David Elliott

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Creating Real World Wireless Solutions
Sybase Tools User Network June 2001, Chesham, UK
David Elliott Noblestar Email delliott_at_noblestar.
co.uk
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agenda

• Wireless and wired
• Wireless as a disruptive technology
• Solutions in the real world
• The right solution
• The right workflow
• The right architecture
• The right device
• The right integration
• Total Cost of Ownership the hidden costs
• Real world case studies
• Conclusions

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noblestar

• Established in 1987
• eBusiness mBusiness solutions provider
• Headquartered in Reston, VA
• Offices in United States Europe
• Team of 400 professionals
• Independent / Best Practice advice,
  consultancy and solutions
• Focus on strategic relationships
• 5 years of wireless and mobile experience.

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wireless and wired solutions

• Wireless, or mobile, solutions for corporations
  often extend existing wired systems.
• Makes key information and services available to
  staff when most needed.
• What is wireless?
• Computing and information access away from the
  desk and office.
• Can be mobile phones only.
• Can be PDAs only.
• Can be PDA and phones together to provide
  wireless connectivity.
• Can be specific integrated devices.

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wired business processes are the backbone
the enterprise (B)
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wireless as a disruptive technology

• disruptive technology enables innovative
  organizations to engineer new business models
  that

• alter the basis of competition and the economics
  in their industry
• spawn entirely new industries
• foster new business relationships

wireless will disrupt the status quo!
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patterns of disruptive technology
performance
high-end requirement
low-end requirement
mainstream technology
(wired)
time
market shift
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key wireless enablers

144/384/2000 kbps
19.6 -144 kbps
9.6 -14.4 kbps
2001
2002
2000
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applications follow bandwidth devices
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3G build-out brings bandwidth
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solutions in the real world

• Wireless solutions are not currently being
  implemented for the sake of it.
• There are great devices and tools out there to
  ease the pain of implementing a wireless
  solution.
• But, the space is still maturing and there is a
  lot of risk in wireless implementation.

So, what does it take for a wireless solution to
work in the real world?
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real world wireless properties

• The best wireless applications should
• improve the business process
• provide value to the user first, and then the
  business benefits will follow.
• simple and easy to use
• time sensitive
• alert driven and actionable
• location based
• personalised

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real world the right solution

• Is a mobile solution really required?Could a
  paper-based system do the job?
• Does it need to be wireless or just
  disconnected?Is the data needed back at the
  office right now or just at the end of the day?
• What is the timeliness requirement of data?Up to
  the minute data (eg stockquotes) or just up to
  date data (eg pricelists)
• How does it benefit the user?Can they close
  deals faster? Do they have all the information
  they need at hand?
• Get the requirements, then, look at the technology

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real world the right solutionthe place in the
enterprise

• When it has been determined that a wireless
  solution is necessary, then look at its place in
  the enterprise.
• How does the wireless solution fit into the
  enterprise?
• How does it integrate with existing backend
  systems?(eg ERP / CRM)
• How will it impact the support teams, help desk
  etc?

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enterprise systems
what is needed for digital business systems today?

• reliable
• secure
• robust
• scalable

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development platform for today
databases pkg apps
business logic
web server
pc browser
a multi-tier architecture
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enterprise systems
what is needed for digital business systems
tomorrow ?

• reliable
• secure
• robust
• scalable

• extensible
• handle transactions from multiple devices PCs,
  PDAs, digital phones, pagers, hybrids

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extensible platform for tomorrow
optimizes content for the device
wireless users
databases pkg apps
business logic
web server
presentation server
wired users
the new multi-tier architecture
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real world the right workflow

• No mobile solution will be accepted unless it is
  part of a whole workflow for the user.
• How do they use the application / device during
  the day?
• How do they use the software during a visit?
• What else are they carrying?
• What other information do they need?
• How can integrated technology assist?(eg barcode
  scanners, RF wireless LAN, wireless connections)
• Aim Improve workflow and efficiency to take the
  tedious bits out of the job.

