Brief: Mobile Middleware — Right Or Wrong?

Mobile apps commonly access data stored in corporate systems of record; unfortunately, these systems were not architected for the demands of mobile clients. This creates a need for an interface layer between mobile front-ends and enterprise back-ends. There are three ways to create this layer: packaged on-premises mobile middleware, a cloud connectivity service (e.g., back-end-as-a-service), or a best-of-breed application programming interface (API) strategy. Complementing a companion brief analyzing the blurring boundaries between these approaches, this brief looks more tactically at mobile middleware options, detailing the benefits, the major vendors, and decision criteria.