Cloud Mobile for Cloud Application

Mobile user interface for a SaaS or Cloud-hosted application.

Pattern Definition

Problem How do I add a mobile user interface to a SaaS or Cloud-hosted application?
Context This pattern is applicable when there is a desire to add a mobile user interface to a SaaS or Cloud-hosted application. The mobile backend is Cloud-based as well as the application.
Forces
  • The mobile user interface exposes functionality that is available in the SaaS or Cloud-hosted application.
  • Interactions with the Cloud-based application are not complex.
  • A Cloud-based mobile backend is desirable.
Solution This mobility pattern employs a Mobile Platform only in the Cloud. This provides the quickest way to create a mobile user interface for a SaaS or Cloud-hosted application.
ConsequencesPros:
  • Provides the quickest approach to add a mobile user interface.
  • Only one Mobile Platform to manage.
Cons:
  • Not a good solution for composite applications.

Interaction View

Direct Connect

Mobile user interface with mobile backend connecting directly to the Cloud-based application. 

Interaction

Interaction initiated by mobile device:

  1. The mobile device uses the Mobile platform Client SDK to call the mobile backend provided by the Mobile platform.
  2. The Mobile platform calls the Cloud-based application. The Cloud-based application could be SaaS, or an application running on PaaS or IaaS.

Interaction initiated by Cloud-based application:

  1. The Cloud-based application calls the Mobile platform to send a notification to a mobile device.
  2. The Mobile platform routes the notification to the appropriate mobile devices.

Notes

  1. The Cloud-based application must provide an interface that is readily accessible from the Mobile platform (e.g. REST).
  2. To send a notification, the Cloud-based application must call the REST API on the Mobile platform.

Application Integration Platform

Mobile user interface with mobile backend connecting to the Cloud-based application via the Application Integration Platform. 

Interaction

Interaction initiated by mobile device:

  1. The mobile device uses the Mobile platform Client SDK to call the mobile backend provided by the Mobile platform.
  2. The Mobile platform calls the application Integration platform.
  3. The application Integration platform calls the Cloud-based application via an adapter. The Cloud-based application could be SaaS, or an application running on PaaS or IaaS.

Interaction initiated by Cloud-based application:

  1. The Cloud-based application calls the application Integration platform via an adapter.
  2. The application Integration platform calls the Mobile platform to send a notification to a mobile device.
  3. The Mobile platform routes the notification to the appropriate mobile devices.

Notes

  1. The application Integration platform provides pre-built adapters to many Cloud-based applications. Custom adapters can also be created if needed.