SAP TechEd 2011 - Session ID MOB102: Mobile Technologies and the Real Time Enterprise

I am presenting a session at SAP TechEd in a little over a week called Mobile Technologies and the Real Time Enterprise.  I would invite you to attend.  The session ID is MOB102.  One of the key concepts in this session is that enterprise mobility is not just about technologies but tactics.  Using advanced mobile technologies without advancing your tactics is just plain wrong!!!  Here are some of the areas we will cover:
  • Connected and Mobilized ERPs
  • Connected workforce, assets and inventories
  • 360 degree and 3D view of the operational area
  • Asset and workforce tracking
  • Work and task status visibility
  • Business process and KPI alerts
  • Unified views
  • Dynamic real time scheduling
  • Integrated end-to-end back office systems
  • Real time analytics and decision making
I hope to see you there!




*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
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HTML5 Apps

In this article we are going to take a look at a few HTML5 applications to learn more about what can be done:

Kindle Cloud Reader

A web app that lets the user read Kindle books instantly, providing instant access to the user’s Kindle library. Provides caching for offline reading. Currently available for Safari and Chrome browsers.

https://read.amazon.com/

Color Mail

“This web application helps you to create a color styled email template and then you can use it directly in your iOS Mail app to send a colorful email to your friends.” Many templates are available in multiple categories. Currently available only for iPhone and iPad.

http://www.touchapp.co.uk/
http://www.apple.com/webapps/productivity/colormail.html

Meebo

An integrated, all-in-one instant messaging app that enables users to easily share content and communicate in real time. Supports all the major IM networks: AOL, Yahoo!, Gmail, Google Talk, Facebook, MySpace and more. Allows for push notifications even when the app is closed.

http://www.meebo.com/meebomobile/

Card Flip

A timed memory game – turn over pairs of matching cards to win. Works offline when there is no network coverage.

http://miniapps.co.uk/cardflip/index.html 
http://www.apple.com/webapps/games/cardflip.html

Checklist

For shopping and/or to-do lists. Keeps a running total of all items, works offline when there is no network coverage. Remembers what the user is typing if interrupted.

http://miniapps.co.uk/checklist/index.html http://www.apple.com/webapps/productivity/checklist_alexgibson.html

ParkingAssistant

Shows parking lots in the user’s vicinity using a map that moves as the user moves. Includes a Google search bar at the bottom of the screen.

http://www.anagog.com/wa/
http://www.apple.com/webapps/searchtools/parkingassistant.html

Previously published articles on HTML5

What Can HTML5 Offer Mobile Developers?
HTML5 - What I am Learning
Projections for and Demonstrations of HTML5
HTML5, Enterprise Mobility and Visual Effects
Challenges with HTML5 for Mobile Applications

If you have some interesting HTML5 applications that you would be willing to show off, then please ad a link to the comments below.



*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
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Mobility ROI Weekly - Week of August 29th

This weekly ROI (return on investment) report includes ROIs that I come across in my weekly enterprise mobility and mobile data collection research.  My goal is to create an archive of mobility related ROIs that we can all use when we need them. I hope you find this useful.

Mobile Fleet Management Cuts Costs

Fleet Advantage provides fleet services to Costco Wholesale that includes installing electronic sensors in freight trucks and trailers.  Equipping vehicles in the shipping industry with sensors to better manage deliveries is a growing trend.  The ROIs resulting from mobile fleet management are:
  • Improved fuel efficiency
  • Analysis of driver behavior that enables improvements to be made that drives down operating costs
  • Detailed reports that enable companies to see when holding on to an old truck costs more than leasing a new one – again this helps drive down operating costs.
  • Data gathered by sensors that allows companies to better make cost comparisons between buying or leasing delivery trucks.
Read original source

Mobile Imaging App Helps Reduce Costs and Improve Efficiencies

Mobile image cloud apps (MIC) on smartphones are becoming more popular among companies in banking, healthcare and insurance.  Since 2000, cameras on smartphones have been used to photograph documents such as bank checks, hospital records and insurance claims.  Lately, this has become more popular and more companies are adopting strategies for turning smartphone cameras into basically scanning devices.  The anticipated ROIs are:
  • Digital photographs taken by smartphones can eliminate a lot of paperwork that was once needed including handling deposited checks, photographing driver’s licenses, insurance claim forms and other documents.
  • Photographs of documents saved on a network make them quickly and easily available to anyone with access to the network no matter their location.
  • Insurance companies can expedite refunds and insurance payments to customers.
  • Patients may be able to use this technology to quickly photograph medical receipts for expedited reimbursement.
Read original source

