mobilizing enterprise data - strategies to succeed in enterprise mobile

MobilizingEnterpriseDataby Alex Zaltsman, CEO InnoviMobile

Mobile Integration Plan

Identify The Information Security Plan

Implementation Options

Project Action Plan

Blank Project Action Plan

Adoption FormulaPlan for integrating Components and StakeholdersIdentify Staffing Requirements

Contents

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Mobile Integration PlanAdoption FormulaThere are many components of an optimal mobile strategy but the most significant is the design for adoption. Creating a fancy user interface with limited functionality, or deploying an application with too strict security will lead to the app being deemed unusable resulting in wasted time and effort. We express the elements of successful mobile deployment as a simple formula:

The first two operands, Usability and Desirability, are inextricably linked. They illustrate the core of the most important factors that employees will consider when using a mobile application.

MOBILIZING ENTERPRISE DATA 2

Adoption FormulaPlan for integrating Components and StakeholdersIdentify Staffing Requirements

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(Usability + Desirability) × Security = Adoption

Usability Usability is more of an art than a science. Significant thought needs to go into the design, which does not need to be complex. In fact, less complex is better! The application must be easy and intuitive to wield without the need for an instruction guide. The ides is to make the jobs of employees easier, not harder.

DesirabilityCreating desire means crafting an emotional shift from a less desirable alternative (legacy technology) to a more desirable product. If you cannot envision a positive emotional outcome as a result of using the mobile app then adoption will suffer. The mobile app must make an emotional connection with the employees and make a meaningful difference to them.

Plan For Integrating Components And StakeholdersIt’s important to identify the components that will interface directly or indirectly with mobile applications. Some examples include:

The last operand is Security. Note the use of the mathematical symbol for multiplication; the purpose is to emphasize the significance of security of any enterprise mobile application deployment. IT management needs to be able to sleep at night knowing that data that is accessible on mobile devices is secure. Employees need to feel comfortable that security is the cornerstone of the application they use every day, yet it needs to be transparent. Though it is strongly encouraged that a general education plan and policies around mobile security are implemented, users should not be burdened with any complexities associated with IT management’s security requirements as this will impactthe first two operands — usability and desirability.


CLIENT/SERVER OR WEB APPLICATIONSPRODUCT EXPERT LIAISONACCESS TO DATA FROM INTRANETDATABASESACCESS TO DATA FROM INTERNETAPPLICATION SUPPORT THIRD-PARTY VENDOR

SERVER TEAM ADMINPRODUCT USERNETWORK ADMINDATABASE ADMINFIREWALL/SECURITY ADMINDESKTOP SUPPORT CONTACTVENDOR SUPPORT CONTACT

Some questions you may need to ask while developing your mobility vision:

1.) Does this app make the employee’s day easier and allow them to focus on more meaningful tasks?

2.) How many less steps will the employee take by using mobile technology?

3.) How will the contemplated mobile technology reduce stress, anxiety, and increase passion and creativity on the

employee’s role?

4.) Will the mobile technology position the company (and employees) to be viewed as more technologically advanced

than competitors?

Some questions you may need to ask while developing your mobility vision:

Component Stakeholder

In general, it is best to meet with various users of the existing applications, and those who will likely use the mobile version, along with all technical contacts that will provide technical support. The user, also referred to as the “product expert,” is uniquely positioned to explain how the application is utilized in its current state and can make recommendations on features and functionality required for the application on a mobile device. Product experts can also serve as the interface to others in providing feedback.

All other roles are typically of a technical nature and will need to work closely with the users of the applications to ensure the goals of the mobile product are met.

Identify Staffing RequirementsBased on your project timelines does your company have the internal expertise to deliver a finished product that meets the requirements of the user community?

Title Role

Sets the vision and goals.

Understands mobile ecosystem, defines feature set.

Coordinates tasks between developers, designers, and communicatesproject updates to Product Manager and Product Executive.

Staff experiences in user experience/user interface design for mobile.

Developers to write the code for the platforms necessary to support your product.


A typical mobile project will require:

Project Executive

Product Manager

Project Manager

Designer(s)

Mobile platform developers

Server developers Developers for any back-end systems integration.

SERVER TEAM ADMINPRODUCT USERNETWORK ADMINDATABASE ADMINFIREWALL/SECURITY ADMINDESKTOP SUPPORT CONTACTVENDOR SUPPORT CONTACT

Team in place but stretched too thin, or no time to put team together

Execute with in-house team. Augment with external resources in case of time constraints.

It is critical to choose a partner, not just an outsourcing firm. Many outsourcing firms provide just the software development portion. While enterprise organizations have various resources, it takes significantly more than software development alone to create a mobile application that is widely adopted, secure and implemented within budget.

