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. 


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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.

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

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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.

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.


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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.

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.



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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 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




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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.

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.






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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.

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


*************************************************************
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?

*************************************************************
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 22, 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

Android is expected to be the top global mobile ad platform by the end of the year, according to the latest quarterly analysis from independent mobile advertising network InMobi.  Read Original Content

Google this week released a new tablet based online catalogue that promotes mobile shopping through devices.  Google Catalogs includes content from Anthropologie, Bare Escentuals, Bergdorf Goodman, Crate and Barrel, L.L. Bean, Lands' End, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, Sundance, Tea Collection, Urban Outfitters and Williams-Sonoma.  Read Original Content

A Georgia hospital is using Quick Response codes in its advertising to make it easier for women to schedule mammograms.  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.

Portio Research reports that the mobile application user base is expected to hit 256 million people by 2015, growing at 37 percent yearly.  Read Original Content

A survey by JiWire reports that 63 percent of UK participants are willing to give up personnel information in order to receive relevant updates on their mobile devices.  In the United States that number is 60 percent.  Read Original Content

Mobile Expert Podcast Series: Psion's Gregg Anderson, Part 2

This is Part 2 of this audio podcast with Psion's Gregg Anderson (listen to Part 1 here).  Psion is the manufacturer of ruggedized mobile devices.  They support the use of mobile devices in the dirt, water, dust, heat and cold.  They have very interesting stories, experiences and advice to share.





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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.

Mobile Expert Podcast Series: Psion's Gregg Anderson, Part 1

Some of the most interesting discussions about real world enterprise mobility are with people involved in the ruggedized handheld industry.  These guys/gals work day in and day out supporting equipment designed for environments covered in dust, water, mud, heat and cold.  Their mobile devices must withstand constant exposure to these environments, drops, scrapes and impacts.  In Part 1 of this audio podcast I am interviewing industry veteran Gregg Anderson with Psion about what makes the industrial grade and ruggedized handheld market different from other mobility markets.

Listen to Part 2 of this audio podcast interview 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.

Enterprise Mobility Solutions with Depth and Width

Some enterprise mobility solutions are "containers", "shells", "frameworks", "libraries" or "scripts."  They don't in themselves have a lot of business logic or business process expertise.  These kinds of enterprise mobility solutions often provide interesting low cost efficiency improvements, but the efficiency gains are typically small incremental improvements.  Enterprise mobility vendors, however, that bring to the table depth and width in their business logic and business process expertise can revolutionize the way a company operates and significantly impact the company's bottom line.

Often companies will start with simple low cost mobile solutions to test the waters and to demonstrate some efficiency improvements, but the best in class will move beyond that and research how the new world of mobility can actually revolutionize their business.

Let me provide as an example of depth and width, an excerpt from ClickSoftware's recent software update announcement.

This offering optimizes the deployment of the entire workforce; not just those employees out in the field, but also those who are office/plant based, using the same Workforce Management Platform. This means that employees can be quickly aligned to company objectives across any number of businesses or departments regardless of their role. 

This update reaches beyond just dispatching work orders to mobile service technicians, it now seems to include the ability to optimize the schedule and deployment of all workers in all departments  This requires sophisticated and complex business logic (depth and width).  These new kinds of optimized workforce scheduling solutions also include mobile clients.  Here is more on that:

ClickSoftware’s Mobility Studio now allows enterprises to build and configure mobility applications that utilize the latest HTML5 standards so that they are device agnostic.

It is my opinion that the business logic and business process expertise is where the most value comes from in any mobile solution.  The more you can simplify the enterprise mobility component the better.  Here is more on that topic:

Version 8.1.5 adds to this the Business Views Engine enabling business users with no technical ability to create and configure modular mobile applications with no coding, and using drag and drop wizards to meet role-based requirements.

To truly revolutionize your business, you need depth and width in your mobile applications that provide sophisticated algorithms, in-depth business logic and business process expertise.  Revolutionary mobility is not usually simple mobility.  It takes some thought and execution to be best in class.

Upcoming Events


Build vs. Buy:  Mobile App Development Webinar - August 24, 2011
Field Mobility 2011, Sydney - 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?

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

ClickSoftware field service management software

Mobile Commerce News Weekly - Week of August 22, 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

According to Visiongain there are currently 150 million mobile payment users and that number will likely grow at 30 percent yearly for the near future.  Read Original Content

The recently released BlackBerry Bold includes an NFC feature allowing owners to pay for goods using the mobile device.  Read Original Content

New York City is testing a mobile payment parking meter program that will allow people to pay for parking spots through their mobile phones.  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/

Narian, a mobile payment company, has recently produced a new software program designed to allow retail companies to easily create mobile payment apps for use in their stores.  Read Original Content

For the second consecutive year, Wells Fargo & Company has been named "Best Consumer Internet Bank" and "Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank" in the United States by Global Finance magazine.  This award includes an analysis of a company’s mobile banking features.  Read Original Content

Kevin's Random Notes on HTML5 for Enterprise Mobility Solutions

Question: Why would enterprises use HTML5 instead of native mobile applications?

