HTML5 surges in mobile development as Silverlight fades

Coding for mobile programs is growing more essential to business operations as employees increasingly bring in smartphones and tablets on a daily basis. HTML5 has emerged as one of the most popular languages used for application development on these devices, and organizations are using the system more frequently. With the impending discontinuation of Microsoft Silverlight, HTML5 serves as a potential replacement for companies looking for a viable change. As mobile devices become more prominent in the workplace, decision-makers must determine if HTML5 will benefit their software development.

Programming languages are often chosen for the various functions they can offer to software being used throughout an organization in work-related tasks. Although Microsoft's Silverlight has been considered an effective Web tool, with its discontinuation set to hit in 2021, businesses are already beginning to adopt HTML5 as the replacement. One major example comes from Netflix who used Silverlight to stream video content and is now focusing on changing over to HTML5 to future proof the site, according to WatersTechnology. However, because its previous iterations provided only static reporting, the recent version has a lot to prove to adopters.

As a device-neutral solution, the programming language has a significant advantage over other options. The capability of delivering real-time information also acts as a substantial benefit to HTML5 that many solutions don't have. With these capabilities and the increasing importance of mobile devices, organizations will need to make sure that they integrate a system like HTML5 that will effectively serve a variety of hardware and support staff functions.

Fueling BYOD with HTML5
Bring-your-own-device initiatives made a significant impact on business operations, and HTML5 development is now influencing the capabilities of BYOD users. Hewlett-Packard recently announced the launch of its enterprise app store - the HP Access Catalog - that leverages HTML5 to create cross-platform flexibility, according to EnterpriseAppsTech. The addition of SAML 2.0 to this front will allow only authorized employees on certain hardware to view content, providing businesses the functionality and security measures that enterprises require. The HTML5 program also allows decision-makers to manage desktops through their browser, enabling them to remotely deliver applications directly to employee devices.This innovation will help IT staff cut down on untrusted third-party program use, and in turn, mitigate risks from compromising sensitive data within the software.

"The idea behind the catalog is to attach it to the identity mechanism that's available and bring the best of breed for app stores," Dragan Milanovich​, vice president of HP Web Services, told the source. "For example, an enterprise can submit an app that goes out to the finance people, and what we'll do is distribute it around the world via CDN, and have a back end authorization mechanism to make sure that access is only to the appropriate people."

HTML5 is quickly earning favor among businesses as Silverlight's time continues to run out. As organizations strategize their transition, they should consider HTML5's benefits and the potential competitive advantages that the platform can bring to early adoption efforts.