Mobile Computing – Conclusion

     
      Today computing has rapidly grown from being confined to a single location. With mobile computing, people can work from the comfort of any location they wish to as long as the connection and the security concerns are properly factored. In the same light, the presence of high-speed connections has also promoted the use of mobile computing.

         Being an ever growing and emerging technology, mobile computing will continue to be a core service in computing and Information Communication and Technology.

The Future of Mobile Computing

                                             

             

             With the rapid technological advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Integrated Circuitry and increases in Computer Processor speeds, the future of mobile computing looks increasingly exciting.

                  
               With the emphasis increasingly on compact, small mobile computers, it may also be possible to have all the practicality of a mobile computer in the size of a hand held organizer or even smaller.

             Use of Artificial Intelligence may allow mobile units to be the ultimate in personal secretaries, which can receive emails and paging messages, understand what they are about, and change the individual’s personal schedule according to the message. The individual to plan his/her day can then check this.

              The working lifestyle will change, with the majority of people working from home, rather than commuting. This may be beneficial to the environment as less transportation will be utilized. This mobility aspect may be carried further in that, even in social spheres, people will interact via mobile stations, eliminating the need to venture outside of the house.

              This scary concept of a world full of inanimate zombies sitting, locked to their mobile stations, accessing every sphere of their lives via the computer screen becomes ever more real as technology, especially in the field of mobile data communications, rapidly improves and, as shown below, trends are very much towards ubiquitous or mobile computing.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Mobile Computing

Advantages of Mobile Computing:

Mobile computing has changed the complete landscape of human being life. Following are the clear advantages of Mobile Computing:

·       Location flexibility

This has enabled user to work from anywhere as long as there is a connection established. A user can work without being in a fixed position. Their mobility ensures that they are able to carry out numerous tasks at the same time perform their stated jobs.

·       Saves Time

The time consumed or wasted by travelling from different locations or to the office and back, have been slashed. One can now access all the important documents and files over a secure channel or portal and work as if they were on their computer. It has enhanced telecommuting in many companies. This also reduces unnecessary expenses that might be incurred.

·       Enhanced Productivity

Productive nature has been boosted by the fact that a worker can simply work efficiently and effectively from which ever location they see comfortable and suitable. Users are able to work with comfortable environments.

              Ease of research

Research has been made easier, since users will go to the field and search for facts and feed them back to the system. It has also made it easier for field officer and researchers to collect and feed data from wherever they without making unnecessary trip to and from the office to the field.

·       Entertainment

Video and audio recordings can now be streamed on the go using mobile computing. It's easy to access a wide variety of movies, educational and informative material. With the improvement and availability of high-speed data connections at considerable costs, one is able to get all the entertainment they want as they browser the internet for streamed data. One can be able to watch news, movies, and documentaries among other entertainment offers over the Internet. This was not such before mobile computing dawned on the computing world.

·       Streamlining of Business Processes

Business processes are now easily available through secured connections. Basing on the factor of security, adequate measures have been put in place to ensure authentication and authorization of the user accessing those services.

Some business functions can be run over secure links and also the sharing of information between business partners. Also it's worth noting that lengthy travelling has been reduced, since there is the use of voice and video conferencing.

Meetings, seminars and other informative services can be conducted using the video and voice conferencing. This cuts down on travel time and expenditure.

  

Disadvantages of Mobile Computing:

·       Mobile Computing Security Issues:

Mobile computing has its fair share of security concerns as any other technology. Due to their nomadic nature, it's not easy to monitor the proper usage. User might have different intentions on how to utilize this privilege. Improper and unethical practices such as hacking, industrial espionage, pirating, online fraud and malicious destruction are some but few of the problems experienced by mobile computing.

Another big problem plaguing mobile computing is credential verification. It's not possible to that the person using that person is the true barrier. Other users share username and passwords. This is also a major threat to security. This being a very sensitive issue, most companies are very reluctant to implement mobile computing to the dangers of misrepresentation.

The problem of identity theft is very difficult to contain or eradicate. Issues with unauthorized access to data and information by hackers, is also a plaguing problem. They gain access to steal vital data from companies. This problem has been a major headache and hindrance in rolling out mobile computing services.

No company wants to lay open their secrets to hacker and other intruders, who will in terms, sell them to their competitors. It's also important to take the necessary precautions to minimize these threats from taking place. Some of those measures include:

·       Hiring qualified personnel.

·       Installing Security Hardware and Software.

·       Educating the Users on proper Mobile computing ethics.

·       Auditing and developing sound, effective policies to govern mobile computing.

·       Enforcing proper access rights and permissions.

