Mobile Commerce News Weekly - Week of September 5, 2011

The Mobile Commerce News Weekly is an online newsletter made up of the most interesting news, articles and links related to mobile payments, mobile money, e-wallets, mobile banking and mobile security that I run across each week.  I am specifically targeting market size and market trend information.

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

Greetings!  This is Kevin Benedict offering a free report on enterprise mobility for everyone that completes my new enterprise mobility survey.  At the end of the survey is a place for you to leave your name and email address.  I will send the results of this survey to all participants.  I believe we can all learn some very interesting and perhaps unexpected information from this survey that will help us plan and develop good strategies.  Take the Survey Here!

Gartner research estimates that there will be over 141.1 million worldwide mobile payment users in 2011, a 38.2 percent increase from 2010.  Read Original Content

By 2015 Juniper predicts that worldwide mobile spending on remote and POS payments will grow to $670 billion.  Read Original Content

Transactions involving cash and checks are becoming less popular as electronic banking, including mobile-banking gains popularity.  According to Boston Consultancy Group, mobile payments will account for 20 to 30 percent of all transactions by 2020.  Read Original Content

Pyxis Mobile provides an agile, powerful, and secure mobile enterprise application platform.  It enables rapid cross-platform application development, unlimited data integration, enterprise-grade security, and the unique ability to change and update applications in real time.  This newsletter is sponsored in part by Pyxis Mobile, http://pyxismobile.com/

According to the software company Ability Commerce, more customers use tablet devices to conduct mobile shopping than smartphones.  Read Original Content

Mobility Charts Weekly - Week of September 5, 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.



Forrester Research reports that they expect the number of total tablet PC users in the United States to steadily climb to 82 million by 2015, up from 26 million in 2011.  Read Original Content




Mobile Ad agency Jumptab reports that during a ten-day span in August, the currently shutdown HP Touchpad tablet nearly out-gained Android tablets in generated advertising revenues.  This was largely a result from the $99 closeout special for the HP tablets.  Read Original Content



Juniper Research predicts that the value of mobile payments will reach $670 billion by 2015, up from $240 billion currently.  Recent efforts in mobility transactions including Google’s Wallet and new smartphones equipped with NFC chips will further increase the popularity of mobile payments.  Read Original Content




Forrester recently released a new study on the habits of tablet owners and how they relate to mobile shopping.  In the report states that 60 percent of tablet owners shop using their devices with 47 percent completing online purchases.  Read Original Content


*************************************************************
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.



Click Here!

Mobility ROI Weekly - Week of September 5, 2011

This Mobility ROI Weekly consists of ROIs that I come across in my daily research on enterprise mobility and mobile data collection.  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.

United Airlines Replaces Pilot Logbooks with iPad Tablets
 
Recently, United Airlines officials announced that the company is replacing all manuals, charts and logbooks for over 11,000 pilots with new iPad tablet computers.  The company began the replacement process early in August and will complete the iPad distribution later this year.  Expected ROIs are:
  • Replacing logbooks, charts and manuals with iPads will relieve pilots of 38 pounds of required documents and paperwork.
  • iPads will store 12,000 pages of required documentation on a 1.5 pound, compact device that allows pilots to travel lightly.
  • 326,000 gallons of jet fuel will be saved each year through the reduction of 38 pounds of paperwork per pilot.  This equates to 3,208 fewer metric tons of carbon emissions being released each year.
 http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/gaming.gadgets/08/23/united.ipad.mashable/index.html?iphoneemail

Companies Benefit By Allowing Employees to Bring Their Own Devices to Work

Lately there has been an increased push both by employers and employees to allow the use of personal handheld devices in work environments for work related tasks.  Many companies are seeing the benefits of personal devices at work not only to include savings on company IT expenses but other ROIs as well:
  • By allowing employees to bring personal smartphones and tablets to work, companies save money that would have been spent purchasing company owned devices.
  • Worker moral is improved when employees can bring familiar devices to work.  Employees feel more comfortable using a device for work purposes, which they also use personally.
  • Companies see an increase in productivity when they allow employees to use personal devices for work purposes.  Employees will often complete work related tasks at home when company information and applications are on their personal devices.
  • Personal smartphones are also maintained, repaired or replaced by the owner, which saves the company money.
http://mobileenterprise.edgl.com/how-to/How-Workers-Can-BYOD-Without-Risking-Data,-Networks-75175

