Mobile computingMobile computingby McKay and Marshallby McKay and Marshall

Arild HavnenArild Havnen

OverviewOverview

Definitions of key termsDefinitions of key terms Mobile devicesMobile devices Forces that are driving the adoption of mobile Forces that are driving the adoption of mobile

computing and m-commercecomputing and m-commerce Issues, challenges, difficultiesIssues, challenges, difficulties Main types of applicationsMain types of applications Alignment with business strategiesAlignment with business strategies Future trendsFuture trends

Mobile computingMobile computing ““The ability to move computer The ability to move computer

services around with individuals as services around with individuals as they themselves move around the they themselves move around the world” world” (Lyytinen & Yoo, 2002)(Lyytinen & Yoo, 2002)

““The range of … possibilities for The range of … possibilities for interaction and communication and interaction and communication and accessing services via mobile accessing services via mobile devices” devices” (McKay & Marshall, 2004)(McKay & Marshall, 2004)

M-commerceM-commerce

““The buying and selling of goods and The buying and selling of goods and services using wireless handheld devices services using wireless handheld devices such as mobile telephones or PDAs” such as mobile telephones or PDAs” (UNCTAD, 2002)(UNCTAD, 2002)

““An emerging set of applications and An emerging set of applications and services that are accessible from Internet-services that are accessible from Internet-enabled mobile devices” enabled mobile devices” (Sadeh, 2002)(Sadeh, 2002)

““Commercial transactions conducted via Commercial transactions conducted via mobile devices” mobile devices” (McKay & Marshall, 2004)(McKay & Marshall, 2004)

Mobile devicesMobile devices

Main features and characteristics Main features and characteristics • PortablePortable

CompactCompact Small in sizeSmall in size Relatively lightweightRelatively lightweight

• ConvenientConvenient Easy to switch on Easy to switch on Zero boot timeZero boot time Not dependent on location and timeNot dependent on location and time

Forces that are driving the adoption of Forces that are driving the adoption of mobile computing and m-commercemobile computing and m-commerce

The emerging of a service economyThe emerging of a service economy Decentralisation of workforceDecentralisation of workforce Pressured lifestylePressured lifestyle Dropping price/performance ratio Dropping price/performance ratio

and reduced cost of ownershipand reduced cost of ownership

Issues, challenges, difficultiesIssues, challenges, difficulties

Technical issuesTechnical issues• Lack of standardsLack of standards• Limitations:Limitations:

Small screen sizeSmall screen size Slow transmission speedsSlow transmission speeds Tedious and clumsy data entryTedious and clumsy data entry

Issues, challenges, difficultiesIssues, challenges, difficulties

Socio-professional issuesSocio-professional issues• Blurred boundaries between work and homeBlurred boundaries between work and home• Information overloadInformation overload• Decisions escalated to senior management Decisions escalated to senior management • Privacy issuesPrivacy issues

Movement trackingMovement tracking Personal informationPersonal information

Issues, challenges, difficultiesIssues, challenges, difficulties

Security issuesSecurity issues• Corruption of company data Corruption of company data • Loss of consumer confidenceLoss of consumer confidence• Easily lost and stolen Easily lost and stolen • Misuse of personal dataMisuse of personal data• VirusesViruses

Main types of applicationMain types of application Should support: Should support:

• ImmediacyImmediacy• ConnectivityConnectivity• Data portability Data portability • Positioning technologies (optional)Positioning technologies (optional)

Examples:Examples:• SMSSMS• Micro paymentsMicro payments• Financial servicesFinancial services• Information servicesInformation services• LogisticsLogistics• Customer relationship managementCustomer relationship management• Location-based servicesLocation-based services

AlignmentAlignment

Aligning m-commerce with company Aligning m-commerce with company goals, objectives and strategiesgoals, objectives and strategies• Just as important as the need for alignment Just as important as the need for alignment

between IS/e-commerce strategiesbetween IS/e-commerce strategies• Understanding value-driversUnderstanding value-drivers

Help to identify crucial mobile applicationsHelp to identify crucial mobile applications Not fashion-driven investmentsNot fashion-driven investments

• Consider opportunities to leverage existing Consider opportunities to leverage existing infrastructure for greater business benefitinfrastructure for greater business benefit

AlignmentAlignment• Take a high-level corporate view of mobile Take a high-level corporate view of mobile

computingcomputing Avoid looking at specific applications as stand-Avoid looking at specific applications as stand-

alone uses of mobile technologyalone uses of mobile technology Recognise the need to develop a standard Recognise the need to develop a standard

mobile infrastructuremobile infrastructure• Focus on B2E applications rather than m-Focus on B2E applications rather than m-

commerce applicationscommerce applications• Start relatively small and simpleStart relatively small and simple• Understand the characteristics of mobile Understand the characteristics of mobile

devicesdevices

Future trendsFuture trends

Pervasive Pervasive computingcomputing

Ubiquitous Ubiquitous computingcomputing

Traditional Traditional business business

computingcomputing

Mobile Mobile computingcomputing

Degree of embeddednessHigh

Low

Degree of mobilityHighLow

Case studiesCase studies

Beer Co.Beer Co. Repair Co.Repair Co.

Questions?Questions?