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Navigating Device Choices for Enterprise Mobile Apps: Consumer vs. Rugged Solutions

In this third installment of our series on mobile applications in the enterprise, we explore the critical decision-making process behind device selection for diverse use cases, including sales, fieldwork, and executive dashboards. We weigh the benefits and drawbacks of consumer hardware versus rugged devices, considering factors like network reliability, security needs, and application sourcing. Understand when to opt for consumer platforms and when robust solutions are necessary for extreme environments. This guide equips decision-makers with insights to make informed choices in their mobile strategy.

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Navigating Device Choices for Enterprise Mobile Apps: Consumer vs. Rugged Solutions

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  1. Device Conundrum:What’s Best? Presented by Sean Gallagher sean@seanmgallagher.com Mobile Apps in the Enterprise, Part 3

  2. The Device Selection Decision Tree: • Use case: • Field, extreme condition, fleet • Mobile info worker • Sales • Executive / decision support • Customer-facing • Network availability • Campus • Customer site • Mobile metropolitan • Unreliable / occasionally connected network (2G/3G) • Security requirements • Will company control config? • Two-factor authentication • Network access controls • Password protection • Other security requirements • Application sourcing • Internally developed • Off-the-shelf • Custom-coded • Adapted from Web app

  3. Is Consumer Hardware an Option? • Upsides of consumer devices: • "BYOT" option for sales/executives • Cheaper than rugged options by more than 50% • Growing number of commercial apps • Increasing hardware form-factor choices • Downsides: • Hardware lifecycle is a moving target • Fragile, suited only to casual/indoor information worker use without add-ons or modification • Lack of established track record for anything but email and consumer apps

  4. When to Consider Consumer Platforms • Casual/occasional use • Consumer-centric • On-premises mobile • Information worker • Executive "dashboard" • Voice/telephony integration • Availability of "off the shelf" apps and cloud services • Expanding number of peripherals suited to business needs (POS, printer enabled, Bluetooth accessories)

  5. When ‘Consumer’ Hardware Doesn’t Cut It • Extreme environments • Extreme storage requirements • High risk of droppage • Barcode reading – commercial device imaging still falls short • Keypad intensive • Security essential (two factor, data encryption on device)

  6. Rugged Options for Mobile: Most Are Windows CE • Panasonic Toughbooks (Windows 7) • Motorola Symbol • Unitech • Trimble

  7. What Form Factor? • Key decision points: • Data entry requirements • Automated: requires barcode read, credit card reader, external peripheral? • Video / audio / image • Keying-in of data • Touch capture • How much local processing/data storage?

  8. Application Decisions That Impact Form Factor • Using a pre-packaged app or developing custom? • If custom, where's your organizational comfort zone/skillset? • If packaged, form factor may be dictated by platform/system requirements • Direct integration with enterprise infrastructure, or use of cloud services / SaaS?

  9. Use Case: Sales • Tablet vs. smartphone • Email vs. interactivity – need a keyboard? • Imaging, POS required?

  10. Use Case: Executive Information System • Most commercial mobile report reader/executive dashboard tools (Corda, Novatek) are on iOS • Apple display capabilities lead here

  11. Use Case: EMR • Virtualization or cloud driven? • Imaging requirements • Required screen real estate

  12. Use Case: Small Business • Support for cloud / SaaS access • Off-the-shelf apps for POS, contact management

  13. Google Android Unrestricted development Easier, cheaper development for prototyping, hacking (no “locked” devices) Tablet support is emerging, but no commercial runaway hit Android tablets (Nook?) Broader carrier choice (well, sort of) Multiple versions Java-based dev Which Is Best for Developers? • Apple iOS devices • Largest volume of app downloads and purchases • Apple marketing machine • Two form factors, separate UI issues (sizing); tablet support is good • Enterprise: can set up own “store” and deploy to specific devices. • Consumer: need to follow Apple interface guidelines, get approval for iTunes App Store • Objective C (or something that complies with it)

  14. What About Windows Mobile? • Windows CE/Mobile 5.x / 6.x still best option for Windows-focused development shops, thick mobile client apps • Windows 7 Mobile is a new, different platform, requires a hard look

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