HP, Oracle open app store warehouses

Software and middleware vendors HP and Oracle have been all over the app store bandwagon this week, both unveiling platforms designed to help service providers and operators get their own app store initiatives underway.

HP’s SDP Storefront Portal is an extension of the company’s service delivery platform (SDP) technology, and offers a framework capable of enabling two-sided business models: wholesale and retail. As well as the actual marketplace, HP’s suite offers application programming interfaces (APIs) and a test-and-certification module to ensure that applications work as intended on subscriber devices.

“The success of mobile operator app stores will depend heavily on front-end ease of use that appeals to subscribers as well as back-end SDP infrastructure that attracts developers,” said Shira Levine, directing analyst at Infonetics, an international market research and consulting firm. “Solutions like HP’s that expose network assets such as call control, location, messaging and presence will help developers create the new services that operators need.”

In a similar pitch, Oracle announced its own Digital Store platform, designed to help service providers manage the complete content lifecycle, spanning content submission, test and approval and storefront management of their app stores.

The suite provides a centralised warehouse management system that lets CSPs effectively manage testing and approval for content running on hundreds of devices, along with a comprehensive store management system and out-of-the-box connectivity with multiple network elements – including WAP Gateway, Push Proxy Gateway, Short Message Service Center, Multimedia Messaging Service Center and email.