Supermarket Chain Secures Storage Rooms with RFID

Two German supermarket chains ALDI and Lidl have both established RFID tracking systems throughout their warehouses and grocery stores to increase security and monitor access into freezer rooms and storerooms.  The system allows the RFID badge on an employee to trigger a door or gate into automatically opening when within range (3 meters).  The reported ROIs are:
  • Reduces theft by restricting access to employees with RFID badges only.
  • Reduces employee theft by tracking any access to storerooms after business hours.
  • Hands free door or gate opening enables employees to enter while driving a vehicle or carrying a load, which saves time and improves efficiency.
  • Hands free access also enables a much faster entry than a manual code or swiping system.
  • The RFID system also records how long an individual has been in a room or freezer and can send an alert to a manager to check on the health and/or status of the individual.
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/8711/1/1/

Lamb Ranchers Increase Production Through Radio-Frequency Tracking

Alberta lamb producers are working on a radio frequency tracking system to create a remotely manageable herd system and to increase awareness and tracking capabilities. The potential ROIs are:
  • Cost-savings through lowered labor expenses 
  • Allows for expanded production through increased oversight of larger herd populations.
http://www.rfidworld.ca/lamb-traceability-project-gives-alberta-lamb-producers-access-to-rich-information/429

Maryland School Board Approves GPS Enabled Bus Fleet

A school board in Prince County, Maryland has approved a GPS vehicle-management system for the school district’s fleet of 100 buses.  The expected ROIs are:
  • An average of 8.6% reduction in fuel.
  • 15% reduction in overtime claims by bus drivers.
  • 13.3% reduction in communication overhead - locating buses, communicating with parents, etc.
  • Provides quick guidance for lost drivers to keep them on schedule.
  • Monitors bus driving patterns to help supervisors train more efficient driving skills.
  • Reports diagnostic data to mechanics for improved maintenance reduced downtime.
http://www.fieldtechnologies.com/school-bus-fleet-updates-gps-tracking-system-to-enhance-safety-and-cut-costs/






*************************************************************
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.

More Mobile HTML5 Apps for Your Review

This week we have found more mobile HTML5 applications for your review.  If you are like me, you want to see what others have done with HTML5 so you can start understanding how you can utilize HTML5 apps in your own enterprise.

Touch Salesforce

Salesforce has just announced a new application based on open standard HTML5 technology. The app will be available in 2012 and will run on most popular mobile devices. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says “The change in hardware is also being complemented by a huge change in software – and that software is HTML5. This software will give us the ability to build applications that run natively on mobile devices, but are also managed as a service…”

http://www.salesforce.com/touch/

LinkedIn Mobile

A new HTML5-based mobile website has been developed for Android and iPhone users by business social network LinkedIn. Users may access LinkedIn via the web on their mobile devices at touch.linkedin.com.

http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=mobile&trk=hb_ft_mobile

PocketMarket

Displays the latest prices for the commodities traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

http://www.pocketmarket.info/ or http://download.cnet.com/PocketMarket/3010-31713_4-75553623.html

WiFi Speed Meter

This app measures the speed of the user’s iPhone internet connection.

http://www.wifispeed.info/ or http://www.apple.com/webapps/utilities/wifispeedmeter.html

Morse Code Generator

A fun web app that translates any English sentence into Morse Code.  I must say this sounds like the ultimate geek app.

http://www.pjnation.com/iphone/morse-code/ or http://www.pjnation.com/

Scrabtis

A cross between Scrabble and Tetris.

http://openappmkt.com/app/4c5903deb77f912f790004f3/Scrabtris

Previously published articles on HTML5

HTML5 Apps
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
More on HTML5 for Mobile Application Developers
What Can HTML5 Offer Mobile Developers?
HTML5 - What I am Learning




 
*************************************************************
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.

Field Mobility News Weekly - Week of September 5, 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 M2M News Weekly
Also read Mobility Charts Weekly
Also read Mobility ROI Weekly

Greetings!  This is Kevin Benedict offering a free report on enterprise mobility for everyone that completes my new enterprise mobility survey.  At the end of the survey is a place for you to leave your name and email address.  I will send the results of this survey to all participants.  I believe we can all learn some very interesting and perhaps unexpected information from this survey that will help us plan and develop good strategies.  Take the Survey Here!

Five hundred Dubuque, Iowa bus commuters have volunteered to travel with RFID tags provided by the city in order to help transportation officials study the travel habits of passengers including popular destinations and stops.  Read Original Content

SAP has developed a mobile health application that provides physicians with a patient’s medical history, medications, X-rays, and vital signs.  Later this year a number of European hospitals will begin a pilot program to test the new application.  Read Original Content

Researchers at Georgia Tech and Duke University have developed and tested an RFID tag and reader designed to alert workers and equipment operators in the event of an imminent collision.  Read Original Content

The Sonim XP3300 Force, a new rugged phone, won the Guinness world record for surviving a drop from 25 meters without breaking. The previous record was a drop of 3.25 meters also preformed by Sonim.  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/.

