Gartner said that “Bring Your Own Application (BYOA) has become as important as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) in the development of a comprehensive mobile strategy”, as enterprises look to maintain control of their IT operations.

According to the company, by 2017 one quarter of enterprises will have an enterprise app store for managing corporate-sanctioned apps on PCs and mobile devices, which “promise greater control over the apps used by employees, greater control over software expenditures and greater negotiating leverage with app vendors” – but only if widely adopted.

Ian Finley, research VP at Gartner, said: “Apps downloaded from public app stores for mobile devices disrupt IT security, application and procurement strategies.”

It was noted that while enterprises already have “numerous” options for downloading software to PCs, most do not include support for smartphones and tablets. Enterprises are beginning to formalise processes for these devices, and are looking for ways to manage mobile app provision, especially as they develop their own in-house propositions to extend more complex data to devices.