UrbanCode Acquisition by IBM Accelerates Mobile and Cloud Delivery

UrbanCode Inc. (a provider of automated software delivery) has been acquired by IBM in a move that will allow businesses to release and update mobile, social, big data and cloud applications by providing the appropriate support.

Cleveland, Ohio-based UrbanCode is able to lower the cycle time (from months to minutes) for new updates or applications going into market, and this is done through the use of technology. Cost and risk will both also be reduced, and the varying needs of the customer will also be taken into consideration; this will mean that a client will be able to quickly take feedback on board and enhance the general quality of the applications and services.

The software from UrbanCode comes as a next logical step in IBM's broadening of its DevOps strategy, and is used to quicken the whole software development process for businesses and make it easier to work with. The improvements also mean that IBM SmartCloud and IBM MobileFirst will simplify and speed the delivery of software via those channels to customers.

As an example, the merging of UrbanCode software and IBM Worklight technology will allow businesses to create and distribute, within a matter of hours, applications suitable for a range of mobile devices; this contrasts with the former multi-day timeline. Traditional applications can also be worked with in terms of the UrbanCode solution, and middleware, databases and business intelligence are a part of this.

It has been suggested, through an IBM Institute for Business Value study, that around 70 percent of companies that utilize such software development for competitive advantage will perform better in terms of profitability, compared to their peers. Businesses will be increasingly collaborative, intuitive and have a continual approach to development, testing and delivery, and this will come about as a result of the growing significance of innovative software.

Over half of the respondents in the survey concurred that what is most crucial to competitive advantage is effective software development. However, only a quarter of companies think they have effective methods. The capabilities of UrbanCode will mean that the execution gap can be fixed in conjunction with the ability to speed the delivery of software.

UrbanCode clients will continue to be supported by IBM, and they will be able to improve their technologies and take advantage of the expansive IBM portfolio. (CY) Link