As a SYNAXIOM customer, you have received a unique distribution of NIVOMAX customized to your needs as part of your entitlement. Each distribution comes with a Distribution ID and a suite of applications, including the NIVOMAX Viewer Editions for different platforms such as Windows, Web, and iPad. Some of you have noticed that the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition has a longer lifecycle before it becomes available in your distribution compared to the Web and Windows Editions. This article explains why this difference exists, focusing on the factors that contribute to the extended timeline for the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition.
Windows Application Lifecycle: Streamlined and Controlled
For NIVOMAX Windows and Web applications, the entire lifecycle—from development within our Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to the release of installation setup files and server apps—is managed directly by SYNAXIOM. This streamlined process allows us to efficiently test, package, and deploy updates or new releases, ensuring minimal delays.
The NIVOMAX Viewer iPad Edition Lifecycle: A Complex and Extended Process
The process for developing and releasing the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition is inherently more complex and involves several mandatory steps that contribute to a longer lifecycle:
Development and Initial Testing
The NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition is developed using Xcode, Apple’s official IDE for iOS and iPadOS. After coding, the application undergoes rigorous testing in simulators to ensure it functions correctly across the supported iPadOS versions and device types.
Integration with Server Apps
Unlike self-contained iPad apps, such as games, the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad Edition interacts with various NIVOMAX server apps to perform functions such as authentication, authorization, and downloading entitlements, all of which are unique to each distribution and hosted on-premise by our customers (ePubs Suppliers). This integration requires additional testing to ensure compatibility and performance, adding time to the process.
TestFlight Deployment
Once initial testing is complete, the app is uploaded to Apple’s TestFlight platform for beta testing. At this stage, we also test the application within the Continuous Integration (CI) environment for each distribution, verifying that it functions as intended with the specific server setup.
Apple’s Review Process
After passing through TestFlight, each iteration of the app must go through Apple’s review process, even for TestFlight submissions. According to Apple’s documentation, this process can take up to 48 hours for each submission. The app is evaluated against Apple’s strict guidelines, and any necessary changes must be addressed before resubmission. This review process can introduce delays and extend the timeline, especially if modifications are requested by Apple.
Ongoing Testing and Validation
Even after Apple’s approval, ongoing testing is necessary to ensure that the app works correctly with all server configurations unique to each distribution. This ensures that by the time the app reaches end users, it is fully operational and meets all requirements.
Why the Process Takes Longer
The longer lifecycle for the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition is not just a result of the development time but is influenced by several mandatory steps, including integration with server apps, testing within CI environments, and multiple rounds of Apple’s review and approval. These steps are crucial to ensuring that the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition functions correctly within each unique distribution and meets the high standards required by both SYNAXIOM and Apple.
We hope this explanation provides clarity on why the NIVOMAX Viewer iPad edition for your distribution has a longer lifecycle compared to our Windows and Java server apps. We appreciate your understanding as we work within these necessary frameworks to deliver high-quality applications across all platforms.
