Keeping Pace with Wireless by Peter Wallace
As we all know, wireless devices and transmission technology has changed rapidly over the past couple of years. How does a niche business application such as CrossForm keep up with such a torrid pace? Well, the answer is in allying yourself with the right partners and 3rd party products.
Most of us have them. Some of us use them when we shouldn’t, like while driving or after the aircraft door is shut. Often times they buzz or ring when we’re at a concert or in a meeting. For a businessperson on the go, using a wireless device for basic texting and email is commonplace.
There is an expectation today that if data is to be exchanged wirelessly, it should happen in the same easy, seamless way as texting or basic email. After all, wireless coverage has been increasing steadily. Wireless service is better than ever. Data transmission speeds are ever-increasing with the broadband plans, 3G networks and other technologies that are available to the business user.
So where does that leave a business application? The expectation is that the business app will also behave in this seamless manner. This means that the screens have to pop on and off the device very quickly; it means that as the device is transmitting, it cannot interrupt me; it means that the device will update itself as required and not interrupt me while its updating itself; it means that I can have one device for my telephone calls, text messages, emails, ringtones, pictures, contacts, calendar and yes, in the case of CrossForm users, my work order tickets that need attention.
For the business software developer, keeping up with wireless means picking the right 3rd party vendors to interface with your application.
Most of you know that we have standardized on Syclo, LLC. (www.syclo.com) for our Pocket PC device interface for our Mobile Tech product. Syclo was the right pick from the beginning due to their experience in the marketplace, heavy R&D spending and strength as a leader. Syclo grew up in the dial-up world years ago and had to adapt their software to wireless.
We have also begun a partnership with a company that specializes in Blackberry client integration on a java platform. I’m not going to release their name just yet because our product is not quite available but it will be very soon. The Blackberry client has always been elusive for us, and we think that this will be a home run for those customers wishing to keep their Blackberry devices in the field. For Facility Managers, we will have an application that allows quick and easy approval/denial/send-out-to-bid functionality for work orders that require approval.
So, in conclusion, Mainstream is keeping pace with wireless by picking the right partners. We’ll continue to keep the nucleus together to ensure an integrated, enterprise FM solution, and we’ll continue to let our partners innovate to keep our products strong.
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