|
Multiplicity of Devices
The competition amongst handset vendors to launch more feature-rich handheld
devices is posing another challenge for all-the application developer, the
mobile operator and above all the enterprises. According to Bhargava of SAP
India, "We would say multiplicity of mobile devices is a key challenge and
every company has multiple software and hardware applications, and enterprises
face multiplicity challenges in all areas." He offers a solution for this
and adds, "There should be a common integration platform for all enterprise
solutions like ERP, CRM, SCM, and SRM, among others as it helps in bringing
standardization."
| Gartner's
Mobile Mantra For Enterprises |
|
Excel at the fundamentals:
Mobilize the right applications, choose the best technology, negotiate
winning contracts with operators and service providers, pick the right
partners, and ensure your mobile solutions are secure and effective.
Define a strategy:
Understand and prepare for market trends such as convergence and
commoditization, select technologies and partners that will survive in the
long term, exploit the convergence of the Web and mobility.
Innovate:
Look beyond mobile email and workforce enablement to find new ways in
which wireless can revolutionize processes and customer relationships.
Profit from mobility:
Align mobile initiatives with business goals and generate provable ROI.
All of these will be
essential, and none of them will be easy in the ever-changing world of
wireless. By 2008, several new wireless technologies will be available and
organizations will choose from 500 different models of mobile device and
hundreds of competing technology providers. Challenging commercial
decisions are on the horizon as well. Early industry leaders will be
threatened by mega-vendors as markets consolidate and mature. Network
pricing models will change frequently and radically as cellular operators
embrace convergence and introduce new services to compete with threats
such as the Internet, VOIP and WiMax. |
|
The
Application Landscape |
|
Customer-centric Applications
-
Sales Force Automation
-
Customer Relationship
Management
-
Customer Care/Call
Center
-
Legacy/customized
applications
Productivity-enhancement Applications
-
Email
-
Internet/Intranet
-
Calendar
ERP-centric Applications
|
The Challenges Ahead
Solutions and services are there, but challenges also exist which
application vendors are facing while developing mobile applications for the
enterprises. Bhargava lists some of the challenges which companies face in
developing mobile enterprise applications-limited battery power, processor
speed, memory size, storage capacity, form factor security, vulnerability,
transaction safety of mobile devices apart from low reliability of network
devices. The key challenge, according to him is optimizing the available
bandwidth while providing reliable data exchange between the mobile devices and
the back end server.
| The key
challenge is to optimize the available bandwidth while providing reliable
date exchange between the mobile devices and the back end server |
Shukla on the other hand lists some more challenges around
adoption of mobility applications by the Indian enterprises highlighting the
multiplicity of platforms and OSs. He gives some examples like "Multiple OS-Nokia
comes with Series (40/60/90); Microsoft with Mobile OS, PalmOne and a number of
Linux-based OS which have increased complexity of development and deployment of
mobile applications." He goes on to add that there is little or no support
for launching and promoting device-independent applications by mobile operators.
He cites low ROI leading to little incentive for application developer for
Indian markets as opposed to the overseas markets as another hurdle. There are
other issues like little post-sales services backing for standalone applications
which is very important due to low awareness of usage and OS-specific issues.
Sudesh Prasad
sudeshp@cybermedia.co.in Page(s) 1 2
| 
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