Mobile software applications: When designing mobile software applications, is it worthwhile to have continuous online connections? Take a look at standards and implementation options for creating a successful and effective corporate mobile application.

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by Jim Geier, principal, Wireless-Nets Ltd. Intel Corp.

Take a closer look at standards and implementation options for creating a successful and effective corporate mobile application.

Mobile software enables enterprise users to work more efficiently when they are away from their desks. But, when designing mobile software applications, developers need to consider whether it's worthwhile to have continuous online connections for users.

With an offline application, mobile software stores data on the client device, a configuration that doesn't permit the movement of information between the client device and a server while the user is moving around a facility. A person making use of an asset management application, for example, scans item bar codes that the application software stores on the memory card within the user device. At some point, the user connects the mobile device to a PC and uploads the corresponding data to a server. Of course this process doesn't involve wireless connectivity, except for the possibility of using a short-range wireless Bluetooth or Infra-Red (IrDA) connection when synchronizing the data.

An online wireless network solution automatically transmits data over a wireless network to the server, which eliminates the need to perform the manual data synchronization step. This enables the storing of data centrally on the server instead of on the handheld, making the data readily available to the application software and other users.

Offline solutions are effective for many applications, but think about how your application works and then decide whether it's sensible to go wireless. For example, consider the tolerance of time delays when moving data back and forth between the user devices and the server. In some cases, such as web browsing, wireless may be an easy choice because users need the ability to continuously surf from site to site. Most control applications, such as sending guidance information to roving robots in a hospital, also require immediate updates sent over a wireless network. If the movement of data is needed quickly, then wireless is probably the way to go.

Wireless network standards

The most common wireless network technology for supporting online applications in enterprises is IEEE 802.11, also known as Wi-Fi. A typical Wi-Fi wireless LAN consists of multiple access points throughout a facility that creates an interwoven collection of radio cells. Each access point provides wireless communications to users within its cell area and connects via a cable to a wired switch infrastructure. Each mobile user device has a radio interface card that associates with the nearest access point and is able to communicate wirelessly to any other wireless device or other resources connected to the wired infrastructure, such as the Internet.



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