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Mobile components
The Mobile Application Builder client consists of multiple components. Depending on the desired user experience, some of these components may not need to be installed.
Zimbra Community 8
Zimbra Community 8 is used as the user and data store, and represents the community that is exposed by the Mobile Application Builder for Zimbra Community. The Mobile Application Builder cannot function without a working Zimbra Community 8 installation.
For more information about installing Zimbra Community 8, see the Install Zimbra Community 8.
Mobile Application Builder Components
The Mobile Application Builder contains three components: Server Components, the Native Applications, and a Push Notification Plugin for Zimbra Community 8.
Server Components
These are required. The server components define and implement the user experience for mobile devices. The server components can be used on their own to provide a unique mobile web experience for mobile devices, or can be used with the native application to provide a fully branded app experience that is is suitable for an app store.
The server components are the only requirement for mobile installation. To install the server components, see Installation of Mobile Server Components.
Zimbra Mobile Application Builder Native Package
This is required. The Zimbra Mobile Application Builder provides a completely rebrandable native mobile package that already works on its own. The mobile build package generator creates a package suitable for building your custom app using the Adobe PhoneGap Build service without any additional developer intervention.
To create a mobile app, you must first have a suitable PhoneGap development account and/or application ID for iOS and/or Android. Using the resources the Mobile Application Builder provides, you can build your application package and submit it to the iOS App Store or Google Play Store or distribute your app directly within your enterprise.
For instructions on creating the build package, building it, and deploying it, see Creating a Branded App for Mobile App Stores.
Push Notifications Plugin
This is optional. If you are planning to deploy the native application, you can register with Apple and/or Google to use their native push notification services. With registration information from these services, you can install and configure the Push Notification Plugin to push notifications to your custom build of the new app.
Optional components
The Mobile Application Builder also includes optional plugins for Zimbra Community 8 to simplify native app deployment:
- iOS and Android app previewer
- Smart banners