Features

Getting Enterprise Data onto Multiple Platforms

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT

No one would argue that the world is mobile. Let’s discuss how mobility is impacting business on a global level. Currently we have explosive data growth leading to information everywhere. What is critical is access to useful information anywhere, anytime. End users want convenience, enterprises want ROI. Wireless now is everywhere and coverage is strong and constantly improving.

Zen and the Art of Bug Hunting

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:15:00 EDT

Ask any software engineer about difficult bugs they’ve faced and they’ll always have a story to tell you: the bug that took weeks to track down, the bug that was affecting millions of customers but could not be reproduced by any of the development team, or the bug that brought the entire system grinding to a halt that turned out to be due to a single misplaced comma.

Where Web 2.0 Meets Voice 2.0

Fri, 15 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT

In today’s financial environment, the demand to extract more value from IT has never been more important within the enterprise. The pressure to improve productivity and streamline processes has been at the heart of the first wave of Web 2.0 adoption, where teams have used collaborative tools like wikis, forums, and online communities in their quest to streamline work processes.

Seven Steps to the iPhone Developer's World

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:45:00 EDT

Master, what is the best way to master iPhone Development? Grasshopper, here are my seven steps to becoming an iPhone Developer. Tread carefully and you will become a wise man... Buy an Intel Based Mac & a Device - though the iPhone/iPod Touch device isn't 100% necessary for this early stage, as the iPhone simulator that you will get with the SDK is free and more that capable for initial development. Saying that, there is no replacement ultimately for having a device.

It's a Mobile World

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:45:00 EDT

Currently we have explosive data growth leading to information everywhere. What is critical is access to useful information anywhere, anytime. End users want convenience, enterprises want ROI. Wireless now is everywhere and coverage is strong and constantly improving. People can literally work from anywhere today and be as productive out of the office as they would be in the office.

iPhone Able to Be Adopted by Enterprise Businesses

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EDT

Following on from my earlier blog "Securing and Delivering Business Data on the iPhone", today Sybase shipped a new version of iAnywhere Mobile Office for Windows Mobile, Symbian and iPhone users in the enterprise. The new release offers enhanced administrative, network security, deployment features and allows the extension of enterprise-class email and PIM data from Lotus Domino and Microsoft Exchange mobile devices. In turn this will allow the reduction of the total cost of ownership when extending email and business processes.

SAP & Sybase: Transforming Today's Mobile Workforce

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:55:00 EDT

In the last 6 months at least, I have been blogging on many topics but with one central theme, I believe mobility is key to enterprise companies, not only now but for their future. This is especially true in the current economic climate, where cost effectiveness, rapid decisions, streamlining processes and return on investment is crucial. Let me expand on that further...

Mobility Is a Very Exciting Place

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST

In the current Economic climate, mobility will take a bigger and higher profile position in the Enterprise. As companies work to streamline processes and in turn costs, mobile applications will step up to the plate to fulfill that need and more. Mobile Applications will give the mobile worker the ability to get the data they need, when they want & where they want, this will give the mobile worker the competitive edge which is a necessity. Let us explore the mobile evolution... So far we have see three stages of mobile computing.

Mobilizing Unified Communications

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST

With our dynamic business environment and fluid business models, enterprise communications is becoming increasingly focused on mobility. The associates and managers who are key to supporting customers, resolving production problems, and addressing other critical business tasks can rarely be found at their desks. In spite of this, organizations are under pressure to improve productivity while remaining responsive to customer demands. Those dual goals of responsiveness and productivity have given rise to demands for more functional and effective mobile communications.

The Importance of Mobile Content Portability

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:15:00 EDT

The recent explosion in innovative and exciting mobile devices has presented a challenge to the average mobile consumer – figuring out how to move the content from their old devices to their new ones. In the past, when the mobile phone was really just a phone, mobile content was also simple – a set of names and phone numbers. When replacing their phones, consumers accepted as a consequence of the phone upgrade process that they couldn't take their contacts with them, started with an empty new phone, and either manually re-entered their numbers or asked their friends to call them so that they could save those numbers on the new phone.

Testing Wireless Systems

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:05:00 EDT

Wireless devices provide users with freedom, convenience, and flexibility. But as their dependency on wireless devices grows, users are becoming increasingly concerned about the quality and performance of wireless networks. Today's service providers are aware of these concerns and are making big changes to ensure their wireless networks live up to customer expectations. This includes changing their approach to quality assurance (QA) testing. Service providers now recognize that they must test both the device and the network to maximize performance and interoperability. Service providers also have realized something else: How they approach wireless system testing can profoundly impact the quality of their wireless solutions.