Answer: Simplicity is one reason to use HTML5 web apps, as opposed to native apps built specifically for each mobile device. Apps built for Apple, Android, and BlackBerry are not inter-compatible, so being able to use one single app for all devices is a huge time-saver for developers.

Question:  What mobile devices support HTML5?

Answer: An HTML5 web app only requires a compatible browser, which most current mobile devices have.

Question:  Where can I read more about HTML5's ability to store data offline?

Answer: Mobile Web applications in HTML5 can also store data offline by caching external dependencies for offline Web browsing and locally caching data until connectivity is restored.”  (http://learnthemobileweb.com/2010/06/html5-and-mobile-web/

Question: Where can I find best practices for using HTML5?

Answer:  The W3C has developed recommended mobile web application best practices. The most recent version, released December 14, 2010, is available here: http://www.w3.org/TR/mwabp/

Question:  What open source vendors provide HTML5 development frameworks?

Answer:  Just about all mobility vendors of significance, open source or not are supporting HTML5 today.  Here are some vendors I have come across recently -  Sencha Touch is a mobile JavaScript framework that allows development of mobile web apps that “look and feel native on iPhone, Android and Blackberry touch devices.” The company provides a free commercial version, as well as a free version for open-source projects. http://www.sencha.com/products/touch/ 

Another product, DHTMLX Touch, is a free HTML5 JavaScript library for building cross-platform mobile web apps. “It’s not just a set of UI widgets, but a complete framework that allows you to create eye-catching, robust web applications for mobile and touch devices.” http://dhtmlx.com/touch/

Here’s an article about these and other mobile application framework products using HTML5: http://www.web-delicious.com/7-best-mobile-web-html5-framework-for-mobile-app-development/




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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.

Mobile Expert Video Series: Zenware's Rod Puzey

In this video interview I ask Zenware's COO, Rod Puzey about some of the mobile applications that companies are asking Zenware to custom develop.  The Zenware team is an expert in field mobile data collection and gets involved in many strange and interesting mobility projects.



Upcoming Events


Build vs. Buy:  Mobile App Development - August 24, 2011
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?


*************************************************************
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 22, 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

Two German supermarket chains are using RFID tracking badges on employees to secure warehouses and storage areas from unauthorized access and to reduce theft.  Read Original Content

General Dynamics has recently introduced a new rugged handheld device that is designed for mobile professionals.  The device includes barcode-scanning capability, high-resolution camera and water resistant display screen.  Read Original Content

Construction companies are beginning to provide workers with RFID tracking tags in order to streamline the payment process and to hold workers accountable for their clocked hours.  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/.

With the help from a Canadian grant, lamb producers in Alberta are using an RFID flock management system to increase profits and efficiency.  Read Original Content

Gresso has released a new rugged phone called the Extreme X3 that claims to be water proof at a depth of one meter, shock resistant from a seven-meter drop and able to survive harsh temperatures.  Read Original Content

The Mobility World is Not What it Was a Week Ago!

Click to Enlarge
Wow!  What a week in mobility!  First Google buys Motorola Mobile and gets into the hardware business.  This puts a cash rich competitor into the handset space, and another arrow into RIM (the manufacturers of the Blackberry), and a fatal blow to HP and their webOS aspirations.

HP surrenders the mobile device and mobile operating system battle as there is NO way they can compete against Apple, Google or even RIM.  They are even wanting to leave the PC/laptop market now.  I think they recognize the PC/laptop market is morphing into the same business as mobile devices and they cannot compete against Apple and Google in that space.

Nokia surrendered a few months ago on the software/OS (operating system) battle and partnered with Microsoft.  Now all the major mobile OS players are intimately connected to specific hardware manufacturers.

My analysis, both Apple and Google are inside the "decision cycle" of RIM, Motorola, Nokia, Microsoft and HP.  In another words, Apple and Google are making good strategic decisions and executing them faster than any of the others can even respond.  This according to Colonel John Boyd and his OODA principals, causes confusion, frustration and panic among opponents.  The result is what we have seen this week.

Colonel Boyd says that all battles are won not by technology, but by people.  People with better ways of thinking.  Congratulations Apple and Google teams!

I would invite anyone interested in competitive decision making and strategic thinking to read up on Colonel John Boyd's OODA principals and how they relate to management, competition and strategy.

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

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