M2M News Weekly - Week of August 29, 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 Mobility Charts Weekly

Greetings!  This is Kevin Benedict offering a free report on enterprise mobility for everyone that completes my new enterprise mobility survey.  At the end of the survey is a place for you to leave your name and email address.  I will send the results of this survey to all participants.  I believe we can all learn some very interesting and perhaps unexpected information from this survey that will help us plan and develop good strategies.  Take the Survey Here!

Revenues from remote patient monitoring services that use mobile networks will rise to $1.9 billion globally by 2014, according to Juniper Research.  Read Original Content

Frost & Sullivan predicts that the next wave of M2M revenues will be generated by M2M in government and smart cities projects.  Read Original Content

Agsense, a remote irrigation management company has received a patent for its GPS enabled irrigation system.  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/

National Taipei University of Technology and Taichung Hospital in Taiwan are working on an ambulance-mounted wireless sensor system to transmit patients’ vital signs to emergency wards while patients are being transported.  Read Original Content

Mobility News Weekly - Week of August 29, 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
Also read Mobility ROI Weekly

Greetings!  This is Kevin Benedict offering a free report on enterprise mobility for everyone that completes my new enterprise mobility survey.  At the end of the survey is a place for you to leave your name and email address.  I will send the results of this survey to all participants.  I believe we can all learn some very interesting and perhaps unexpected information from this survey that will help us plan and develop good strategies.  Take the Survey Here!

Google's Android operating system powers almost 42 percent of the smartphones owned by U.S. consumers, according to a recent ComScore survey.  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/

Microsoft is down one point to 5.7 percent (of smartphone subscribers with Microsoft’s Windows Phone and older Windows Mobile platforms) from the 6.7 percent it enjoyed in April.  Microsoft lags greatly behind the two largest players, with Google at 41.8 percent and Apple at 27 percent.  Read Original Content

Samsung is finally releasing its Galaxy S2 smartphone in the U.S.  The smartphone rivals the rumored specs of the forthcoming iPhone 5, which analysts expect to arrive in September or October.  Read Original Content

Enterprise Mobility Report Now Available from Kevin Benedict

I am offering a free report on enterprise mobility for everyone that completes the new enterprise mobility survey.  At the end of the survey is a place for you to leave your name and email address.  I will send the results of this survey in a report to all participants.  I believe we can all learn some very interesting, and perhaps unexpected information from this survey that will help us all plan and develop good mobile strategies. 


*************************************************************
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.

Mobile Marketing News Weekly - Week of August 29, 2011

The Mobile Marketing News Weekly is an online newsletter that is made up of the most interesting news, articles and links related to mobile marketing that I run across each week.  I am specifically targeting market size and market trend information.

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

Juniper Research predicts that mobile phone coupons will attract 300 million users redeeming $6 billion in value by 2014.  Read Original Content

According to GIA, the global market for location-based advertising is projected to reach $12.8 billion by the year 2017.  Read Original Content

InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile ad network reported that during the second quarter of 2011, mobile ad impressions in the Asian market increased by 17 percent to include 8 billion new impressions.  Read Original Content

Pyxis Mobile provides an agile, powerful, and secure mobile enterprise application platform.  It enables rapid cross-platform application development, unlimited data integration, enterprise-grade security, and the unique ability to change and update applications in real time.  This newsletter is sponsored in part by Pyxis Mobile, http://pyxismobile.com.

The HP TouchPad is the little engine that could, except it got shut down.  According to mobile ad agency Jumptab, HP tablet computers are catching up with Android tablets when comparing the amount of advertising revenue generated through these devices.  Read Original Content

Pandora, the internet radio service, announced that its second quarter experienced $58 million in advertising revenues, $30 million coming from mobile advertising sales which reflects over 50 percent of total ad dollars generated.  Read Original Content

Mobility Charts Weekly - Week of August 29, 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.



New research suggests that the smart meter market in Europe will grow significantly throughout the current decade.  With help from government mandates and new laws, smart meters in Europe are expected to reach 206 million meters by 2020.  Read Original Content



A new Neilsen study has found that the overall U.S. sales of Android smartphones have leveled out compared to the rest of smartphone sales, while iPhones have gained new momentum after having been out sold by Android in prior months.  Currently 55 percent of overall mobile phones sales are made up by smartphones.  Read Original Content



In April 2011 a reader survey conducted by Business Insider found that when shopping for a new smartphone, customers make their decisions based on which platform a device runs on more so than comparing various features, different app inventories and other key offerings.  Read Original Content



A recent Chadwick Martin Bailey study indicates that smartphones are a growing part of the shopping experience, with more than half of today’s estimated 69.5 million smartphone users in the U.S. using their device while shopping.  The top smartphone user practices include comparing prices, finding store locations, and checking for discounts.  Read Original Content

*************************************************************
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.

Predictions about HTML5

Gil "Rambo"Bouhnick
My friend Gil Bouhnick recently wrote an article where he made a bold prediction - HTML5 will Rule Enterprise Mobility by 2013.  I like a person that has an opinion and is willing to share it. 

