Editor’s Note: With 2013 now upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from leading industry analysts and executives on what they expect to see in the new year.
If 2011 was the year of the mobile consumer app, then 2012 was the year mobile tablets conquered IT security in enterprises. So the stage is set for 2013 to be the year of the mobile enterprise app.
On this we have two predictions:
1. The over hyped capability of HTML5 will be exposed and its use more reasonably profiled to irregularly used enterprise-to-consumer apps, mobile BI and internal wireless extension of administration functions – like expense or travel claims. The end user demand for apps with speed and the ability to work off line will drive native app development for those business areas that have a substantial return on investment for the company.
2. IT will have to reassess their approach to mobile platforms to address what is needed by the business. To explain, mobile apps need to be at the pointy end of business – where your company achieves its differentiation as it interacts with customers, whether that is via field staff interaction whilst delivering services or sales or direct consumer apps. Consequently, the mobile medium needs innovation in how it reflects specific workflows in your company whilst also adhering to fundamental IT laws of security, easy recovery and performance.
Most importantly, your mobile solution should not be the same as your competitors.
The mantra of standard systems that has worked in ERP and EAM environments is simply invalid when it comes to core field apps like inspections, service delivery, sales, quality assessments or customer apps. This will put pressure on CIOs to deliver innovation specific to their company, to do it at the high speed that the market demands and to keep changing these solutions as company strategy changes.
Mobility is a new paradigm that needs a new approach and the inconvenience of finding new answers will need to be faced.
