I read an interesting article by Mike Dorning in last week's Bloomberg BusinessWeek. In summary, the article said surveys are showing that people do not believe the economy is improving despite nearly all market indicators suggesting otherwise. Of particular interest is the following excerpt, "While jobs have been slow to return, the country has experienced 'an incredible productivity boom' that strengthens the economy for an expansion, says Greenhaus of Miller Tabak. Labor productivity, or worker output per hour, grew at a 6.9 percent annual pace in the fourth quarter, capping the biggest one-year gain since 2002."
I am seeing an incredible interest in enterprise mobility applications these days. I wonder how much of the 6.9 percent productivity gain in Q4 of 2009 can be credited to companies extending their ERPs to mobile devices. What are your thoughts?
SAP announced in December that mobility is one of their core focus points for 2010. I can see this demonstrated with their EcoHub mobility theme this month. In 2009 it was business intelligence. This year I believe it is enterprise mobility, and next year the combination of enterprise mobility, business intelligence, and location based services (geospatially aware apps).
I look forward to your thoughts and comments.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Where Has Microsoft Mobility Gone - Here?
Several years ago when I was up to my neck in mobile application development projects, the only mobile operating systems referred to were Windows Mobile, Windows CE, along with a few reminiscent comments about Palm OS. Today, the mobility world is a completely different place but perhaps not as different as you may think.
The world of Windows Mobile and Windows CE still exists. In fact the industrial and ruggedized mobility environments are strong and completely dominated by Microsoft operating systems. This may surprise folks who are relatively new to mobility and may have thought enterprise mobility is limited to the smartphone. The ironic thing is that Microsoft was primarily focused on the consumer device market but accidentally found themselves dominating the markets for ruggedized and industrial grade mobile devices.
SAP mobility partners like Leapfactor, RIM, and Vivido Labs are mobilizing SAP primarily for the users of smartphones such as iPhones, Blackberrys, and those using the Android operating systems, but just because they are making the headlines does not mean there isn't a substantial and growing market for rugged and industrial mobile devices using Microsoft Mobile.
A few weeks ago I spoke to Andy Sivell, a project manager for SAP mobility partner Sky Technologies, about a large mobility project he is working on for a water utility in Australia with many hundreds of mobile application users. The rugged devices being used are Motorola MC75s, all with Windows Mobile operating systems. The mobile applications they support are:
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
The world of Windows Mobile and Windows CE still exists. In fact the industrial and ruggedized mobility environments are strong and completely dominated by Microsoft operating systems. This may surprise folks who are relatively new to mobility and may have thought enterprise mobility is limited to the smartphone. The ironic thing is that Microsoft was primarily focused on the consumer device market but accidentally found themselves dominating the markets for ruggedized and industrial grade mobile devices.
SAP mobility partners like Leapfactor, RIM, and Vivido Labs are mobilizing SAP primarily for the users of smartphones such as iPhones, Blackberrys, and those using the Android operating systems, but just because they are making the headlines does not mean there isn't a substantial and growing market for rugged and industrial mobile devices using Microsoft Mobile.
A few weeks ago I spoke to Andy Sivell, a project manager for SAP mobility partner Sky Technologies, about a large mobility project he is working on for a water utility in Australia with many hundreds of mobile application users. The rugged devices being used are Motorola MC75s, all with Windows Mobile operating systems. The mobile applications they support are:
- Enterprise asset management
- Mobile work order dispatch
- Field services
- Parts and equipment consumption
- Maintenance
- Job costing/time tracking
- Mobile resource management applications
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Mobility in the Enterprise from SAP
Announcement from SAP
Mobility is a key strategic priority for SAP. Starting today, Monday April 19, through April 30, 2010 “Mobility in the Enterprise” will be featured on SAP EcoHub. We have assembled an extensive array of valuable assets,(also see below) i.e.:
1. The best enterprise mobile solutions from partners that include Sybase, Syclo, Mellmo, Sky Technologies, Vivido Labs and Leapfactor. All contribute towards sales and revenue.
2. Videos and blogs from senior SAP executives and mobile visionaries. We received overwhelming commitment and cooperation from SAP executives and partners. We received 20 videos and 15 blogs on mobility and 3 partners have bought advertisement packages during this period.
3. Tools to locate the right mobile solutions. Check out the very cool “Find the right mobile solutions for your business” mini-app.
