The BlackBerry Solution is being used in many organizations to access mobile email and personal information. In addition, many off-the-shelf applications are also widely used. A less know option for getting the most from BlackBerry is to develop software for the BlackBerry solution.
There are two main software platforms that can be used in developing for BlackBerry: J2ME and MDS.
J2ME
According to Sun, the Java version is more appropriately called “Java Platform, Micro Edition”; however, most developers still reference J2ME. More specifically, BlackBerry devices run on RIM’s own version of J2ME, which includes additional APIs. Of the two development platforms available for BlackBerry development, J2ME is by far the most feature rich and allows the most functionality to be built in to the applications.
J2ME applications can be downloaded by users to their devices and are generally built to work regardless of the back-end platform. Common examples would include many games and other mobile applications commercially available from sites like Handango. RIM refers to these programs as “BlackBerry Java Applications”.
MDS
BlackBerry® MDS Runtime Applications are also built for BlackBerry, but require BlackBerry backend software to run. Normally, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) software can be used to provide that backend functionality. If, however, an organization wishes to use MDS on devices that will not be used to access email or personal information (for example, for field or warehouse staff), BlackBerry Enterprise Server for MDS Applications can be used as a more affordable alternative to full BES.
At this time, applications developed on MDS are not as feature rich as those developed on J2ME. Certain functions, such as Bluetooth, GPS, and complex graphics are not available. Additionally, MDS Runtime Applications cannot currently call other applications, including built in applications like contacts and the phone. Some of these features may be available in the future.
While MDS as a development platform does not have as many features, the major advantage is that it is a rapid-application development platform. Projects that might have taken months to develop on J2ME are now able to be created in weeks. Not only does this mean an idea can go from the drawing board to the field faster, it also reduces the cost of development.
Because MDS Applications are built on web services, they are ideal for building front ends for existing corporate databases. For example, if a company has a database where sales people’s leads are stored on an in-house server with a recent version of SQL Server, an MDS Application could be easily built to allow the sales person to search their prospect database from the BlackBerry while in the field.
Before an organization develops its first BlackBerry application, look for a qualified BlackBerry Alliance Member who can be called for assistance if issues arise. For advice on developing on the J2ME platform, see this article on Sun’s site. For information on MDS, see RIM’s site.
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