RFID Proof of Concept Delivers Big Returns

American Apparel conducted a pilot test program that gave RFID tags to 50 stores nationwide testing the usefulness of tracking merchandise.  The ROI on RFID-enabled stores was no more than six months. Here are the areas that are reported to have driven the ROIs:
  • Improved security and a 75 percent reduction in theft.
  • The RFID system has proven to reduce shrink, improve stock levels and reduce employee turnover.
  • Better visibility of merchandise on the floor led to better customer service.
  • Stores with the RFID program were able to increase sales an average of 50 percent more than stores without RFID tracking due to better stock management and the reduction of loss.
Read original source




*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
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Video Comments: Kevin Benedict on Buying vs. Building Mobile Apps, Part 2

This is Part 2 of this Video Comments series on Buying vs. Building enterprise mobility applications.  You can watch Part 1 here.  In this segment, we drill down into what it really takes to support and maintain an enterprise mobility application once it is developed and deployed.






*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
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Field Mobility News Weekly - Week of August 29, 2011

The Field Mobility News Weekly is an online newsletter made up of the most interesting news and articles related to field mobility that I run across each week.  I am specifically targeting information that reflects market data and trends.

Also read Mobile Commerce News Weekly
Also read Mobile Marketing News Weekly
Also read Mobility News Weekly
Also read M2M News Weekly
Also read Mobility Charts Weekly

ABI Research forecasts that commercial telematics will experience a compound annual growth rate of 27 percent in the coming years, to reach 6.4 million by 2016.  Read Original Content

Singapore’s DHL division recently introduced fleet telematics technology into its delivery vehicles throughout the country. Within the first nine weeks DHL saw an increase of 5 percent fuel efficiency and a 41 percent drop in speeding occurrences by drivers.  Read Original Content

United Airlines announced last week that it will replace over 10,000 pilot logbooks with iPad computers. The switch to paperless documentation will save 16,000 sheets of paper, 1,900 trees and 326,000 gallons of annual jet fuel.  Read Original Content

Since 1995, Syclo has enabled hundreds of companies in 37 countries and industries supercharge their businesses with mobility.  This newsletter is sponsored in part by Syclo. http://www.syclo.com/.

A recent report from Technavio predicts that the global mobile health applications market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent between 2010 and 2014.  The research firm believes that one of the main factors that will contribute to this growth is the new demand for remote patient monitoring.  Read Original Content

After officials in Fort Bend County, Texas began using RFID tags to track files and documents throughout county offices, they saw a 63 percent reduction in wasted time by staff members.  Read Original Content
Read more »
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M2M News Weekly - Week of August 22, 2011

Welcome to M2M News Weekly, an online newsletter that consists of the most interesting news and articles related to M2M (machine to machine) and embedded mobile devices.  I aggregate the information, include the original links and add a synopsis of each article.  I also search for the latest market numbers such as market size, growth and trends in and around the M2M market.

Also read Field Mobility News Weekly
Also read Mobile Commerce News Weekly
Also read Mobile Marketing News Weekly
Also read Mobility News Weekly
Also read Mobility Charts Weekly

In the first quarter of this year, there were 23.9 million connected devices in the M2M market, with future estimates of 82.5 million by 2016, according to U.S. Telecom Wired and Wireless Sizing and Share 2011-2016.  Read Original Article

Telecom networking equipment maker Ericsson has completed the asset purchase agreement to acquire Telenor Connexion's M2M technology platform.  Read Original Content

Cisco has announced that it now offers a new router device for M2M communications.  Read Original Article

ClickSoftware is an SAP mobility partner and the leading provider of automated workforce management and optimization solutions for every size of service business.  This newsletter is sponsored in part by ClickSoftware - http://www.clicksoftware.com/.

Wireless USB devices are rapidly growing at the global level according to Global Industry Analysts, illustrating the sharp increase in demand for M2M related technologies.  Read Original Article

According to Compass Intelligence, the M2M and connected devices market will reach 87 million endpoints by 2015, with a compound annual growth rate of over 25 percent.  Read Original Article
Read more »
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Video Comments: Kevin Benedict on Buying vs. Building Mobile Apps

In this segment of Video Comments I share some thoughts on buying vs. building enterprise mobility apps.  I also say nice things about Sybase's Unwired Platform.  You can watch Part 2 of this series here.