4. Engagement vehicles i.e. the mobility survey and an invitation for mobile app developers to introduce themselves to SAP.
5. Links from SAP.com, SCN, partners sites and mentor blogs to SAP EcoHub
“Mobility in the Enterprise” presents a great opportunity for our customers, AEs and partners to learn and engage with SAP on mobility. You can help us by publicizing and raising awareness of the mobility theme. Please take 5 mins to visit EcoHub yourself and become familiar with the content and solutions. The time for mobility in now! EcoHub is ready!
Sincere Regards,
Usman Sheikh
Vice President
SAP EcoHub
SAP AG
M +1 650 391 4830
E u.sheikh@sap.com
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Mobility is a key strategic priority for SAP. Starting today, Monday April 19, through April 30, 2010 “Mobility in the Enterprise” will be featured on SAP EcoHub. We have assembled an extensive array of valuable assets,(also see below) i.e.:
1. The best enterprise mobile solutions from partners that include Sybase, Syclo, Mellmo, Sky Technologies, Vivido Labs and Leapfactor. All contribute towards sales and revenue.
2. Videos and blogs from senior SAP executives and mobile visionaries. We received overwhelming commitment and cooperation from SAP executives and partners. We received 20 videos and 15 blogs on mobility and 3 partners have bought advertisement packages during this period.
3. Tools to locate the right mobile solutions. Check out the very cool “Find the right mobile solutions for your business” mini-app.
4. Engagement vehicles i.e. the mobility survey and an invitation for mobile app developers to introduce themselves to SAP.
5. Links from SAP.com, SCN, partners sites and mentor blogs to SAP EcoHub
“Mobility in the Enterprise” presents a great opportunity for our customers, AEs and partners to learn and engage with SAP on mobility. You can help us by publicizing and raising awareness of the mobility theme. Please take 5 mins to visit EcoHub yourself and become familiar with the content and solutions. The time for mobility in now! EcoHub is ready!
Sincere Regards,
Usman Sheikh
Vice President
SAP EcoHub
SAP AG
M +1 650 391 4830
E u.sheikh@sap.com
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
SAP's Mobility Theme Launch
SAP kicked off their Mobility Theme on EcoHub today. They will be promoting mobility over the next few weeks leading up to Sapphire by highlighting blogs, videos, demos, webinars, and other events related to mobility. SAP is promoting its mobility partners including Sybase, Syclo, Sky Technologies, Leapfactor, RIM, Vivido Labs, and others.The SAP banner above this article allows you to answer several questions and be directed to various mobility vendors that are partnered with SAP. Very clever SAP!
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Mobilizing SAP’s CRM - Freedom to Succeed
I have been invited to participate in an upcoming webinar on Mobilizing SAP's CRM. The details can be found on SAP's EcoHub website, and it is scheduled for April 27 at 1:00 PM EDST. The topics will include:
• Position CRM in your company.
• How to avoid adoption issues.
• Ways of implementing to maximize efficiency.
• Simplifying for mobile access.
• How to deploy SAP’s CRM across any mobile device.
Mobilizing SAP CRM is one of the highest priorities for SAP CRM customers. In a recent interview that I did with EntryPoint's founder Pete Martin, he said that 100% of his net new SAP CRM sales prospects are now requiring a mobile extension to CRM. This motivated him to partner with SAP's partner Sky Technologies to provide mobile SAP CRM solutions. Anything that can be credited with helping a sales force sell more product is very interesting to a company. Making the sales force more efficient, productive and effective is the goal of all companies.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
• Position CRM in your company.
• How to avoid adoption issues.
• Ways of implementing to maximize efficiency.
• Simplifying for mobile access.
• How to deploy SAP’s CRM across any mobile device.
Mobilizing SAP CRM is one of the highest priorities for SAP CRM customers. In a recent interview that I did with EntryPoint's founder Pete Martin, he said that 100% of his net new SAP CRM sales prospects are now requiring a mobile extension to CRM. This motivated him to partner with SAP's partner Sky Technologies to provide mobile SAP CRM solutions. Anything that can be credited with helping a sales force sell more product is very interesting to a company. Making the sales force more efficient, productive and effective is the goal of all companies.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
The Confession of an Enterprise Mobility Guy
Yesterday, because it was spring weather in Boise, Idaho, I put on a light weight jacket with only one secure interior pocket. This forced me to choose between putting my wallet or my iPhone in it. I chose the iPhone. I then proceeded to a store where I sat in a number of different chairs. When I returned home my wallet was predictably missing.
