What factors you need to consider when deciding whether to build mobile solutions
yourself or purchase solutions from the provider.
Introduction
Mobile technology and wireless technology is quoted as the linkage solution for business
transactions by “The Trade and Popular press” recently in their cover stories. With all of
the exhilaration about mobile computing and its frequent association with the Internet,
there is no surprise that there are a lot of misconception about what wireless is and does.
Organizations are as unique as individuals… they have different backgrounds, goals,
needs and interests. All organizations must implement effective wireless and mobile
technology to remain competitive. Such systems are necessary to ensure that all relevant
corporate data is preserved and rendered readily available to the mobile workers on the
field.
The most common misconception is that wireless means the
Internet. Wireless refers to transmission of data through the
airwaves without the use of wires between the mobile
handheld computing device and the main computer system.
The Internet is a global network that provides access to
information and applications using a browser or web
navigating application.
To dismantle these misconceptions and understand
what mobile computing can offer, it is important to
recognize that mobile computing is not one
technology. It is a range of solutions that enable user
mobility by providing access to data anytime, from
any location.
Because of this common need, most organizations are
faced with the question of "build" vs. "buy". Both
building a customized in-house solution and buying
from a solution provider offer advantages and
disadvantages. Before making the right choice its
important to consider a number of issues with respect to
long term and short term strategies.
Examine your organizational processes