There are different ways to deploy a Blackberry applications. The application maybe installed from the Blackberry AppWorld, or from a Application Web Loader that installs the application via USB from the website, or from Over the Air in which case, a user navigates to a site and then installs the application from it.
Prerequisites
There are various requirements that must be met before an application can run in a Blackberry.
The application must be signed if it uses APIs that requires signing. Otherwise, the application will install in the device.
IT policies will need to be considered. For example, if the IT Policies do not allow running certain functions that the application is using, then the application cannot be used.
Also, the Trust Level of the application must be considered. The user or the administrator may disable certain permissions that might required to run the application.
Desktop Manager
The Desktop Manager is a software that allows a user to install a Blackberry application if they have a PC and a USB lead. The user will need COD and ALX files to be able to load the application. Eclipse automatically creates the COD files when the application is run or debugged. Eclipse automatically creates the ALX files when the application is packaged unless otherwise mentioned in the Blackberry_App_Descriptor.xml.
JAD, JAR and DEBUG files can also be found which might be useful.
To load the application on the device, start Desktop Manager, click on Application Loader and then click on Add / Remove Applications. Click on Browse and point to the ALX file and then follow the prompts.
Javaloader
Javaloader is a development purpose deployment method and should not be used to distribute applications. This tool requires a user to load the application using the command prompt. The user, therefore, will need to know the syntax to load the application.
Javaloader is part of the JDE kits and can be found in Blackberry JDE's bin folders.
Application Web Loader
Application Web Loader is the easiest way to load an application over the USB lead. The user does not need to know the command prompt functionality and nor does he need to install and use the Desktop Manager.
The user needs to go to the website, connects the device using USB lead, enter password if prompted and click on the Load button. The application will be loaded in the device. The JAD, COD and AxLoader cab files need to be on the web server. The mime type settings may need to be updated to allow the web server to publish the files to the site. The web server will need to associate web loader to the .jad file.
Over The Air
Using this method, a user can download and install an application from the web server wirelessly. Thus, Over The Air option allows easier and cheaper option to distribute the application.
The Blackberry browser can show the installation page and allow a user to download and install the application. The user can set permissions for the application.
The COD and JAD files need to be on the web server and the mime types on the server may need to be updated.
Blackberry Enterprise Server
Applications can be deployed to Blackberry devices automatically that are connected to Blackberry Enterprise Server. The Blackberry Enterprise Server administrator can log inn from any computer and easily deploy the application to specific users or groups. The administrator can also set the permissions of the application.
Blackberry App World
Blackberry App World offers opportunity to showcase an application to all Blackberry device users. Any developer can submit applications to the App World which will then be approved by RIM before making into the App World. Blackberry App World supports deploying applications running OS version 4.2.0 or higher.
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