As I pondered my earlier choices, I wondered what made me choose my iPhone over my wallet. What decision would you have made? My iPhone is a portal into both my personal and professional life. My wallet is simply a container.
I read in the Wall Street Journal today an article by Katherine Boehret called "A Leash on Mobile Devices that Like to Wander." It lists two different devices that sound an alarm if you walk too far away from your mobile device. The problem is these device manufacturers assume you will lose your iPhone rather than your wallet.
I must confess that replacing my wallet now days seems easier than replacing my iPhone. Someday soon they will be one and the same, and having just one secure pocket in my jacket will suffice.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
As I pondered my earlier choices, I wondered what made me choose my iPhone over my wallet. What decision would you have made? My iPhone is a portal into both my personal and professional life. My wallet is simply a container.
I read in the Wall Street Journal today an article by Katherine Boehret called "A Leash on Mobile Devices that Like to Wander." It lists two different devices that sound an alarm if you walk too far away from your mobile device. The problem is these device manufacturers assume you will lose your iPhone rather than your wallet.
I must confess that replacing my wallet now days seems easier than replacing my iPhone. Someday soon they will be one and the same, and having just one secure pocket in my jacket will suffice.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
SAP CRM Partner EntryPoint Consulting Looks to Mobility for Growth
I read with interest today a press release about SAP partner EntryPoint Consulting. I know them, and they are a long term SAP consulting and channel partner that is involved in the CRM side of SAP. They were involved in some of the earliest implementations of mobile SAP CRM several years back and experienced a lot of first mover pain as a result. I know they have been watching the SAP mobility evolution with keen interest for several years.
From today's press release it looks like Pete Martin, managing partner at EntryPoint has decided it is time to get serious about SAP mobility again, and he partnered with SAP mobility partner Sky Technologies to deliver mobile SAP CRM capabilities. I spoke to him several months back, and he said 100% of his SAP CRM sales opportunities this year were asking about mobile device support so he was very interested in the SAP mobility ecosystem.
Here is a quote from today's press release, "We were convinced that we ‘chose right’ when some of the most sophisticated SAP customers, such as Colgate, chose Sky as their preferred mobile platform..." Martin goes on to say, "By combining our CRM consulting expertise with Sky’s leading platform, we now have the ability to offer companies a comprehensive set of CRM consulting in the marketing, sales and service functional areas. In short, we can offer them ‘SAP CRM in the palm of their hand.”
SkyMobile provides a single integrated framework that is used to mobilize and manage SAP applications on all major mobile platforms including Windows, BlackBerry, Android, Symbian, and iPhone.
I would like to hear more about what Colgate is doing in the SAP mobility space with Sky. I know that Colgate is often in the forefront of new technologies and trends. Perhaps, someone from Colgate will share?
*************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
From today's press release it looks like Pete Martin, managing partner at EntryPoint has decided it is time to get serious about SAP mobility again, and he partnered with SAP mobility partner Sky Technologies to deliver mobile SAP CRM capabilities. I spoke to him several months back, and he said 100% of his SAP CRM sales opportunities this year were asking about mobile device support so he was very interested in the SAP mobility ecosystem.
Here is a quote from today's press release, "We were convinced that we ‘chose right’ when some of the most sophisticated SAP customers, such as Colgate, chose Sky as their preferred mobile platform..." Martin goes on to say, "By combining our CRM consulting expertise with Sky’s leading platform, we now have the ability to offer companies a comprehensive set of CRM consulting in the marketing, sales and service functional areas. In short, we can offer them ‘SAP CRM in the palm of their hand.”
SkyMobile provides a single integrated framework that is used to mobilize and manage SAP applications on all major mobile platforms including Windows, BlackBerry, Android, Symbian, and iPhone.
I would like to hear more about what Colgate is doing in the SAP mobility space with Sky. I know that Colgate is often in the forefront of new technologies and trends. Perhaps, someone from Colgate will share?
*************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Monetizing Mobile Applications in the SAP Ecosystem
SAP is trying to figure out the best way to monetize enterprise mobile applications and B2C mobile applications. These are complex issues. Extending the functionality of SAP to mobile users is a key goal for SAP. They want to enable many, many more users to benefit from SAP. The mobile workforce and consumers are both areas where SAP can extend value, but how do they charge for it?
