldn't it be great if the apps you build for your company's enterprise devices could be deployed and maintained in the same way? The good news is that they can if your company is using Android devices from Zebra Technologies.

On May 4, Zebra launched AppGallery, an all-new marketplace for enterprise mobile apps that companies can use to deploy and update their own apps and acquire new ones from other companies and ISVs. The site makes it easy to find Android apps written specifically for vertical industries, including healthcare, education, retail, logistics, manufacturing, public safety and many more.

The AppGallery service is free of charge to Zebra partners and ISVs and includes basic usability and security testing. All apps are scanned for malware and other security threats through a partnership between Zebra and an industry-leading security tools provider. Two additional certification levels are available for a fee. Apps can be submitted for testing against a particular Zebra mobile device to earn "Compatible" status. Developers also can opt for the highest-level "Validated" status, under which Compatible apps are tested for all functions and applicable usage scenarios such as scanning and roaming.

The AppGallery will support apps written for Android Jellybean and KitKat running on Zebra's TC55, TC70, TC75, MC32, MC40, and MC67 mobile computing devices. Available now at appgallery.zebra.com, the free service already includes a large repository of vertical-market apps written by Zebra partners and independent software vendors that are searchable by industry, compatible device or app type. The system also provides a private area that allows partners to limit application access and distribution of their apps to company employees. A notification system keeps app users informed of updates. App push, payment and licensing capabilities are planned for later this year.