• Mobile software projects start small and have a very limited user base and business focus in the beginning.  As the users begin to test and adopt the new mobile software solutions, they most often expand the project as they quickly recognize the efficiencies that can be gained by using mobile enterprise.
• Usually, 80% through the mobile software project the lights go on!  The client can see beyond their immediate project to the greater potential for enterprise mobility.  This is where the client starts wanting to add to the list of features and expand the project scope.
• Mobility is a process – a company may start with simple mobile micro-apps (small iPhone, BlackBerry, Android apps) for alerts, notices, paper replacement, etc., and then expand to geospatially aware apps that are integrated with business intelligence and knowledge management applications.
• Companies may start with mobilizing their field service technicians, but rapidly expand to mobile CRM, mobile shipping and inventory status, mobile enterprise asset management, quality assurance inspections and reporting, real-time mobile business analytics for the management team, route accounting and proof of delivery for the truck drivers.

Look out for the next blog for more points!

In a recent visit to one of the restaurant, I came across the first live experience of an enterprise mobile solution. It seems that this chain of restaurants is an early adopter in this geographic region.

As we got seated, the attendant did his routine of giving the menu cards &  when we were about to place the order, he pulled out a sleek iPad to take the order.  I was surprised at the speed with which the mobile apps have penetrated in a segment which is not looked upon as an ideal candidate for mobile adoption. I got to know that the device communicated with backend system which the Kitchen uses to prepare the orders. The system also generates the bill.

This has reduced the number of visits of the waiter to the kitchen. His availability to attend the guests has increased.  It has also eliminated manual entry and associated errors.  I left wondering what next? May be a menu card with visuals and details on an iPad?

The popularity of highly functional smart mobile devices, such as iPhone, Android and now the iPad, is significantly impacting enterprise mobility support requirements as these devices increasingly cross over from consumers into the corporate setting. The Apple iPad is finding its way into the enterprise thanks largely to marketers who want to leverage the device’s larger screen to make presentations and access enterprise applications on the road.

As each business requirement and work-flow is different, enterprises will seek mobile vendors that provide a flexible middleware solution that can quickly be tailored to individual business needs. Mobile Enterprise solution providers must adapt quickly to customer needs and be responsive to the desired flexibility of clients. Allowing clients to quickly develop micro apps based upon specific businesses needs, with the desired user experience, on the enterprise’s desired platform, and quickly configure mobile middleware, will be the new standard business practice.

A key to mobile project implementation success will be to select the right mobile partner to fit your business needs. To have a solid partner in mobility, an enterprise must trust that the partner is keeping up with industry trends not only current trends but forecasting those trends into future projections, not only inform but also alert when necessary to the rapidly evolving mobile landscape.

The rapid rise of mobile computing devices as the preferred medium for connecting to private corporate networks has led to an increase in the associated risks and breaches of security concerning the IT infrastructure of enterprises. Security is the primary reason companies deploy, or plan to deploy mobile device management, as smartphones are to become more predominant in working environments.

AdMob Mobile Metrics’ Metrics Highlights of 2010 talks about the latest trends happening in Mobile space.  It is interesting to see how Smartphones with touchscreens, WiFi connectivity, and advanced Operating Systems are growing in popularity. Here are some of the highlights of the report

May 2010While mobile Internet requests are growing rapidly worldwide, there are regional differences in the devices used

• 92 countries generated more than 10 million requests in May 2010, up from 27 countries in May 2008

• Nokia leads in Africa, Asia and E. Europe, while Apple leads in N. America, Oceania and W. Europe

Smartphones with touchscreens, WiFi connectivity, and advanced Operating Systems are growing in popularity

• In May 2010, smartphones generated 46% of traffic in the AdMob network, up from 22% two years ago

• 24% of AdMob traffic in the US came over WiFi in May 2010

Mobile Internet Devices like the iPad, iPod touch and Sony PSP are changing the way the mobile Internet is accessed

• Mobile Internet Devices have consistently accounted for at least 10% of AdMob’s monthly traffic over the past year

Apple was the top device manufacturer in the AdMob network, driven by the worldwide adoption of iOS devices

• Of the nearly 44 million iOS devices in the AdMob network, 57% of the devices are outside of the US

The launch of new Android devices over the past year has led to rapid growth in the Android platform

• Traffic from the Android platform has grown 29% month-over-month since May 2009

• In May 2010, 14 devices generated 92% of Android traffic, compared to one device a year ago

The iOS and Android platforms show a higher usage than share of handsets sold, primarily due to strong app usage

• Users of the iOS and Android platforms regularly spend at least 79 minutes a day using apps

• Consumers on the iOS and Android platforms download approximately 9 apps a month

I happened to go through an interesting article by John Appleby, Head of Technology, Blufin. He is talking about the how the launch of iPhone By Apple, way back in 2007 was a game changer and how Microsoft’s “Windows Phone 7 Series” launched recently is also a game changer. John argues that the order of the day is Situational Mobility i.e the key premise is that the mobile device should support the user “in the moment” and Windows Phone 7 Series offers that. He says that the series outperform others in many a area like, Corporate email and while using Office documents. He through his blog also mentions what are all missing in the series and about the issue of integration with the SAP. John concludes the post by saying that Microsoft has changed the face of Enterprise Mobility today with the release of Windows Phone 7. It will take some time but a serious competitor has come along to the market

Please read the complete post here