I have had conversations this month with several SAP ecosystem veterans about this topic. They remembered conversations several years ago when SAP was quoting full PULs (platform user licenses) for each mobile user. That did not go over well. They have since revised that number down, down, down, but now you have mobile micro-applications that just expose little segments of value to users. How is this going to be monetized by SAP. There is value for micro-applications vendors and end users for using SAP functionality on an iPhone, but how should it be priced? How can it be monitored?
SAP's goals are also to extend SAP functionality to consumers' smart phones in a B2C model. An example would be an iPhone enabled catalog that is hosted on SAP. It may include inventory updates, shopping carts/order entry, shipment tracking, etc. How does SAP monetize consumer applications that are developed by mobile application vendors?
I would like to hear your thoughts, as this is an issue that is being worked through now.
*************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
I have had conversations this month with several SAP ecosystem veterans about this topic. They remembered conversations several years ago when SAP was quoting full PULs (platform user licenses) for each mobile user. That did not go over well. They have since revised that number down, down, down, but now you have mobile micro-applications that just expose little segments of value to users. How is this going to be monetized by SAP. There is value for micro-applications vendors and end users for using SAP functionality on an iPhone, but how should it be priced? How can it be monitored?
SAP's goals are also to extend SAP functionality to consumers' smart phones in a B2C model. An example would be an iPhone enabled catalog that is hosted on SAP. It may include inventory updates, shopping carts/order entry, shipment tracking, etc. How does SAP monetize consumer applications that are developed by mobile application vendors?
I would like to hear your thoughts, as this is an issue that is being worked through now.
*************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Mobile Micro-Applications vs Thick Mobile Clients
As I have shared before, my background was in the MEAP (mobile enterprise application platform) world. We used different acronyms, some not repeatable in this family friendly blog, but it was the same thing as today's MEAPs. I have managed development projects where the mobile applications we delivered could be considered a full ERP in many places. It was painful and expensive, but it worked. Our customers had hundreds of route sales, service technicians, and delivery folks walking around carrying full functional ERPs on their ruggedized mobile handheld computers.
The application I am referring to above consisted of the following:
Our customer wanted a thick mobile client application that could work in a connected and disconnected mode so that their employees could work whether there was connectivity with the internet or not. Three years ago there were not a lot of options. As a result there were a lot of thick mobile clients delivered.
With this particulary mobile application, the training requirements were huge. The mobile workforce needed to understand every aspect of their mobile ERP before it could be effectively used. You can image the level of IT support for the first six months.
It will be interesting to see how thick clients and MEAPs evolve. There are some very active debates on the SAP Enterprise Mobility group on LinkedIn on this subject.
Where do MEAPs stop and mobile micro-applications start? If I were to develop that same mobile application today, would I use nine mobile micro-applications rather than try to build all of the features and functionality into one giant mobile application? Good question!
SAP's partners are on both sides of this question. SAP partners like Vivido Labs and Leapfactor focus mostly on mobile micro-applications. Sybase and Syclo focus mostly on thick mobile clients, while Sky Technologies seems to be hedging their bets with both thick mobile clients and mobile micro-apps.
It will be an interesting evolution to watch!
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
The application I am referring to above consisted of the following:
- Mobile sales force automation application
- Mobile order entry application
- Mobile invoicing
- Mobile proof-of-delivery application
- Mobile work order management application
- Mobile inventory management system
- Mobile price and promotion management application
- Mobile enterprise asset management application
- Mobile CRM to access customer service and support issues
Our customer wanted a thick mobile client application that could work in a connected and disconnected mode so that their employees could work whether there was connectivity with the internet or not. Three years ago there were not a lot of options. As a result there were a lot of thick mobile clients delivered.
With this particulary mobile application, the training requirements were huge. The mobile workforce needed to understand every aspect of their mobile ERP before it could be effectively used. You can image the level of IT support for the first six months.
It will be interesting to see how thick clients and MEAPs evolve. There are some very active debates on the SAP Enterprise Mobility group on LinkedIn on this subject.
Where do MEAPs stop and mobile micro-applications start? If I were to develop that same mobile application today, would I use nine mobile micro-applications rather than try to build all of the features and functionality into one giant mobile application? Good question!
