Kevin Benedict Ponders the Future

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:

Enterprise asset management
Mobile work order dispatch
Field services
Parts and equipment consumption
Maintenance
Job costing/time tracking
Mobile resource management applications

It is easy to forget, with all the buzz around iPhones, iPads, Android and BlackBerrys, that there is another large and growing market for industrial grade mobility applications using Microsoft OSs.

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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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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

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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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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!

This is a very interesting time for those involved in SAP mobility, and I look forward to participating in as many events as I can. I will be participating in a mobile SAP CRM webinar on April 27, in an SAP Insider event in Palo Alto on April 30, and attending many mobility events at Sapphire the week of May 16 in Orlando, Florida.

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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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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.
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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.
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