*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
- No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Challenges with HTML5 for Mobile Applications

I’ve been highlighting features and advantages of HTML5 in previous posts, however, HTML5 has its limitations and challenges as well. Let's take a look at some of the noted concerns and disadvantages of HTML5 web-based apps in this article.
  • Well made Native apps run faster than HTML5 based web apps
  • Web applications can only communicate to the operating system through the browser engine, limiting usage of API’s to only those that are made available by the browser.
  • There are limitations with local data storage
We discussed in a previous post how with HTML5, it’s possible to store data locally on the device. Interruptions in connectivity no longer need adversely affect the field workers ability to remain productive since one can cache the logic and store the data locally on the device. While the web browser’s local databases make it easier for web apps to cache data, they won’t provide the same data power found with desktop apps. Data storage with HTML5 is buried deep in the browser, and stored data can’t be moved to another machine, copied, or backed up. The files can be moved but only if one knows where to look.

Security - The security of the local database is also a concern. If a user is able to manipulate the JavaScript code, the gap in security also leaves the databases open and vulnerable for the data to be changed. We need to be very cautious of data collection with HTML5 client-based apps.

Syncing Disconnected Apps - Data can be continually saved when a web app is connected to the Internet. However, when offline, changes aren’t always stored and copies start appearing, making synchronization a problem. Developers can provide solutions by using version control and user interfaces to manage synchronization but somebody must code this.

Previously published articles on HTML5

What Can HTML5 Offer Mobile Developers?
HTML5 - What I am Learning
Projections for and Demonstrations of HTML5
HTML5, Enterprise Mobility and Visual Effects





*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict
Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
- No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Mobility News Weekly - Week of August 22, 2011

The Mobility News Weekly is an online newsletter made up of the most interesting news and articles related to enterprise mobility that I run across each week.  I am specifically targeting information that reflects market data and trends.

Also read Field Mobility News Weekly
Also read Mobile Commerce News Weekly
Also read Mobile Marketing News Weekly
Also read M2M News Weekly
Also read Mobility Charts Weekly

After just around eight months, there are now 30,000 apps in the Windows Phone marketplace, according to a post on the Windows Phone Developer Blog.  Read Original Content

The increased risk to personal and corporate data is an opportunity for the mobile-security industry.  The global market for mobile security is expected to reach $14.4 billion by 2017, according to market research firm Global Industry Analysts.  Read Original Content

Fifty-two percent of all smartphones sold to U.S. consumers during the second quarter of 2011 run Google's Android mobile operating system, up 19 percent year-over-year.  Apple's iOS grew 7 percent over the past year and follows in second at 29 percent market share, according to new data published by market research firm NPD Group.  Read Original Content

ClickSoftware is an SAP mobility partner and the leading provider of automated workforce management and optimization solutions for every size of service business.  This newsletter is sponsored in part by ClickSoftware - http://www.clicksoftware.com/.

Local Florida grocery chains are rolling out store-specific smartphone applications to connect shoppers with the products they want at a price that’s right.  Several chains — including Publix, Winn-Dixie and Aldi — deliver weekly specials via free smartphone apps.  Read Original Content

More bad news for Android smartphone owners — a new variant of a scary data-harvesting Trojan has been found in Google's official Android app market.  "App Installer" is marketed as an app designed to help users manage their .APK files, but in reality it harbors a variant of DroidDreamLight, a Trojan that steals victims' sensitive phone data and downloads malicious code to infected smartphones from remote servers, the security firm Trend Micro reported.  Read Original Content
Read more »
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Mobility Charts Weekly - Week of August 22, 2011

The Mobility Charts Weekly is a weekly publication of charts depicting the current and future status of the enterprise mobility market.  I am specifically targeting information that reflects market data and trends.


According to a Lighspeed Research study, 47 percent of total mobile phone owners in the United States have made a mobile purchase at one time or another.  Those most likely to purchase using a mobile device are males between 18-24 years.  Read Original Article



An article by GoToTags looks at the forecasted growth of NFC enabled phones in the upcoming years.  Currently there are less than 100 million devices enabled with NFC technology.  By 2015 there is expected to be nearly 550 million devices able to purchase good using near field communications.  Read Original Article



According to an article by Financial Spread Betting on mobile stock trading, the practice of trading stocks through mobile devices is on the rise largely due to the number of people switching to Internet access by mobile device rather than using traditional desktop computers.  Read Original Article



An ATG survey taken in 2010 indicates that mobile shopping is still an emerging habit by mobile phones users.  The poll results show that 5 percent of people browse and research products on a daily basis using their mobile device and only 1 percent of owners end up purchasing a product through their phone.  Read Original Article


*************************************************************
Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer
Follow me on Twitter @krbenedict

Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.

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