Application Management (AM), also known as application lifecycle management, is a key part of IT governance that revolves around the management, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise applications throughout their lifecycle.
The Origins of Application Management
The concept of application management came into being with the evolution of software engineering in the 1960s. However, it was not until the late 1980s and early 1990s that this discipline gained popularity, alongside the rapid development of business computing and enterprise software. Initially, AM was largely a function of the IT department, concerned with the upkeep of internally used applications. With the advent of the internet, e-commerce, and software as a service (SaaS), the scope of application management has significantly broadened to include externally facing applications and their user experience as well.
Understanding Application Management
Application Management is a discipline that covers a broad range of activities. This includes designing and developing applications, deploying and maintaining them, monitoring their performance, and ensuring their security. It also involves making enhancements, updates, or modifications to the applications as per changing business needs or technological advancements. AM takes into consideration the entire lifecycle of an application, right from the inception and development phase to the eventual retirement or replacement of the application.
The Internal Structure and Functioning of Application Management
The internal structure of Application Management typically involves various teams working in collaboration, including:
- Development Team: Responsible for designing, coding, and testing the application.
- Quality Assurance Team: Ensures the application meets the specified requirements and is free from defects.
- Deployment Team: Handles the rollout of the application to the users.
- Operations Team: Takes care of application monitoring, backup, and recovery.
- Support Team: Resolves any issues or challenges faced by the users.
- Change Management Team: Manages application updates and enhancements.
These teams collectively work together to ensure the smooth operation of the application throughout its lifecycle.
Key Features of Application Management
Key features of application management include:
- Application Development and Maintenance: This involves creating new applications and ensuring the smooth operation of existing ones.
- Issue Tracking: This feature helps in identifying, reporting, and resolving any application issues.
- Release Management: This involves managing the process of deploying releases to ensure the integrity of the live environment is protected and that the correct components are released.
- Performance Monitoring: Regular monitoring of application performance to ensure optimal functioning.
Types of Application Management
There are several types of Application Management services available. Here’s a table illustrating a few:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Managed Application Services | Services provided by a third party to manage an organization’s applications. |
| In-House Application Management | Application management done internally within the organization. |
| Cloud-based Application Management | These services are delivered via the cloud and can include application creation, deployment, testing, and maintenance. |
Application Management: Challenges and Solutions
Application management can be challenging due to the complexity of modern applications, the rate of technological change, and the need for 24/7 availability. Issues can include performance problems, security vulnerabilities, and problems arising from changes or updates. Solutions often involve the use of application management software tools that can automatically monitor and report on application performance, detect and remediate security issues, and manage the deployment of updates and changes.
Application Management and Related Concepts
Here’s a table that distinguishes Application Management from similar terms:
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Application Management | Management of the entire lifecycle of an application, from inception to retirement. |
| Project Management | Focused on planning and executing a project within a defined timeframe, usually with a specific goal. |
| IT Service Management | Management of IT services delivered to end-users, often based on ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) practices. |
Future Perspectives and Technologies in Application Management
The future of application management is expected to be influenced by advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies can potentially automate many aspects of application management, such as performance monitoring, issue detection, and resolution. Additionally, the rise of microservices and containerization is transforming how applications are built and managed, allowing for greater scalability and resilience.
Proxy Servers and Application Management
Proxy servers can play an important role in application management, especially in the areas of security and performance. A proxy server can help protect applications from security threats by filtering incoming requests and blocking potentially harmful ones. Furthermore, proxy servers can improve application performance by caching content and balancing load among several servers.