Here is an exerpt, "With or without native extensions, by 2013 I predict that the war will be over. No one in the enterprise software industry will start a project just for iPhone, or just for Windows Phone 7. Html5 will be a certified standard or very close to that. It will support all the native access required by the market, and who knows, it may even be able to run outside a browser or any other native replacement. It will be the way to go, just like web is today's obvious preferred way for desktop applications."

I would encourage you to read the following three articles on HTML5 if you are interested in the thoughts of a veteran enterprise mobility expert:
  1. Prediction: By 2013, Html5 Will Rule Enterprise Mobility
  2. The Truth about HTML5, Part 1
  3. The Truth about HTML5, Part 2
Do you agree with Gil?  Share your comments 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.

Mobile Commerce News Weekly - Week of August 29, 2011


The Mobile Commerce News Weekly is an online newsletter made up of the most interesting news, articles and links related to mobile payments, mobile money, e-wallets, mobile banking and mobile security that I run across each week.  I am specifically targeting market size and market trend information.

Also read Field Mobility News Weekly
Also read Mobile Marketing News Weekly
Also read Mobility News Weekly
Also read M2M News Weekly
Also read Mobility ROI Weekly

According to a KPMG survey, within the next four years mobile payments will become common practice when purchasing goods and services.  Read Original Content

According to Juniper Research the mobile payment market could reach $670 billion by 2015.  Read Original Content

Recent ABI Research indicates that retailers have already spent $220.9 million this year on mobile devices to enhance consumers’ shopping experience, and it is predicted that U.S. mobile shopping sales volume will reach $9 billion in 2011.  Read Original Content

Pyxis Mobile provides an agile, powerful, and secure mobile enterprise application platform.  It enables rapid cross-platform application development, unlimited data integration, enterprise-grade security, and the unique ability to change and update applications in real time.  This newsletter is sponsored in part by Pyxis Mobile, http://pyxismobile.com/

Four major credit card companies along with mobile payment provider Isis are collaborating to create security applications for NFC-enabled smartphones.  Isis is currently being supported by Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile USA.  Read Original Content

A new report by Forrester Research shows that mobile banking in Canada has grown by 8 percent in the past two years.  Read Original Content

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.






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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.

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





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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.

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

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


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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.

Click Here!

Enterprise Mobility, Netcentric Operations and Military Mobility

Network Based Operations
I read an article today summarizing a speech by Vice Adm. William McRaven, commander of the Navy’s Joint Special Operations Command where he was detailing the special forces needs for mobile solutions, networks and communications.  In his speech, McRaven detailed areas where he would like to see improvements.
  1. Easy access to networks that include newer technologies like tablets and smartphones.
  2. A universal domain.  "So I can pick up my iPhone or Android phone and communicate with all the folks I need to communicate with and not have to worry about security protocols." 
  3. Improved reception would help forces receive and better understand information.
  4. Improved cloud computing. “We need a soft enterprise cloud that allows me in a platform-independent way to access any data located anywhere within our enterprise,” McRaven said.
  5. He would like a full spectrum search engine that lets warfighters and commanders find all relevant data that’s available in top secret, secret and unclassified domains.
  6. Real time video language translation.
  7. Ironclad mobile security
  8. Improved communications for squads that are traveling to operations. He said teams can’t be out of communication during the critical time when they are headed toward the theater of operations.
I subscribe to a number of military newsletters such as, http://www.defensesystems.com/ that focus on the network centric approach to warfare, because I believe these extreme operational environments can teach the field services industry a great deal.  Mobile Technology and mobile workforce strategies being tested in the battlefield environment today, may offer valuable insights and lessons to the service industry of tomorrow.

Upcoming Events

Field Mobility 2011 - October 25 - 27, 2011
Enterprise Mobility Exchange - November 2 - 3, 2011

Whitepapers of Note

The Business Benefits of Mobile Adoption with SAP Systems
ClickSoftware Mobility Suite and Sybase Mobility Solution
Mobile Adoption Among Gas and Electric Utilities
Mobile Adoption in Life Sciences
Mobile Adoption in Oil and Gas
Networked Field Services

Recorded Webinars of Note

3 Critical Considerations for Embracing Mobile CRM
Healthrageous Mobility Case Study
The Latest m-Business Trends and How the Onslaught of Mobile Devices Affects Development Strategies
The Real-Time Mobile Enterprise:  The Benefits of Rapid, Easy Access
Syclo and SAP Deliver Mobile Apps on Sybase Unwired Platform 

Ruggedized and Industrial Mobile Device Articles

Consumer Smartphones or Industrial Smartphones?

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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.

Interviews with Kevin Benedict