Chapter 3 Mobile Computing

Learning Objectives Discuss the value-added attributes, benefits, and fundamental drivers of m-commerce. Describe the mobile computing environment that supports m-commerce (i.e., devices, software, services). Describe the four major types of wireless telecommunications networks.

Learning Objectives Discuss the application of m-commerce within organizations and across the supply chain. Describe consumer and personal applications of m-commerce. Understand the technologies and potential application of location-based m-commerce. Describe the major inhibitors and barriers of m-commerce.

Definition of Mobile Computing DEFINITION : The ability to use technology in remote or mobile (non static) environments. This technology is based on the use of battery powered, portable, and wireless computing and communication devices, like smartmobile phones, wearable computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Mobile computing a generic term describing one’s ability to use technology untethered, but often used to refer to access to information or applications from occasionally-connected, portable, networked computing devices.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure Wireless mobile computing (mobile computing) Computing that connects a mobile device to a network or another computing device, anytime, anywhere.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure MOBILE DEVICES personal digital assistant (PDA) A stand-alone handheld computer principally used for personal information management. smartphone A mobile phone with PC-like capabilities.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure MOBILE COMPUTING SOFTWARE Mobile Operating System Mobile Application User Interface microbrowser Wireless Web browser designed to operate with small screens and limited bandwidth and memory requirements.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) A scripting language used to create content in the WAP environment; based on SML, minus unnecessary content to increase speed.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure Markup Languages Wireless Markup Language (WML) A scripting language used to create content in the WAP environment; based on XML, minus unnecessary content to increase speed. Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (xHTML) A general scripting language; compatible with HTML; a standard set by W3Consortium.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure MOBILE COMPUTING SERVICES Short Message Service (SMS) A service that supports the sending and receiving of short text messages on mobile phones. Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) An extension of SMS that can send simple animation, tiny pictures, sounds, and formatted text.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) The emerging generation of wireless messaging; MMS is able to deliver rich media. Location-Based Services global positioning system (GPS) A worldwide satellite-based tracking system that enables users to determine their position anywhere on the earth.

Mobile Computing Components and Infrastructure Voice-Support Services interactive voice response (IVR) A voice system that enables users to request and receive information and to enter and change data through a telephone to a computerized system. voice portal A Web site with an audio interface that can be accessed through a telephone call.

How Mobile Computing works? Mobile computing is the idea that users can process data or perform digital tasks on mobile devices. A microprocessor powers mobile computing, and memory chips provide for data storage. A radio frequency element handles power sourcing and other proprietary telecom technology sends outgoing signals and receives incoming signals from a 3G or 4Gwireless network.

Mobile Computing Functions A computing environment is defined as mobile if it supports one or more of these characteristics: User mobility: User should be able to move from one physical location to another location and use same service Network mobility: User should be able to move from one network to another network and use same service

Mobile Computing Functions (Cont.) Device mobility: User should be able to move from one device to another and use same service Session mobility: A user session should be able to move from one user-agent environment to another. Service mobility: User should be able to move from one service to another Host mobility: The user should can be either a client or server.

Advantages of Mobile Computing 1 - Increase in Productivity - Mobile devices can be used out in the field of various companies, therefore reducing the time and cost for clients and themselves. 2 - Entertainment - Mobile devices can be used for entertainment purposes, for personal and even for presentations to people and clients.

Advantages of Mobile Computing 3 - Portability - This would be one of the main advantages of mobile computing, you are not restricted to one location in order for you to get jobs done or even access email on the go. 4 - Cloud Computing - This service is available for saving documents on a online server and being able to access them anytime and anywhere when you have a connection to the internet and can access these files on several mobile devices or even PCs at home. 

Disadvantages of Mobile Computing 1- Quality of connectivity - mobile devices will need either WiFi connectivity or mobile network connectivity such as GPRS, 3G and in some countries even 4G connectivity because if you are not near any of these connections your access to the internet is very limited. 2- Security concerns - Mobile VPNs are unsafe to connect to, and also syncing devices might also lead to security concerns. accessing a WiFi network can also be risky because WPA and WEP security can be by passed easily.

3- Power Consumption - due to the use of batteries in these devices, these do not tend to last long, if in a situation where there is  no source of power for charging then that will certainly be a let down.

Issue Surrounding the mobile computing technology 1 - Disconnections Resources can be allocated to handle disconnections more elegantly, or to try and prevent those disconnections from happening.  2 - Low Bandwidth and Bandwidth Variability Wireless networks deliver lower bandwidth than wired networks, hence mobile computing designs need to be very concerned about bandwidth consumption.

3- Security Concerns This is further complicated if users are allowed to cross security domains, for example in a large firm where sensitive data accessible to only authorised personnel and other data that is freely accessible to anybody with a mobile computer. 

Mobile Financial Applications MOBILE BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES WIRELESS ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS Wireless Bill Payments Closing the Digital Divide

Mobile Shopping, Advertising, and Content Provision WIRELESS SHOPPING MOBILE AND TARGETED ADVERTISING mobile portal A customer interaction channel that aggregates content and services for mobile users.

Mobile Enterprise and Supply Chain SUPPORT OF MOBILE EMPLOYEES Mobile Office Sales Force Mobilization and Automation Worker Support in Retailing Support in Operations Job Dispatch Maintenance and Repair at Remote Sites

Mobile Consumer Services MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT Music and Video Mobile Games Mobile Gambling

Location-Based Mobile Commerce location-based m-commerce Delivery of m-commerce transactions to individuals in a specific location, at a specific time. Five key factors for services provided : Location Navigation Tracking Mapping Timing

Location-Based Mobile Commerce THE TECHNOLOGY FOR L-COMMERCE Global Positioning System GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM AND GPS Geographical information system (GIS) A computer system capable of integrating, storing, editing, analyzing, sharing, and displaying geographically referenced (spatial) information. GPS/GIS Applications

Summary Wireless communication brings challenging new problems. Mobility makes  information dynamic. Portability entails limited resources available on board to handle the variable mobile computing environment. The challenge for mobile computer designers is to incorporate wireless communication, mobility, and portability to adapt the system designs that have worked well for traditional computing.

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