|
This article is the first in a series on using Mobile computing which includes the Internet and Wireless in the Real World for workforces, and management in businesses that are distributed themselves. For ‘extended’ businesses using mobile, distributed and wireless systems is a leap into the great unknown. There are many considerations for firms to consider. In these series of articles we will spend time discussing the important components of what he should consider in evaluating and deploying a distributed system – using Wireless, and Internet technologies. It is a complicated topic and involves ego’s, hardware, software, networks, processes and most importantly making profit !
Topics to be covered:
|
1.
|
Processes and methodologies to follow
|
|
2.
|
Vertical markets where wireless and mobile is driving profit
|
|
3.
|
Hardware, devices and selection criteria firms need to use
|
|
4.
|
Software, applications and selection criteria firms need to use
|
|
5.
|
ROI models
|
|
6.
|
Real World examples and Case Studies of Wireless architectures
|
|
7.
|
The Future of Standards, devices and networks and their impact on business productivity and processes in Canada
|
First: What is Mobile and Wireless Computing and Where is it Used ?
Not everyone needs to have a distributed system. Not everyone needs the latest, hottest, coolest or most intelligent technology. What businesses need are simple, easy to use, easy to install and easy to manage technologies to increase productivity, profits and client retention. Period. The rest is mumbo jumbo.
First off what is meant by Mobile and Wireless computing?
Mobile computing can be defined as computing using a distributed system over an area - geographic, within a set of offices or over a dedicated company network – in which the user can access the information systems from many locations. This means they can use laptops, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs] and workstations to do their work in or outside the office. In most of these systems the Internet or a Virtual Private Network is used.
Wireless is the ultimate form of real time Mobile computing. A Wireless system will allow the person to work in or outside the office and connect to the internal systems using the public cell phone network or an internal Wirelesss Network [WLAN]. In such a system the user will sometimes be connected [when in range] and sometimes not. He will connect to the system using a device with a wireless card connected to these networks and if he is not connected he can synchronize the device with his workstation or laptop and send the data via the internet. A wireless system has the potential to be real time and can use many different devices of different sizes to connect to the network.
Now what industries need to use Mobile and Wireless technology? In business you always want to map technology onto your real, true business process. This is critical. You don’t want to buy technology that tells you how your business runs. This is not sensible. You must [and probably do] understand very well how your business process flows and how you can make more money. You then take technology and use it within your business processes, in certain areas to drive profit.
Some key areas to use Mobile and Wireless computing would be the following.
Distributed Sales Forces:
Package and Consumer Goods, Agents, Firms with client service reps or Sales people in the Field servicing and selling.
Warehouses and Shipping:
From receiving product or stock through to shipping it, this process involves a number of distributed steps and it is vital to manage inventory and shipping properly. Many firms have a warehouse and/or shipping function and this is a main area of mobile automation.
Executives and Managers
These people need access to real time client and business data to make decisions and aid in problem solving. Mobile systems can provide important business intelligence to aid in better business decisions.
Distributed offices:
Firms with multi-locations that need transparent data access via the Internet and other devices are natural candidates for Mobile systems. Clean data sorted by client, by product, by issue area is an important competitive advantage. Such data can be viewed through a Portal via the Net or on the device [laptop, cell, PDA].
Second: Understand the Process - Key Phases
There are many steps in considering using technology to change your business processes. A mobile or wireless solution will change just about everything in your company. It will alter your processes, the way your people use data, your reporting, data analysis and your view of your clients. As well it will change the way your IT systems will develop going forward.
The steps involved in evaluating and then seriously piloting and deploying a mobile system would be the following:
Phase One
|
1.
|
Understand what is Mobile and Wireless computing
|
|
2.
|
Understand your own business processes and if Mobile computing can play a role
|
|
3.
|
What is the competition doing ?
|
If you ‘pass’ this phase and decide that yes Mobile computing can offer me something than you would proceed to a more in depth analysis. The main components in this phase are:
Pase Two
|
1.
|
Creating the business case for the system
|
|
2.
|
Understanding the requirements
|
|
3.
|
Creating and selecting the architecture
|
|
4.
|
Communicating the architecture
|
|
5.
|
Analyzing the architecture
|
|
6.
|
Implementing the system
|
|
7.
|
Ensuring implementation conforms to the architecture
|
In the coming series of articles we will look at each of the components of these phases – starting with ‘Phase One’ as we explore in more detail how to use Mobile and Wireless computing to make profit.
Craig Read
Craig is a director of IT at a Toronto based mobile and wireless firm. Craig also founded the Toronto Wireless User Group which now has well over a hundred members www.torwug.org He can be reached at
|
