Army launches apps
marketplace prototype

March 23, 2012

When fully implemented, the Marketplace will deliver web-based and

downloadable applications to all devices approved for use within the

Army's Common Operating Environment on the Army network.

"The Apps Marketplace is at the center of Army efforts to radically

reduce the time to deliver applications across the force," said Lt.

Gen. Susan Lawrence, the chief information officer/G-6. "This prototype

is a first step in establishing and exercising new submission and

approval processes that will eventually enable Army members,

organizations and third-party developers to release applications

for Army-wide distribution."

The Marketplace prototype brings together key Army stakeholders

to focus on implementing industry-proven agile software-development

practices--such as increasing collaboration early on between end-users

and developers, and delivering software to users in short release cycles.

Currently, the marketplace prototype supports publicly-facing apps

on personal iOS devices. Soon, the marketplace will also support

publicly-facing apps on Android devices. Among the apps available

now are: The Soldiers Blue Book (initial entry training guide),

Army Values, Army Social Media Handbook and Developing a

Performance Work Statement.

"Training aids, planning tools and other apps in the Marketplace

give Soldiers easy access to information we need to keep current,"

said Sgt. 1st Class Nanette Williams, a member of the Army

Executive Communications Team at the Pentagon.

Army CSDA Director Brig. Gen. Wayne Grigsby Jr. said the

prototype allows CSDA to begin distributing training and leader

development content to the Soldier at the point of learning. Grigsby

is the Director, Mission Command Center of Excellence at Fort

Leavenworth, Kan.

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