Application life-cycle management has expanded to include such things as agile development, product-line management and application performance. Yet it all begins with the tools. Fortunately, several organizations kept working on application life-cycle management platforms, giving enterprises the means to avoid falling behind changes in the industry.
Building software is always easier when you have help, as these framework providers illustrate. And once the application is built, it has to be able to connect with other systems and exchange information. These companies are leading the way to the future of application development.
In this new category, the editors of SD Times recognize that with exponential data growth comes exponential problem growth. It also creates a storage problem, a retrieval problem, and a problem in understanding it all, so organizations “doing” Big Data get actionable information that keeps them a step or two ahead of the competition. These vendors are the ones who’ve tackled the giant data problem with aplomb.
Cloud computing is getting more established year by year, and even the consumer is getting in on it. That doesn’t mean it’s stagnated though, for these organizations found new ways to get something out of it.
When data structures change, applications change. Databases and data management systems are the cornerstone of any major software project. This category acknowledges the companies that help developers create the integrations and access their applications need to receive and utilize the data.
Cycles have shrunk down to weeks instead of months, and constant progress in a product is the norm. Being able to leverage code into new features and products, and getting those deployed quickly, is critical to a business’ success. Companies have adjusted to this new reality, but not without help. These organizations provided the tools to make sure companies found the timely updates they were looking for.
Mobile software has become so ubiquitous that every company feels the pressure to get on board. These organizations responded with frameworks, platforms and apps that help companies carve out their own niche on smartphones and tablets.
The past few years were not good for data security, as numerous stories of hacks and exploits kept catching the attention of the media. But these organizations didn’t throw in the towel; they kept working on platforms and practices to fight back against bugs and vulnerabilities.
Expectations for software performance are ratcheting up higher and higher, thanks to the explosion of consumer applications on mobile devices, and it begins with the user experience. If users have to wait too long for an app to load, or if feature sets in their favorite apps are compromised by device limitations, you’ve lost. The following companies put the user first, creating software development tools and technologies to engage users and keep them coming back.
The most important aspect of the SD Times 100 is leadership. Influencers stand out from other organizations and projects by directing and defining the trends of the industry, not just in excelling at what they do. This list contains those who changed the way software is made, be it in platforms, methodologies or standards.
