Enterprise Mobility, Embedded Wireless Devices and Robotics
Recently US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Department of Defense will begin planning for the next generation (6th generation) of fighter jets. One of the most interesting requirements is that it will be capable of being flown pilotless.
What do these ground robots have to do with enterprise mobility? These are increasingly sophisticated mobile devices. They are mobile data collectors that can support a wide array of sensors, robotic arms, GPS tracking and surveillance equipment (live video, night vision, infrared, etc.) that require real time and secure mobile data exchanges. The military is now ordering these kinds of mobile devices by the tens of thousands. The military now has ongoing debates about which tasks are best suited for robots and which are best suited for humans. Often the high level of danger makes a robot a better choice than a human soldier.
Embedded wireless sensors are increasingly being used in many industries today. In fact, the MNOs (mobile network operators) see embedded wireless devices and M2M (machine to machine) solutions as major growth areas for them to sell mobile data plans. Often these embedded wireless sensors send small updates of measurement data to a centralized management solution on a schedule. It could be pressure gauges, electrical substations, irrigation canal levels, etc.
Again I ask the question, “What does this have to do with enterprise mobility?” The answer is everything. Increasingly consumer appliances and industrial equipment, vehicles and high value assets will come with small, inexpensive wireless sensors that report their status to a central asset management, field services or plant maintenance system. This information needs to be integrated, analyzed and incorporated into maintenance schedules, work orders systems and perfect plant strategies.
I recognize that many companies are just now trying to mobilize their ERPs and workforces, but just as the military must plan for the future, companies should also recognize where the trends are pointing and plan today to support these fast evolving technologies of the future.
I recommend that you ask your mobile platform vendor about their ability to support M2M communications as part of your selection criteria.
Read more about embedded wireless devices and M2M solutions in my weekly newsletter found here.
Learn more about my one and two day enterprise mobility strategies workshops here.
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Kevin Benedict, SAP Mentor, SAP Top Contributor, Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst
Phone +1 208-991-4410
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Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility consultant, mobility analyst, writer and Web 2.0 marketing professional. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
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