Better for businesses: Third-party or internal app store?

Much of the attention swirling around enterprise mobility lately has been centered on the role mobile applications now play in the daily lives of professionals. Whether accessed on a tablet computer or a smartphone, apps provide the gateway needed for end users to access and leverage enterprise data.

One topic that has been hotly debated is the merits of internal and third-party application stores, and which is better for businesses. Each features its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's up to decision-makers to choose the right one.

With internal stores, the company is able to tightly control which apps employees have access to and download. This is beneficial from both a security and productivity perspective, as companies can be assured employees are only downloading trusted apps that help them get work done.

On the other hand, relying on third-party storefronts -- such as the Google Play market and the Apple® App Store -- gives end users the freedom that many seek. By allowing them to choose which apps are best, employees may be more satisfied with their jobs and apt to use the technology.