Mobility has become such a ubiqitous expectation from consumers and business executives alike that this category of solution needs some definition.

The following is sourced from Wikipedia:

Mobile Computing is “taking a computer and all necessary files and software out into the field”.^[1] Mobile computing is any type of computing which use Internet or intranet and respective communications links, as WAN, LAN, WLAN etc. Mobile computers may form a wireless personal network or a piconet.

There are at least three different classes of mobile computing items:

• portable computers, compacted lightweight units including a full character set keyboard and primarily intended as hosts for software such as laptops, notebooks, notepads, etc.
• mobile phones including a restricted numeric key set primarily intended but not restricted to for vocal communications, as cell phones, smart phones, phonepads, etc.
• wearable computers, mostly limited to functional keys and primarily intended as incorporation of software agents, as watches, wristbands, necklaces, keyless implants, etc.

Obviously, there are elements of mobility in every modern software solution.

We focus here on the more tightly defined fourth category applying to industrial usage of mobile computers or hand held devices. These are used to scan or capture transaction data at the point of movement through various stages in a supply chain process – usually this is in or around warehouse or distribution centre operations, but also in many other field settings.

Implementations encompass the hardware device layer, the communications layer (e.g. via 3G/4G GPRS, 802.11 Wi-Fi or RF signals), and the integration layer with legacy ERP or other systems.

Factors to consider include appropriate ruggedness of equipment versus ease of use, simplicity of application design to mirror physical processes, on- and off-line application behaviour, battery life and software/hardware support processes.

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