Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials - page 37

Summary

Developing and deploying a solution that provides mobile access to enterprise data sources is challenging. In order to create a successful solution, many factors have to be taken into consideration. These include wireless connectivity, device type, target user base, enterprise integration, power consumption, and security. Three mobile architectures can be used to address these issues: wireless Internet, smart client, and messaging. Each of these systems has advantages and disadvantages that have to be weighed when making any decision. In many cases, the idea solution will include a combination of two, or possibly all three, architectures.

Part II of this book is dedicated to smart client application development, and Part III to thin client development. But before we move on to those sections, in the next chapter we will take a closer look at mobile wireless messaging technologies.

Helpful Links

Web links relevant to the architectures discussed in this chapter are provided in their respective chapters throughout the book. Here you will find links to common mobile development and information Web sites. These sites are a good source for getting upto-the minute information on the mobile and wireless industry.

Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA)	www.wow-com.com
FierceWireless daily newsletter	www.fiercewireless.com
m-Business Daily	www.mbizcentral.com
MobileInfo Portal	www.mobileinfo.com
ThinkMobile Portal	www.thinkmobile.com
Unstrung	www.unstrung.com
Wireless Business and Technology Magazine	www.sys-con.com/wireless
Wireless Developer Network	www.wirelessdevnet.com
Wireless Internet Daily newsletter	www.wirelessinternetdaily.net
Wireless Week	www.wirelessweek.com

Chapter 5: Mobile and Wireless Messaging

Overview

The term messaging can mean many things. To some people, it may mean email; to others, text messaging; to others still, smart application-to-application messaging. Of course, all of these, as well as others, are valid messaging formats. As discussed in the previous chapter, messaging technology can be used by itself or in conjunction with smart client or thin client applications, but however it is used, messaging technology will be key to implementing a successful mobile solution.

In this chapter, we take a look at the key messaging technologies currently available. We will start with common messaging systems such as email and paging, then move on to SMS, EMS, and MMS, and finish with push and application-to-application messaging. After gaining an understanding of the various messaging systems, we will cover the messaging value chain, ranging from device manufacturers to messaging middleware providers.

Note

Messaging technology relates equally well to both smart client and thin client applications, therefore it is included in the first part of the book rather than in the parts dedicated to specific application architectures. This is intentional, as messaging technology is a great way to tie together both application types.

In Chapter 4, "Mobile Application Architectures" we answered the question why we would want to use messaging for our applications. Here we will look at how this can be accomplished.

Chapter 6: Mobile and Wireless Security

Overview

One of the major concerns when implementing mobile and wireless solutions is data security. Securing enterprise data in a wired environment is difficult enough; adding wireless data transmission and mobile storage makes the task even more challenging. A number of security technologies are available today that make it possible to create mobile solutions with end-to-end security. These technologies should be incorporated into your application from the initial design through the final implementation.

Giving all aspects of security equal attention is crucial. For example, it's counter-productive to spend hours choosing the right security algorithm only to find out that a user is using his or her surname as the password to the system. Parties with malicious intent will always attack the weakest part of the system, so, clearly, having a single weak link is very dangerous. To implement a truly secure environment, you will require both the right technology and a corporate security policy. This will help ensure that all aspects of your system remain secure.

This chapter provides information on general security concepts as well as the security issues around building WAP and smart client applications. The goal is to provide developers with enough information to make educated decisions when implementing security into their mobile solutions.