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workflow aids integrated technology

• Integrated devices can really provide a workflow
  value add.
• Examples are
• Barcode scanners
• Imagers
• Swipe card readers
• RF wireless LAN
• Wireless modems (GSM etc)
• How can this save time and increase accuracy?
• All part of making the workflow more efficient.

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real world the right architecture

• The wireless industry changes every month!
• New products, technologies, services become
  available.
• It can be overwhelming, confusing and potentially
  a hindrance (eg unstable products).
• To enable value for the life of the wireless
  solution, it needs to be architected for the
  future.
• Architect for tomorrow, build for today
• Know what is coming so it can be taken advantage
  of as soon as it is available (eg widespread GPRS)

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real world the right device

• The device must not get in the way of the
  solution!!
• When looking at the device options, consider the
  following
• Ruggedness what environments will it be working
  in?
• Battery life will it last a full shift?
• Size of device is it easy to hold?
• Weight can it be carried around by the worker?
• Operating system Palm OS, Windows CE, EPOC etc
• Input types touch screen, keypad, barcodes,
  etc.
• Human Language support for user interface
• Attractiveness / image is it for corporate
  execs or for delivery reps on the road? Is it
  likely to be attractive for theft (if an issue)?

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mobile devices

• laptop / notebook
• personal organizer
• digital phone
• satellite phone
• pager
• integrated phone / pda

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more integrated devices on their way
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real world the right integration

• Does data have to get back to the corporate
  network?
• If so, where to and what needs to be processed?
• How are conflicts resolved?
• Who can edit what on the device and backend.
• What ERP / CRM systems need to be interfaced?
• How is this to be done?
• Integration with support teams and helpdesk.
• Semi automated help available. E.g. a monitor of
  battery life sends an SMS to the rep when the
  batteries are getting critically low reminding
  them to recharge.

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real world the right integration

• There is the human element of integration also to
  be considered.
• Peoples workflows are impacted, so how is this
  dealt with?
• What training is required?
• Device usage (change can be similar to the days
  of training people to use a Windows based PC)
• Software usage
• Device peripherals, e.g. battery charging

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real world total cost of ownership

• Supporting mobile workers costs three times as
  much as desktop support GIGA Information Group
• Another estimate is that the Total Cost of
  Ownership of a wireless device is 5 times the
  purchase price of device.
• Management and support is the hidden cost.
• Device failure can be costly in terms of lost
  time and business.
• Therefore, for real world deployments, a device
  management solution is critical.
• Examples Afaria, ScoutWare, Extended Connect,
  Callisto.

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real world noblestar case studies
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real world noblestar case studies
00
99
00
New York State Department of Parole
mobile solution manages casework, tracks
parolee status
Strategy.com
wireless Palm application for Palm VII provides
access to financial portal
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real world noblestar case studies
00
01
InteliData InteliData partnership to create
Internet and mobile banking solutions
Ciberion British American Tobacco Upgrade of
handheld field ordering system and architecting a
new handheld solution to integrate with Siebel.
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conclusion

• Wireless solutions are happening now.
• The wireless industry offerings continue to
  change each month.
• Real world wireless solutions meet real world
  business needs.
• Elements of a real world wireless solution are
• The right solution
• The right workflow
• The right architecture
• The right device
• The right integration
• Remember the total cost of ownership for wireless.

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ContactsMark Antipofmantipof_at_noblestar.com
David Elliottdelliott_at_noblestar.com6
Arlington StreetLondonSW1A 1RETel020 7629
4888
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Contacts

• Europe and Southern England
• Mark Antipof
• Mantipof_at_noblestar.com
• Tel [phone]

• Scotland, Ireland and Northern
  
  
  
  
  
  England
• Howard Little
• Hlittle_at_noblestar.com
• Tel [phone]

6 Arlington Street London SW1A 1RE Tel [phone]
4888