Mobilizing Enterprise Data for mobile apps and platforms

Mobilizing
Enterprise
Data
By Alex Zaltsman, CEO InnoviMobile

Mobile Integration Plan
Identify The Information Security Plan
Implementation Options
Project Action Plan
Blank Project Action Plan
Adoption Formula
Plan for integrating Components and Stakeholders
Identify Staffing Requirements
Contents
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6
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MOBILIZING ENTERPRISE DATA 3
Mobile Integration Plan
Adoption Formula
There 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.
(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.
Desirability
Creating 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 Stakeholders
It’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 impact
the first two operands — usability and desirability.
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
CLIENT/SERVER OR WEB APPLICATIONS
PRODUCT EXPERT LIAISON
ACCESS TO DATA FROM INTRANET
DATABASES
ACCESS TO DATA FROM INTERNET
APPLICATION SUPPORT
THIRD-PARTY VENDOR
SERVER TEAM ADMIN
PRODUCT USER
NETWORK ADMIN
DATABASE ADMIN
FIREWALL/SECURITY ADMIN
DESKTOP SUPPORT CONTACT
VENDOR SUPPORT CONTACT

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 Requirements
Based on your project timelines does your company have the internal expertise to deliver a finished
product that meets the requirements of the user community?
A typical mobile project will require:
Title Role
Sets the vision and goals.
Understands mobile ecosystem, defines feature set.
Coordinates tasks between developers, designers, and communicates
project 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.
Project Executive
Product Manager
Project Manager
Designer(s)
Mobile platform developers
Server developers Developers for any back-end systems integration.

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.
Typical scenarios depicting how enterprises approach mobile applications development:
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.
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

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.
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.
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.

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.
Four Approaches To Mobile Technology In The Enterprise
Implementation Options
Deciding 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 are
typically 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.
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.
*

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 staff
Reduce paper document transactions by %25 the first year
Reduce 30 minutes of data entry per person per day
Reduce documentation errors by %25 the first year
Target ROI within 12 months
Identify inefficient processes in the field
Receive feedback from key leaders in the field
Launch 5% pilot program to field and evaluate feedback
Executive 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 Plan
Project 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.

InnoviMobile creates mobile applications for enterprise businesses across
a broad range of industries. Let us help you get started today!
© InnoviMobile
Written by Alex Zaltsman, CEO InnoviMobile

Mobilizing Enterprise Data for mobile apps and platforms

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