It doesn’t seem all that long ago when mobile business apps were few and far between, but with the continuous increase of mobile device popularity among consumers, businesses of all sizes and types have come to realize the importance of business application development and its overall effect on their bottom line. According to Apps Economy, 90% of companies will increase their mobile app investment this year.

In order for businesses to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers and new mobile technologies, businesses are including business application development. Here are 3 application development trends that companies will be considering:

1. Mobile App Security

Cyber attackers are always looking for new ways to access sensitive information online and with the increase in business application development among companies, cyber criminals are working tirelessly to retrieve such information via apps on mobile devices. The spike in business application development places cyber mobile security near the top, in terms of mobile app trends. According to Kaspersky Lab Anti-Malware Research Group, the volume of malware targeted to users of mobile devices tripled in 2015.

2. Internet of Things (IOT)

We think of mobile apps as simply a gateway to access music, games, social media channels, local points of interests, such as restaurants, etc., however they have become far more significant than that. Mobile technology has evolved to become the foundation and bridge between mobile access and the Internet of Things, making it possible for devices to exchange data with other “smart” devices. This year, innovative business application development will involve IOT to drive brand innovation.

3. Sales and Marketing Automation Solutions

More and more businesses are looking to incorporate sales and marketing automation solutions onto their staff’s own mobile devices. Business apps will be looking to include access to task flows, internal business communications and other common business functions, while incorporating intuitive, natural and humanistic sounding voice commands.

Mobile business trends are constantly changing and it’s important to stay on top of them, as the opportunities to enhance the business brand, meet the needs of mobile users, and boost business ROI are an achievable reality. Business application development should be a part of a business’ mobile apps strategy, given that the trend to increased mobile usage remains strong among the masses.