Situation Outcome

Team with mobile experience is in place with guaranteed resources

Several, but not all key team members are on staff

Entire team is in place but seeks guidance on strategy

Consider partnering with a mobile development firm that can fulfill the needs of all roles

Consider partnering with a mobile development firm that can fill in the gaps

Consider partnering with a mobile development firm that can help with mobile strategy


Typical scenarios depicting how enterprises approach mobile applications development:

Preparing your information security infrastructure prior to or concurrently with mobile applications development initiatives will make your team better prepared for the launch of your mobile product. Some of the components that take care of data security, such as Good Dynamics, need to be integrated into the mobile application during development.

Category Threat Solution

Data in Motion and Data In Use

Data At Rest

Mobile Application Management

Mobile Application Distribution

Unauthorized access to data while being transmitted over local and wireless networks.

Attempts to decompile the mobile application and unauthorized access to app data storage containers.

Lost or stolen devices with apps that access corporate data.

Publishing internal apps to public app stores exposes proprietary applications to the general public.

End-to-End encryption of data while in transit from the source servers to the mobile device. We recommend Good Technology’s Dynamics product.

Encryption of data stored on the device. We recommend Good Technology’s Dynamics product.

Platform that provides ability to remotely remove mobile apps from the device. We recommend AppCentral’s Management Console and AppGuardian (recently acquired by Good Technology).

AppCentral’s Mobile Storefront provides an internal app store for internal app distribution.


Security in the context of mobile applications generally falls into the following categories:

Identify the Information Security Plan The key essentials of mobile application security include connectivity and encryption of data during transmission and on the device. Management and control of applications is necessary to prevent unauthorized access in case of device loss or theft.

It’s very important to choose the right approach for your project and budget from the beginning. Changing approaches during your mobile project will delay deployment and could significantly increase costs while impacting the user experience.

Perspective Tools Outcome

Individual platform SDKs

Web Based platform

Centralized platform

Hybrid

Native device development tools.

HTML5

MEAP

Native, HTML5, MEAP

Best experience and performance that uses native device features and unique UI capabilities. Support for offline use, push notifications, strong analytics.

Capabilities of mobile web sites are limited to the capabilities and UI of mobile web browsers. Offline use (other than caching) is not supported. Requires strong Internet connectivity, either cellular or WiFi.

Rudimentary experience, lowest common denominator approach to do “build once, deploy to many” development methodology. Source code usable only with MEAP vendor’s platforms. Significant vendor lock-in.

Significantly more complex development and maintenance by having to integrate disparate tools and technologies. Some benefits could be achieved by re-using existing web technology.

Four Approaches To Mobile Technology In The Enterprise

*


Implementation OptionsDeciding on the right approach for development is highly dependent on the specific application that is being contemplated. There are four general approaches to implementing mobile technology in the enterprise.

* MEAP was coined by Gartner in a 2008 Magic Quadrant report and is an acronym for Mobile Enterprise Application Platform. MEAP tools aretypically purchased and hosted on-premise or used as Software as a Service web site. The key benefit promoted by MEAP vendors is the ability to write code, often using a proprietary scripting language or well-established language like JavaScript. The code is then exported into native application platform code and can be distributed to other devices.

Metrics (vital factors/wins)

Key Strategies

Action Steps

Priority Mobile Product Development Goals

1.

2.

3.

4.

Owners 30 60 90

5.

Deploy mobile technology to 1,000 field staffReduce paper document transactions by %25 the first yearReduce 30 minutes of data entry per person per day Reduce documentation errors by %25 the first yearTarget ROI within 12 months

Identify inefficient processes in the fieldReceive feedback from key leaders in the fieldLaunch 5% pilot program to field and evaluate feedbackExecutive buy-in

Form the mobile product team

Identify gaps in skill set

Identify key development partner

Identify team lead from user population

Confirm budget with CFO

John

Paul

Mary

Jen

Steve

2/1

2/15

2/1

2/12

2/15

3/1

3/15

3/1

3/13

4/1

4/15

4/1

4/12


Project Action PlanProject Action Plans (PAP) are crucial to the success of your mobile implementation project. They help set priorities, define owners of tasks, and in general, outline expectations so that the entire project team is aware of the timeline for the final product release.

Below is an example of a Project Action Plan for one portion of the project, which is product development. There could be a few of PAPs for different roles. For example, the development team could use their own PAP to identify key metrics, strategies, and action steps.

Metrics (vital factors/wins)

Key Strategies

Action Steps

Priority Mobile Product Development Goals

1.

2.

3.

4.

Owners 30 60 90

5.


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Written by Alex Zaltsman, CEO InnoviMobile

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