New Testing Approaches for Mobile Phone Quality

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:20:00 EDT

Unlike wireline service, mobile phones rely on often precarious over-the-air radio transmissions to carry time-sensitive voice traffic. Add to this the transforming of voice calls into IP-routed traffic; microphones and speakers disconnected from the device via Bluetooth; high-bandwidth competition from e-mail, data, and video downloads – plus multiple hand-offs between network elements, like routers, switches, and gateways – and there’s a Pandora’s box of traps in the transaction where voice quality can degrade.

Dale and Thomas Leverages Wireless Warehouse

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:18:00 EDT

Dale and Thomas Popcorn manufactures and distributes gourmet popcorn products in a wide variety of flavors such as chocolate and peanut butter, cheddar chipotle, and toffee crunch. At Dale and Thomas Popcorn, they do everything possible to ensure every item they ship arrives in perfect condition.

Breaching Wireless Networks

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Wireless networks and endpoints offer convenience and connectivity, but unless properly secured, they also offer a means of egress into the network. As evidenced by recent headlines surrounding undiscovered data breaches and subsequent public exposure, hackers have begun to turn their eye toward breaching wireless networks and taking advantage of the many weaknesses incumbent.

Overdue Innovation in Mobile

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:15:00 EDT

Why is the 'collaborative source' development approach uniquely suited and required to drive innovation in the mobile-communications software stack? What are the early fruits of its impact? Out of the principles of open source and the particular market and legal constraints of the telecom world, a best-of-two-worlds approach is being forged: the collaborative source development model that is spawning overdue innovation in mobile.

The Monetization of Mobile Multimedia

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:30:00 EDT

The demand for and widespread usage of popular video sharing sites, communities of interest, social networking and personalization has increased exponentially in the past year. While multimedia services and usage are at all time highs in terms of minutes of use, service providers and content owners are still adjusting their revenue and go-to-market models toward consumers and enterprises.

The Growth of Web 2.0 Services

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Over recent years the web has seen the growth of so-called 'Web 2.0' services based around the concept of a two-way information flow, and the empowering of individuals to create and publish their own content and information through blogs, wikis, video sharing, and social networking services. Video content is often central to these services, allowing the uploading and sharing of content generated by customers, along with the emergence of video advertising on the web.

Engelbart's Usability Dilemma: Efficiency vs Ease-of-Use

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:15:00 EDT

The mouse was the original idea of Doug Engelbart who was the head of the Augmentation Research Center (ARC) at Stanford Research Institute. Engelbart's philosophy is best embodied, in my opinion, in the design of another device that he invented, the five-finger keyboard - with keys like a piano, used by one hand. The problem was, Engelbart's five-finger keyboard and mouse combination was very difficult to learn.

Convergence or Divergence

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:15:00 EST

Google and Apple's publicized emergence onto the scene of the mobile industry is the latest consequence of the mobile phone becoming a best-selling device and a driver of growth in the telecom industry. All the big PC and Internet players want a piece of the pie, and IT industry pundits announce that finally the mobile phone will become mini-PCs. But in fact, it is more likely that the PC and Internet players will have to adapt their thinking and practices in order for them to compete in the mobile phone industry. This article explores the reasons why.

Who Is Buying Your Wireless Products?

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST

They're termed 'early adopters.' They're the early birds who snap up the latest wireless devices like Apple's breakthrough iPhone. These high-tech consumer electronics' enthusiasts are critical to a new product's success because their opinions can often make or break a new product based on their satisfaction with its reliability and its ability to live up to its claims. If you make and market these gadgets, you must ensure they don't fly the coop - and if they do, that they leave content.

Mobile Web 2.0 – Web 2.0 and Its Impact on Mobility

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:30:00 EST

Welcome to the second part of this 3-part article. Much has happened since I wrote the first part: for instance, I am now a member of the Web 2.0 Workgroup and I will be speaking at SYS-CON's SOA Web Services Conference & Expo 2006 in New York City in June. Many thanks for all your feedback to the first article.

AjaxWorld Magazine: AJAX for Mobile Devices Will Be the Hallmark of "Mobile Web 2.0" in 2006

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:00:00 EDT

Recently, Opera announced the availability of AJAX on mobile devices through their browser. Considering the popularity of Opera in the browser market (especially in the mobile browser market), this announcement is indeed very significant. Having been involved in creating mobile services for a few years now, Ajit Jaokar believes AJAX will replace both Java ME and XHTML as the platform of choice for developing mobile applications.

Device Differentiation Drives Demand for Wireless Content Management

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 10:00:00 EST

Publishers operating in the mobile world are facing an uphill battle in maintaining control in an increasingly fragmented and segmented market. As market demands continue to escalate, today's developers and/or publishers cannot survive competitively without a thorough working knowledge of the devices proliferating in the mobile market.

AJAX and Mobile Web 2.0: A Service Blueprint Combining del.icio.us and flickr

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:45:00 EST

Introducing an intriguing mobile version of a combination of, Ajit Jaokar continues his insightful contributions to the fast-emerging new 'Mobile Web 2.0' category of ideas and applications.