SAP's partners are on both sides of this question. SAP partners like Vivido Labs and Leapfactor focus mostly on mobile micro-applications. Sybase and Syclo focus mostly on thick mobile clients, while Sky Technologies seems to be hedging their bets with both thick mobile clients and mobile micro-apps.
It will be an interesting evolution to watch!
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
Simple Mobile Applications Can Offer Real ROIs
The International Telecommunication Union reported in 2009 that 28% of people in Africa have mobile phones but only 5% have the internet. The report also said that mobile phone subscriptions in Africa were increasing by 50% per year. As a result of this rapid growth, mobile application developers have been creating simple mobile applications for African businesses that utilize SMS rather than mobile smart phones with data plans. There are some lessons to be learned.
In a recent CNN article entitled, "Mobile App Developers Tackle Africa's Biggest Problems," the author writes about developers creating powerful and beneficial mobile applications that work with simple and limited 140 character text message inputs. One example was a mobile application that enables dairy farmers to request the average price of a unit of milk in certain areas. The text message queries a database that returns an answer. This may seem to be a very simplistic application, but it means a huge amount to the dairy farmer. Without access to information on the local market prices for milk, the dairy farmer can be convinced, out of ignorance, to sell his/her product for less that the market price. Armed with knowledge, the dairy farmer can negotiate for a fair price.
Another example given was a mobile wireless fish sensor in a lake that alerts local fisherman via text messages of the presence of fish. For the local fisherman whose income depends on being a successful fisherman, this could be a very useful mobile application.
The lesson I learned from these examples is to not undervalue the usefulness of simple mobile applications. My background is in the MEAP space where we developed thick client mobile applications that were mini-ERPs on ruggedized Windows Mobile devices. Our MEAPs and mobile applications required large and expensive development efforts. They were certainly useful and appreciated by our clients, but it does not always require that level of development to provide real value.
Some segments of the mobile workforce could benefit from simple updates, key data provided at the right time, and the ability to query on key data and incremental efficiency improvements. Mobile micro-applications definitely have their place.
In the SAP ecosystem you are starting to see an increasing number of mobile micro-applications from SAP partners like Vivido Labs, Leapfactor, Sky Technologies. These applications are designed to replace specific paper processes and enable the mobile workforce to accomplish more while traveling. I have been given some previews and I believe that Sapphire 2010 will be remembered as the Year of Mobility in the SAP ecosystem.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
**************************************************
In a recent CNN article entitled, "Mobile App Developers Tackle Africa's Biggest Problems," the author writes about developers creating powerful and beneficial mobile applications that work with simple and limited 140 character text message inputs. One example was a mobile application that enables dairy farmers to request the average price of a unit of milk in certain areas. The text message queries a database that returns an answer. This may seem to be a very simplistic application, but it means a huge amount to the dairy farmer. Without access to information on the local market prices for milk, the dairy farmer can be convinced, out of ignorance, to sell his/her product for less that the market price. Armed with knowledge, the dairy farmer can negotiate for a fair price.
Another example given was a mobile wireless fish sensor in a lake that alerts local fisherman via text messages of the presence of fish. For the local fisherman whose income depends on being a successful fisherman, this could be a very useful mobile application.
The lesson I learned from these examples is to not undervalue the usefulness of simple mobile applications. My background is in the MEAP space where we developed thick client mobile applications that were mini-ERPs on ruggedized Windows Mobile devices. Our MEAPs and mobile applications required large and expensive development efforts. They were certainly useful and appreciated by our clients, but it does not always require that level of development to provide real value.
Some segments of the mobile workforce could benefit from simple updates, key data provided at the right time, and the ability to query on key data and incremental efficiency improvements. Mobile micro-applications definitely have their place.
In the SAP ecosystem you are starting to see an increasing number of mobile micro-applications from SAP partners like Vivido Labs, Leapfactor, Sky Technologies. These applications are designed to replace specific paper processes and enable the mobile workforce to accomplish more while traveling. I have been given some previews and I believe that Sapphire 2010 will be remembered as the Year of Mobility in the SAP ecosystem.
***************************************************
Kevin Benedict
Author of the report Enterprise Mobile Data Solutions, 2009
Mobile Strategy Consultant, Mobile Industry Analyst and Web 2.0 Marketing Expert
http://www.netcentric-strategies.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict
twitter: http://twitter.com/krbenedict
http://kevinbenedict.ulitzer.com/
http://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
***Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant and Web 2.0 marketing expert. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
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