Operating System Strategy For Mobile Computers

This paper will discuss the major operating system environments for mobile computers and Intermec’s strategy to serve customer needs with each. The scope of this discussion is limited to operating systems used on handheld computers and does not address strategy for larger form factor devices such as Vehicle Mount computers. This paper is intended as an introduction and overview to the various technologies discussed; many online resources are available for further technical information.

After more than a decade of stability using mobile computer operating systems based on successive versions of Microsoft® Windows Mobile® and its predecessors, the current situation is far more dynamic. Major players in the consumer smartphone market are migrating users to rich interfaces focused on screen interaction rather than keypads. Powerful multi-core processor architectures enable highly responsive applications. The tight integration of sensors, wireless connectivity, and application services frameworks are driving a new paradigm, allowing developers to easily integrate key functionality into their apps via standard system APIs. A large ecosystem has emerged to provide apps, resources, and tools to facilitate development.

But what does this mean for the enterprise? How does a changing user base drive new application interfaces? Which ecosystem should IT embrace for mobile devices? These are questions with no singular answer, yet multiple alternatives are ofered for consideration. This paper will outline several options and provide guidance as to which ones may best fit the needs of each individual enterprise.

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