According to IDC, the mobile device onslaught will continue in 2014 with sales of tablets growing by 18% and smartphones by 12%. The Android community, led by Samsung, will maintain its volume advantage over Apple, while Apple will hold onto its value edge with higher average selling prices and an established ecosystem of apps. But Google Play (Android) app downloads and revenues are making dramatic gains and the “app ecosystem value gap” will be significantly narrowed in 2014. The clock will also be ticking louder for Microsoft, which needs to quickly double mobile developer interest in Windows.

The news continues to be good in 2015, as mobile device sales take a steady path.  What’s more, BYOD is becoming more commonplace within enterprises.  You’ve probably noticed that many are turning in their laptops and desktops for smart phones and tablets.

As mobile grows, the need for back-end system support grows as well.  Indeed, most mobile devices, as well as mobile applications, require some type of back end provider, either cloud-based or through a managed service provider (MSP).  At the end of the day, both are mashing up with mobile.

Many mobile platform are teaming up with MSPs for a few core reasons:

• The need to have a dedicated set of resources on the back-end to support the increasing number of mobile devices.
• The need to have direct and managed connections to the Internet for mobile device support.
• The need to provide enhanced security, including encryption and identity services.
• The need to provide this infrastructure at a reduced operational cost.

As MSPs respond to the needs of the mobile systems, they continue to get better at providing core services such as mobile application development and testing.  They also continue to improve support for mobile-oriented back end database services, and advanced network services, including best-path routing to the closest center supported by the MSP.

The use of MSPs that are focused on mobile systems will be a clear trend in 2014 and 2015.  While many mobile-based applications and platform services will move to public clouds, the majority of back-end mobile-based systems will find themselves on owned equipment, or MSPs.

Moving to MSPs will become more of an advantage, considering that mobile-oriented features will be provided by the MSP.  That means many of the application and security services will be provided by the MSP, and thus will provide the most value for those who build, deploy, and operate mobile platforms.

This is a bit more than a mashup or a trend.  As mobile systems become a bigger part of your lives, what we hold in our hands is only half the story.  The larger and more valuable part will be residing on an MSP.