Getting Started on a Mobile Software Development Project for Handheld PDAs and Smartphones

What does it take to get a mobile software application for a handheld PDA or smartphone developed? The quick answer is just time and money, but the long answer follows:

1. Draw a picture or diagram of the various players, software systems, buildings, vehicles, etc., that will be involved in the system. It helps everyone to see where the data starts, where it is collected, edited, synchronized used and stored.
2. List the business processes involved in the system (i.e. work orders, asset tracking, inventory, inspections, accounting, payroll, invoicing)
3. List who will be using the system
4. Ask an expert to draw out and detail how the enterprise application works and interfaces with third party software
5. Identify how each person involved will access the information (i.e. mobile handheld computer, desktop application, web application, etc.)
6. What reports do they need to have? Are they dynamic, or are they standard reports?
7. What database application(s) does the mobile application need to interface with?
8. Provide a database schema for the database where the data will be stored?
9. Make an expert, that knows your database application, available so the development team can quickly get their questions answered
10. Pick your mobile device or handheld computer early so the development team knows screen sizes, button configurations, bar code, RFID, GPS etc., configurations
11. Have a person available to review and test the work each step of the way.
12. Don't ask the mobile application to do all of the same things as an enterprise software application. Be careful to use the mobile software application in the right manner with an understanding of the limited screen size, processor speed and memory available on mobile devices.