Salesforce Inc. has launched a new tool called the AppExchange Store Builder, which helps companies create their own app stores. That allows them to skip mainstream app marketplaces, where their business apps are typically drowned out by apps for consumers.
On Wednesday, Salesforce announced its new feature would allow its users to build customizable app stores, ready for ecommerce, on top of its AppExchange. The appeal here will be the ability for users to add their own branding, and to also be able to run stores that are compatible across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. So far, Salesforce has already signed on customers like the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as Hitachi, according to a story from ZDNet.
Companies will get the option to check user activity and downloads through Salesforce-provided dashboards, and to add apps instantly to their marketplaces. They’ll also be able to make that app store a one-stop shop, with customers being able to get all the business apps they need for Android, iOS, and Windows. Customers will also be able to pay for whatever apps they need through payment processing services currently available in Salesforce AppExchange, like Chargent, Linvio, and Zuora.
However, one of the key features here is the new ability for companies to manage and deliver their mobile, web, and desktop apps to their customers, while allowing partners and employees access to the app store as well.
Being able to manage their own app stores could make all the difference for companies that want their customers to build a sense of trust in their business apps, said Pam Miller, research director at IDC.
“We are spending time in apps that we once spent in a web browser. Every company has an imperative to deliver mission-critical apps to their constituents,” she said in a statement. “Salesforce empowers companies to provide a trusted destination for customers, partners and employees with AppExchange Store Builder.”
For current Salesforce customers, Store Builder is available now, and there will be no extra charge to use the tool. However, for companies that aren’t Salesforce customers, they can still access the Store Builder tool at a starting fee of $5 per user per month.