What actually happens during the app submission process?

[markwalsh]

Hello,

During this process - https://developer.webex.com/docs/app-hub-submission-process

What sort of things are undertaken here? What bits of information are required for the app submitters to provide? e.g. do you need application access to the consuming application?

The reason I am asking this is because our application is going to be designed with the idea that multiple partners (separate Cisco accounts) will create their own applications and integrate them within our single application.

Thanks,

Mark

[Raffaele Lagana]

Most information should already be detailed in the document you referenced. But let me add to that, to hopefully help answer your queries. Firstly, each submission is taken as a unique one, meaning that it may be handled differently to others. They're treated on a case by case basis as each app and submission is unique. But the general process is that first the submission is reviewed from a Business point, meaning how will the app fit into the app hub portfolio and what is the goal of the app. Then a technical review is performed to see how the app works, what technologies it uses, whether it complies with our recommendations, etc. Once both are satisfied (sometimes these can take time, based on whatever adjustments need to be made), then it proceeds to final checks and gets submitted to our App Hub portal for customers to enjoy.

Things to note based on what you said. It's not necessary for every app/integration to be submitted. You as the owner may want to submit your app to make it publicly available to prospective customers, but those customers who need to create an integration in order to use your app may not need to make that public (and therefore submit it to App Hub).

It might make sense to submit your app to our App Hub team, so that they can give you some guidance on the best approach to take, based on what use case you explain to them.

[markwalsh]

Hello again,

This bit is interesting:

"Things to note based on what you said. It's not necessary for every app/integration to be submitted. You as the owner may want to submit your app to make it publicly available to prospective customers, but those customers who need to create an integration in order to use your app may not need to make that public (and therefore submit it to App Hub)."

Does this mean I could create a Webex Service App (https://developer.webex.com/docs/service-apps) and bypass the the app submission process and have other WebEx accounts install and use this app?

Thanks,

Mark

[Raffaele Lagana]

Yes you can, you would just need to advertise it yourself. The App Hub submission is there to give you an additional option to advertise your app by sharing it with the Webex Community, it's an area that webex users access a lot so it would help you with visibility. But it's not a mandatory requirement, the app will work in the same way whether you submit it or not. We always recommend submitting it if you'd like to reach the wider webex community, but it's completely up to yourself.

Note that for Service Apps there is also an option to submit the app to your org administrators. That's a mandatory requirement for Service Apps, as Admin/Compliance users would need to authorize it for usage. The App Hub submission process is totally separate from this, just want to make sure this is clear.

[markwalsh]

Hello; 

I assumed from the documentation that for me to share my app, with an non-affiliated organisation I'd need to publish it; as stated from this page: https://developer.webex.com/docs/service-apps

To request authorization in an org that isnotyour own org, you need toSubmit to Webex AppHub. When you do that, a manual review of your Service App with the App Hub team is initiated. You must fill in additional information including how the App Hub team can test your app, which vertical you serve, descriptions and tags shown on App Hub, landing and support pages, videos, and more. You can find more information in thissupporting blog.

I'll try to make sure my scenario is clear.  I "OrganisationA" want to create a service app for use by other unaffiliated organisations e.g. "OrganisationB".  I was under the assumption that I would have to create a Service App, publish it to the AppHub and then and only then would "OrganisationB" be able to install this app via https://admin.webex.com/apps/service-apps

If this is not the case; is there documentation for how to avoid having to publish an app to the App Hub but still allow other organizations to install and use my app? 

[Raffaele Lagana · Accepted solution]

Then my understanding of your use case was not correct , the initial description provided mentioned "The reason I am asking this is because our application is going to be designed with the idea that multiple partners (separate Cisco accounts) will create their own applications and integrate them within our single application.". 

Based on what you just explained now, yes you would need to submit the app to App Hub so that it can be used in other orgs. You can explain your use case to the App Hub team (they usually contact you some time after the submission is received) and they can advise the best course of action for your scenario.