Review: FeedHenry uses Node.js to fortify mobile apps

Cloud deployment and management
FeedHenry runs on all major public and private clouds, and on a wide range of IaaS and PaaS infrastructures. FeedHenry has a HIPAA-compliant cloud, as well as live clusters in both Europe and North America.

The company claims its cloud portability eliminates vendor lock-in. That's probably true with respect to the cloud vendors, but not for FeedHenry itself. Cloud portability is also not unique to FeedHenry. Among competing MBaaS offerings, Kinvey can say the same.

FeedHenry can encrypt locally cached data on the client with the use of AES/RSA algorithms, it supports HTTPS encryption on the pipeline between the app and the cloud, and it provides endpoint security. It has a full set of authentication and session management APIs, including support for LDAP, Active Directory, and OAuth credentials. Of course, you can find plenty of encryption plug-ins for Node.js, which can be used as needed.

Another potential security hole is between the MBaaS and the enterprise's own back-end systems. FeedHenry supports IP address punch-through, VPNs, firewalls, DMZs, approved data centers, and approved data center locations to address this issue.

Incorporating a supported third-party enterprise mobility management product, such as AirWatch or MobileIron, is a simple matter of checking a box in the FeedHenry distribution configuration.

Finally, FeedHenry does a good job of reporting app and cloud usage, including app installs, app start-ups, cloud requests, and active users by time, platform, and geography. In addition, FeedHenry monitors cloud endpoints in real time and provides full auditing. On the other hand, FeedHenry doesn't supply a user data reporting or charting module. For that, you would have to use reporting and charting modules supplied by your database vendor or a third party.

As we've seen, FeedHenry is more than an MBaaS, but its Node.js-based mobile back-end service is lightweight, fast, highly scalable, and loaded with enterprise integrations. The Git integration aids team development, and FeedHenry supports almost any kind of mobile app you'd want to build. Its drag-and-drop forms creator makes building simple data entry apps a snap. What FeedHenry lacks at this point is a broad set of fully worked-out vertical starter solutions, but the company is progressing on that count.

This article, "Review: FeedHenry uses Node.js to fortify mobile apps," was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Follow the latest developments in application development, cloud computing, and mobile technology at InfoWorld.com. For the latest business technology news, follow InfoWorld.com on Twitter.