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Do you start developing your mobile software project with a blank computer screen, or do you start with a packaged mobile middleware solution that has a development environment included? Again, your success is heavily reliant on your expertise in custom mobile application design and development. If you have experience developing mobile middleware applications and custom mobile software

applications, then using a packaged application is less important. If you don’t have experience and are working with a limited budget and timeframe, then it is crucial that you select a mobile application development solution to expedite the project.

Mobile solutions can provide bar-code scanning, digital images, GPS, RFID, data synchronization, enterprise database queries, integration with inventory, scheduling, work order, accounting and many other enterprise software applications. How will these capabilities change the way the feld user works?

Most successful projects involve a series of phased implementations. Each phase can be developed, tested and implemented in an orderly manner. Once a phase is deployed and proven, additional phases can be layered on top that include more features and added complexity. Remember, the more data requirements that you add the more data you must synchronize, and the longer each synchronization session will take. Only synchronize data that your remote users require in the feld. Be aware that most mobile devices don’t have the same CPU power or memory as a PC/laptop, so understand the performance of your application on mobile devices before designing the solution.

The term“mobile devices” can have many diferent interpretations. Today, laptops, tablet PCs, UMPCs, PDAs and smart phones are all identifed with this term. When determining the best mobile device for your project, you will want to consider screen size,

data storage capacity, security, physical working environment, required hardware accessories, such as barcode scanners, GPS, digital cameras, RFID, and the ability to upgrade the device with updated hardware and software components.

How do you connect your mobile device to your enterprise database applications? You have many options, including cradle, WiFi, satellite, Bluetooth, wireless, dial-up modems and satellite uplinks to name a few. The method(s) you choose will be afected by how often your mobile workers need to send/receive data. How much data will be transmitted and will they always have connectivity? Study each option, study your working environment and consult your mobility partner to make the best selections.

Once you have completed the frst phase of your mobile solution and you are ready to deploy in the real world, roll out your solution to a group of trusted and motivated feld users. Defne a specifc period of time to evaluate the solution, document the results and identify any required changes and improvements. The result of this evaluation should be an improved mobile solution that is ready for a wider deployment.

Mobile devices are small computers with the ability to store sensitive corporate data, communicate this data over the Internet and even catch viruses. You must clearly communicate how mobile devices are to be used and for what purpose. Establish and publish guidelines for using mobile devices.

Mobile devices are guaranteed to break. What is your plan for keeping a mobile worker productive and communicating business critical information when their mobile device ceases to function or gets misplaced? These are inevitable issues that are best planned for in advance. Have a plan and a documented back-up process.