The Meaning of Mobile

The term "mobile" implies portability; so, a mobile device, such as a PalmPilot, is one that easily travels with you. The term also commonly implies that the device has an "always on" connection to the Internet. So we see that the adjective mobile denotes two different scenarios: offline and online.

Mobile offline means that you can use the device to run self-contained programs without a live Internet connection. You can "sync" with a PC to download software, e-mail messages, and other content onto your PDA for portable reading or offline reference. Data collected on the road can be synchronized with a PC once you get back to the office or uploaded whenever an Internet connection is established. The handheld scanners that FedEx drivers use to capture delivery information, such as signature, are a good example of a mobile but offline device. When the driver returns to the delivery van, he can sync the handheld scanner with an onboard computer, and the information is uploaded into the FedEx network.

Mobile online is commonly called wireless. This means that users are connected to the Internet via satellite, cellular, or radio transmitters. (Radio transmitters are the technology behind Wi-Fi networks, which currently are receiving much attention and funding.) An online device will be "always on" in the presence of any wireless data network - seamlessly connecting to the Internet so it can exchange e-mail and instant messages and retrieve web content. The extremely popular BlackBerry RIM handhelds are capable of all these activities and, notably, allow users to securely access corporate e-mail accounts.

The distinction between offline and online affects how m-business applications are designed and used. For instance, if real-time data is involved, such as a salesperson checking inventory availability, it is important to design the application so that it includes a direct connection to the back-office server. On the other hand, if you download an e-book and read it in an airport, then there is no need to dial up your server. The user is able to work offline without an Internet connection. Mobile business covers both online and offline scenarios.