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Device Conundrum: What’s Best? Presented by Sean Gallagher sean@seanmgallagher.com. Mobile Apps in the Enterprise, Part 3. The Device Selection Decision Tree:. Use case: Field, extreme condition, fleet Mobile info worker Sales Executive / decision support Customer-facing
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Device Conundrum:What’s Best? Presented by Sean Gallagher sean@seanmgallagher.com Mobile Apps in the Enterprise, Part 3
The Device Selection Decision Tree: • Use case: • Field, extreme condition, fleet • Mobile info worker • Sales • Executive / decision support • Customer-facing • Network availability • Campus • Customer site • Mobile metropolitan • Unreliable / occasionally connected network (2G/3G) • Security requirements • Will company control config? • Two-factor authentication • Network access controls • Password protection • Other security requirements • Application sourcing • Internally developed • Off-the-shelf • Custom-coded • Adapted from Web app
Is Consumer Hardware an Option? • Upsides of consumer devices: • "BYOT" option for sales/executives • Cheaper than rugged options by more than 50% • Growing number of commercial apps • Increasing hardware form-factor choices • Downsides: • Hardware lifecycle is a moving target • Fragile, suited only to casual/indoor information worker use without add-ons or modification • Lack of established track record for anything but email and consumer apps
When to Consider Consumer Platforms • Casual/occasional use • Consumer-centric • On-premises mobile • Information worker • Executive "dashboard" • Voice/telephony integration • Availability of "off the shelf" apps and cloud services • Expanding number of peripherals suited to business needs (POS, printer enabled, Bluetooth accessories)
When ‘Consumer’ Hardware Doesn’t Cut It • Extreme environments • Extreme storage requirements • High risk of droppage • Barcode reading – commercial device imaging still falls short • Keypad intensive • Security essential (two factor, data encryption on device)
Rugged Options for Mobile: Most Are Windows CE • Panasonic Toughbooks (Windows 7) • Motorola Symbol • Unitech • Trimble
What Form Factor? • Key decision points: • Data entry requirements • Automated: requires barcode read, credit card reader, external peripheral? • Video / audio / image • Keying-in of data • Touch capture • How much local processing/data storage?
Application Decisions That Impact Form Factor • Using a pre-packaged app or developing custom? • If custom, where's your organizational comfort zone/skillset? • If packaged, form factor may be dictated by platform/system requirements • Direct integration with enterprise infrastructure, or use of cloud services / SaaS?
Use Case: Sales • Tablet vs. smartphone • Email vs. interactivity – need a keyboard? • Imaging, POS required?
Use Case: Executive Information System • Most commercial mobile report reader/executive dashboard tools (Corda, Novatek) are on iOS • Apple display capabilities lead here
Use Case: EMR • Virtualization or cloud driven? • Imaging requirements • Required screen real estate
Use Case: Small Business • Support for cloud / SaaS access • Off-the-shelf apps for POS, contact management
Google Android Unrestricted development Easier, cheaper development for prototyping, hacking (no “locked” devices) Tablet support is emerging, but no commercial runaway hit Android tablets (Nook?) Broader carrier choice (well, sort of) Multiple versions Java-based dev Which Is Best for Developers? • Apple iOS devices • Largest volume of app downloads and purchases • Apple marketing machine • Two form factors, separate UI issues (sizing); tablet support is good • Enterprise: can set up own “store” and deploy to specific devices. • Consumer: need to follow Apple interface guidelines, get approval for iTunes App Store • Objective C (or something that complies with it)
What About Windows Mobile? • Windows CE/Mobile 5.x / 6.x still best option for Windows-focused development shops, thick mobile client apps • Windows 7 Mobile is a new, different platform, requires a hard look