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This is the 3rd article in a series on using Mobile computing. There are many considerations for firms to consider when building mobile and wireless-internet based systems. It is a complicated topic and involves ego’s, hardware, software, networks, processes and most importantly making profit
Topics to be covered:
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1.
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Processes and methodologies to follow
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2.
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Vertical markets where wireless and mobile is driving profit
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3.
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Hardware, devices and selection criteria firms need to use
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4.
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Software, applications and selection criteria firms need to use
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5.
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ROI models
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6.
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Real World examples and Case Studies of Wireless architectures
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7.
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The Future of Standards, devices and networks and their impact on business productivity and processes in Canada
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2. Vertical Markets where Mobile is driving Profit
Once I understand Wireless and Mobile computing what follows?
In business you always want to map technology onto your real, true business process. 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, the type of data analysis you will perform and the information which is available on your clients and on your business process.
Once you have followed #1 in the steps above you should have a clear indication if Wireless can help your firm. Typically we see mobile and wireless technologies in the following industries where there is a distributed and extended business process with many actors in the supply chain:
 Warehousing- Transport and Logistics
- Consumer and Retail Goods
- Utilities
- Some Financial Systems
- Sales Force Automation in above industries
- Field Force Automation in above industries
- Some systems for Executives in horizontal industries
The reasons why these industries are using wireless and mobile technologies largely results from the critical role information plays in their business process and the many actors that act on the information within the business process. All of the above industries are reliant on many people to conclude a transaction both internally and externally.
For example a Consumer Goods Sales Rep will need to go on site to the Supermarket location, meet with buyers, record complaints, orders or requests, do shelve audits and perhaps record observations about the competition. This information needs to be fed back into the firm’s IT system as soon as possible and ‘rolled’ up into reports with similar information collected from other Sales Reps. Management can then view reports and makes appropriate decisions. Such information gathering and input can easily be done using Wireless and Mobile handhelds or laptops. The Sales Rep can then send the information or request information on the spot at the store via a Wireless public network connection or at home or at the office via the Internet. The application running on the device will provide the Sales Rep all the information he needs to have to do his job effectively.
For example orders, product information, inventory levels can also be shared between the Sales Rep and the internal system so that for instance he sells the right quantity [which is in stock] at the right
price with the right discount and sends the order immediately over the Wireless network or the Internet for immediate processing. The sales and cash flow cycles are thus improved as is reliability and client support. It simply is a more professional system and such systems DO impact a client’s perception of its supplier. As well it will result in paper and error reduction and improved margins as less time is required to service existing or new accounts.
In effect any firm that relies on real time data needs mobile information exchanges and updates. The main reasons why the above industries and systems engage in wireless and mobile technologies are:
- Client requests for better service and information
- Reducing client complaints on mis-shipments, bad product or bad service
- Reducing poor paper based processes
- Making sure the correct inventory, price and product data are correct and known to the Field or distributed Forces
- Ensure that inventory levels are correct or that shipments are done on time
- Reducing data input and manual human error, resulting from an inefficiently built paper system
- Firm which need to reduce costs, headcount and poor internal information exchange
- Competition is using mobile and wireless technologies and is faster, leaner and smarter
The networks have become more reliable and devices are now better, faster, lighter, with multiple capabilities; cell, data, email, internet, and processing capacity. Prices for network access, hardware and software are falling. The question is what hardware and devices and software does a firm choose ? See our next article for answers.
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
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