These are just but a few ways to help deter possible threats to any company planning to offer mobile computing. Since information is vital, all possible measures should be evaluated and implemented for safeguard purposes.

In the absence of such measures, it's possible for exploits and other unknown threats to infiltrate and cause irrefutable harm that would cost a huge of damage. These maybe in terms of reputation or financial penalties. In such cases, it's very easy to be misused in different unethical practices.

The other issue would be online security. If this factor isn't properly worked on, it might be an avenue for constant threat. Theft and Espionage can be also another fact limiting its full utilization. Various threats to security still exist in implementing this kind of technology.

Applications of Mobile Computing

The question that always arises when a business is thinking of buying a mobile computer is :-

                                             "Will it be worth it?"

             In many fields of work, the ability to keep on the move is vital in order to utilize time efficiently. Efficient utilization of resources (i.e.: staff) can mean substantial savings in transportation costs and other non-quantifiable costs such as increased customer attention, impact of on site maintenance and improved intercommunication within the business.

The importance of Mobile Computers has been highlighted in many fields of which a few are described below:

• For Estate Agents

Estate agents can work either at home or out in the field. With mobile computers they can be more productive. They can obtain current real estate information by accessing multiple listing services, which they can do from home, office or car when out with clients. They can provide clients with immediate feedback regarding specific homes or neighborhoods, and with faster loan approvals, since applications can be submitted on the spot. Therefore, mobile computers allow them to devote more time to clients.

• Emergency Services

Ability to receive information on the move is vital where the emergency services are involved. Information regarding the address, type and other details of an incident can be dispatched quickly, via a CDPD system using mobile computers, to one or several appropriate mobile units, which are in the vicinity of the incident.

Here the reliability and security implemented in the CDPD system would be of great advantage.

• In courts

Defense counsels can take mobile computers in court. When the opposing counsel references a case which they are not familiar, they can use the computer to get direct, real-time access to on-line legal database services, where they can gather information on the case and related precedents. Therefore mobile computers allow immediate access to a wealth of information, making people better informed and prepared.

• In companies

Managers can use mobile computers in, say, and critical presentations to major customers. They can access the latest market share information. At a small recess, they can revise the presentation to take advantage of this information. They can communicate with the office about possible new offers and call meetings for discussing responds to the new proposals. Therefore, mobile computers can leverage competitive advantages.

• Stock Information Collation/Control

In environments where access to stock is very limited ie: factory warehouses. The use of small portable electronic databases accessed via a mobile computer would be ideal.

Data collated could be directly written to a central database, via a CDPD network, which holds all stock information hence the need for transfer of data to the central computer at a later date is not necessary. This ensures that from the time that a stock count is completed, there is no inconsistency between the data input on the portable computers and the central database.

• Credit Card Verification

At Point of Sale (POS) terminals in shops and supermarkets, when customers use credit cards for transactions, the intercommunication required between the bank central computer and the POS terminal, in order to effect verification of the card usage, can take place quickly and securely over cellular channels using a mobile computer unit. This can speed up the transaction process and relieve congestion at the POS terminals.

• Taxi/Truck Dispatch

Using the idea of a centrally controlled dispatcher with several mobile units (taxis), mobile computing allows the taxis to be given full details of the dispatched job as well as allowing the taxis to communicate information about their whereabouts back to the central dispatch office. This system is also extremely useful in secure deliveries i.e.: Securicor. This allows a central computer to be able to track and receive status information from all of its mobile secure delivery vans. Again, the security and reliability properties of the CDPD system shine through.

History

Mobile telephony took off with the introduction of cellular technology, which allowed the efficient utilization of frequencies enabling the connection of a large number of users. During the 1980's analogue technology was used. Among the most well known systems were the NMT900 and 450 (Nordic Mobile Telephone) and the AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service). In the 1990's the digital cellular technology was introduced with GSM (Global System Mobile) being the most widely accepted system around the world. Other such systems are the DCS1800 (Digital Communication System) and the PCS1900 (Personal Communication System).

Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s including:

·       Personal digital assistant/enterprise digital assistant

·       Smartphone

·       Tablet computer

·       Ultra-Mobile PC

·       Wearable computer

Types of Mobile Computing

Types of Mobile Computing:

·      Nomadic Computing:

A wired core network with a wireless periphery

·      Ad Hoc Computing:

Opportunistic temporary networks where all hosts are wireless mobile devices

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 that may be parameterized, as laptops, notebooks, notepads, etc.

·       Mobile phones including a restricted key set primarily intended but not restricted to for vocal communications, as cell phones, smart phones, phone pads, etc.

·       Wearable computers mostly limited to functional keys and primarily intended as incorporation of software agents, as watches, wristbands, necklaces, keyless implants, etc.