Enabling enterprises to embrace the App revolution and the Internet of Things, Salesforce created AppExchange Store Builder, a module of software to allow companies to build, brand and distribute its own apps for employees and customers. It’s free for existing customers.

Over 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies have built business apps today. In many cases, these business apps are distributed through a variety of consumer app stores. Yet, such stores have a consumer focus. They do not always meet enterprise needs. Fortune 500 (and other companies) need customized branding, centralized support across multiple device platforms, and the ability to manage and deliver apps directly to users.

A Better Way to Manage Its Business Apps

In response to this market need, yesterday, Salesforce launched the AppExchange Store Builder. This allows companies to quickly create what they want and need: their own, fully- customizable app marketplaces to manage and deliver apps to customers, partners and employees.

The marketplaces will be built on the Salesforce1 Platform, the same technology that powers Salesforce’s own business AppExchange. It’s available today.

AppExchange Store Builder Benefits beyond those already offered through its AppExchange

AppExchange Store Builder is a new way for companies to quickly create their own app marketplaces with:
Distribution freedom: AppExchange Store Builder makes it easy for companies to create a single destination to distribute mobile, web and desktop apps to customers, partners and employees.
Customized branding: New app storefronts can be completely customized to give all end-users a consistent brand experience.
Built-in dashboards: Companies can stand up a new marketplace with a few clicks, make apps immediately available, and view built-in dashboards that provide complete transparency into activity and downloads.
Support for all platforms: Companies can create a single destination for their end-users to download all of the business apps they need, including third-party apps and apps for various device platforms, such as Android, iOS and Windows. This is the core benefit, in my view.
E-commerce: Existing solutions available in the Salesforce AppExchange, including Chargent, Linvio and Zuora, can be easily integrated into AppExchange Store Builder to add payment processing.

Innovative Brand Leaders Distribute Apps to Customers in Whole New Ways

USDA is using AppExchange Store Builder to engage its constituents in entirely new ways. USDA’s goals are to promote reuse of existing apps that have demonstrated business success, as well as ensure that new apps are built in such a way that they can be reused easily. AppExchange Store Builder enables USDA to achieve these goals by providing the right apps to the right people at the right time—all in an easy-to-consume custom store.

“We’re working to quickly create a fully customized and transparent app inventory for our key stakeholders,” said Todd Schroeder, business systems management director, USDA. “With AppExchange Store Builder, we will bring stakeholders and apps together in a self-service business solutions marketplace that allows the USDA to more broadly share success.”