Salesforce execs speak to the power of HTML5 at Dreamforce
As Salesforce.com plots its own HTML5, web-based app, that's just scratching the surface of how strongly the CRM and cloud computing software giant feels about the technology.
During a media-only panel discussion at Dreamforce 2011 in San Francisco on Wednesday, Peter Coffee, director of platform research at Salesforce and the panel's moderator, argued that HTML5 is an opportunity for businesses across the board.
George Hu, Salesforce's executive vice president for platform, marketing and operations, concurred adding that HTML5 will fill the gap for business apps on tablets as he said that 95 percent of apps available now are consumer-focused. Thus, there is the huge potential for businesses to jump on this now while this void still exists.
During another Dreamforce panel focused on mobile, Clarence So, senior vice president of strategy at Salesforce, brought up the example of Apple as being the driving force of this shift because of its strict app store regulations -- whether app developers like it or not.
However, there are certainly valid reasons as to why promoting HTML5. IDC senior analyst Stacy Crook said that many companies are struggling with how to build native and hybrid apps. Problems include trying to figure out where both employees and customers will manage and access these apps given the wide variety of mobile devices available on the market today.
Crook argued that HTML5 is a strategic option for companies looking to attract customers on the mobile spectrum as it is both a cross-platform and cross-device solution. It's cross-platform because it can be supported on virtually any browser, whether it be on iOS or Android. Crook pointed out that even with Android, there are potential roadblocks for standard mobile apps because of various versions of the OS. Thus, HTML5 meets all the requirements as it should be supported on any device.
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