Enterprise Mobility: Unwiring ROI Complexity in a Wireless World

Thu, 26 May 2005 08:00:00 EDT

The convergence of wireless communication technologies and the miniaturization of electronics have together created a great technological opportunity for enterprises to extend their boundaries out of their office buildings. In this article the author presents a simplified mathematical model for making quick ROI computations in the Enterprise Mobility Space.

Ringback Tones

Wed, 06 Oct 2004 00:00:00 EDT

The search for 'the next ringtones' has another contender, and this time everything seems to add up. Question: Name a service that launched with only a handful of compatible handsets, provided AM-radio sound quality, was barely marketed, but still managed to become a multibillion-dollar industry in three years.

The 7 Biggest Wireless Surprises Coming in 2004

Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:00:00 EST

Wireless is taking off in a big way, but some surprises await us. How do you predict the seven biggest surprises about to hit the wireless industry? I spoke with two well-connected 'ringers' who have a keen sense of the industry. I absorbed their combined input and pooled seven responses.

Bluejack City - A new wireless craze is spreading through Europe

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:31:03 EST

Just as SMS was spawned, there's a new craze that's spreading across parts of Europe. Reportedly, it's more prominent in the UK, but popular elsewhere too. Bluejacking, as you may have guessed, involves the Bluetooth standard to send anonymous messages to other Bluetooth-capable handsets with security disabled.

Understanding the Engine Behind MMS - Five elements necessary for efficient rollouts

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:21:31 EST

Here's how the imminent emergence of MMS will enable operators to make the right platform choice. The potential for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is significant - with industry experts estimating a multibillion dollar market.

The Role of Batteries in Cell Site Survivability - VRLA battery management can be a logistics nightmare

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:19:10 EST

Recent power outages have shown the importance of local backup, but is it really that simple? If you're responsible for operations at your remote cell sites, you must address a number of issues before you even think about making a decision.

Towers of Babble - Preventing the cellular tower industry from toppling

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:16:48 EST

Towers everywhere, but who owns them and how? We take a look into the world of the REIT. It's not just the network and phone manufacturers who are making it big with wireless.

Building an Enterprise-Class Wireless Network - Integrating multiple devices from multiple vendors is key

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:14:37 EST

Vendor-lock is a term circling the wireless LAN (WLAN) sector. A number of startups have begun releasing new network devices - WLAN switches, which promise to make wireless LANs manageable, secure, and reliable.

LBS from Start to Finish - Everyone seems to want to tell you where you are - this is how they know

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:06:57 EST

LBS is a complicated technology. Take a look at the ins and outs, from locating a wireless user, to the importance of overlaying this information with local street and landmark data, to the actual point where a person's location shows up on a computer screen with directions.

Managing Corporate IM - How to implement the proper controls

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:01:55 EST

E-mail is logged and monitored by most companies, but with instant messaging on the rise, who is taking responsibility? Over the last few years, I have helped companies and school districts improve productivity, reduce liability, and preserve network resources with tools to manage and monitor Internet usage.

Tackling Roaming Data Services Challenges - Clearinghouses Can Provide The Answer

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:59:10 EST

Modern users expect to be able to use their mobile wherever they are, but it's not always that easy to roam. Over the past two years, major CDMA carriers in North America and Asia have rolled out packet data services based on the CDMA2000 1xRTT standard.

Arming Police with Handhelds - High-tech system combats revenue loss and boosts public safety

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:55:25 EST

Two of the largest law-enforcement agencies in the country are pioneering innovative mobility solutions to increase productivity and revenue. Many more applications are on the horizon. Last year, the City of New York lost millions of dollars in uncollected parking violations because of problems with the tickets, such as mistakes or illegible handwriting.

The World's Smallest Film Festival

Tue, 25 Nov 2003 13:06:57 EST

Mixing creative collaboration with technical ingenuity, the World's Smallest Film Festival is finding innovative ways to encourage the development of mobile content.

Crossroad in Switching Technology

Tue, 25 Nov 2003 12:59:27 EST

A switch is normally a hard thing, on or off, but today's switches are increasingly taking a soft approach. Wireless penetration, already strong with more than 1.2 billion subscribers, is expected to increase 61% to 1.7 billion subscribers by 2006, according to Motorola research.

Gathering the Data

Tue, 25 Nov 2003 12:55:44 EST

CRM is only as useful as the information gathered, and where better to gather it than at the point of contact? The goals of CRM, for most organizations, have been threefold:

When Your Phone Is a Chip

Tue, 25 Nov 2003 12:54:06 EST

Industry players Wavecom and Intel have successfully entered the cellphone market with solutions-based, all-in-one chipset modules. These modules are waltzing OEMs over the line into the world of cellular phones.