The Mobile Opportunity - are you missing it?
It has been a ‘Microsoft’ themed week for me having attended two Microsoft events. The second,’The Mobile Opportunity - are you missing it?’ was said to be ’sold out’ (it was actually free) in only two days. There were about 170 delegates present and I guess the level of interest in mobile could have resulted in a significantly larger event.
The main Microsoft message was Windows Mobile’s suitability for the enterprise, in particular, for email and mobile access to Exchange data. It was also demonstrated that Windows Mobile is useful for much more than email, including messaging, CRM, and custom or semi-custom applications. There was a useful overview the current status of wireless standards and the issues to be addressed to manage mobility securely.
Some interesting things came out of this…
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Microsoft’s new ‘push’ email, in Windows Mobile 5 and Exchange 2005, actually uses a http request (some might say this is a ‘pull’!) with a long timeout (15 mins). If email arrives at the server, the server responds and an Activesync sync is initiated to retrieve the email. If no email arrives at the server then the request just times out and the mobile device sends another http request. This gives instant email to rival that of BlackBerry. Each http request is only 307 bytes and the 15 seconds can be made dynamic so that it ‘polls’ during known quiet times. Hence the monthly quiescent through is only about 700K/month.
This is an interesting idea that might be used in other types of mobile application which require instant notification.
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The above implements ‘RPC over http’ which allows access to email (and Exchange data) without a VPN. It all uses the same web service as Outlook/Activesync. This is the technology Symbian/Nokia have licenced so that other types of device can also access Exchange data. i.e. The desktop Activesync has NOT been licensed.
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Windows Mobile 5 (together with Exchange 2005) will include facilities to enforce policies on users. For example, use of the device password and wiping the device in defined circumstances. Interestingly, a little-known SMS Device Management Pack already exists to allow software inventory, file collection, software distribution, script execution, settings management and password policy management.
Talking with other people at the event, I gained the following impressions…
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There were many people from companies using BlackBerry devices and looking for a better solution that can handle data (e.g. attachments) better out of the box.
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There were many people using or implementing mobile workforce type applications using WiFi rather than GPRS/3G even though the former were seen to be more expensive. It’s a case of reliability.
Jonathan Ralphs, CEO of Infomill, gave an informative presentation on ‘Building Mobile Applications’. His insights echoed many things I have also seen when working with companies…
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Most companies (63%) do not have a mobile strategy.
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A large number of mobile projects are controlled outside of companies’ usual IT departments.
(I would add they are also often funded outside usual funding pools) -
It’s best to get end users involved at the concept stage of a project.
(I have also seen too many projects stall and subsequently change immediately prior to rollout due to companies not involving the users) -
Only 100% coverage is generally acceptable to mobile engineers.
(Hence the current use of WiFi) -
Mobile projects often incorrectly fall outside the normal company software engineering processes. (e.g. KPIs, business process requirements, infrastructure design, planning)
It was a useful event with Microsoft playing on Windows Mobile’s strengths…
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Tight integration with enterprise systems.
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Support/tools for controlling security/rollout/maintainance of devices in the field.
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Ease of developing custom or semi-custom mobile applications.