Wireless Devices - Web Enabled Cell Phones

If there are any generalities that can be applied, it is that web enabled cell phones are the least expensive from a capital cost perspective and from an on going monthly data air perspective.

Depending on the model of phone chosen and the length of the airtime contract with a network operator, the one time price of the cell phone can vary from free to a couple of hundred dollars. Airtime fees are paid monthly on a per phone basis to the cellular network operator. Data airtime packages can be obtained from $10 per month to $50 per month, depending on the wireless network and data package chosen. The reason for this preferred pricing is primarily due to two factors. The first is that cell phones are produced in huge volumes so there are manufacturing scales of economy that are passed on to the consumer in the form of reduced prices and secondly, network operators usually subsidize the capital cost of the phone in order to attract the air time revenue. From a capital cost perspective it is very easy to justify replacing the web based cell phone every 2 to 3 years. This allows one to avoid device obsolesce and allows for replacement of the devices before they wear out, become unreliable or simply to gain access to new devices with improved functionality.

The data airtime charge for web based cell phones is generally the lowest of any wireless device available. The reason for this is that for applications that utilize the browser (similar to the browser on you computer but designed to work in a cell phone) in the web enabled cell phone, there is a very structured programming environment that virtually eliminates the possibility of sending very large amounts of data to and from the device. In addition, the data sent to the web enabled cell phone has to be requested by the mobile user (by pressing buttons) and there is limit as to how many times one will request data in a given time period.

Web based cell phones are actually two devices in one, a wireless data device and a voice device. Most network operators require a voice package to be purchased along with a data airtime package. Depending on the wireless network chosen, one can have some of the cell phones in their fleet call restricted to a predefined set of phone numbers such as the office, 911 or selected suppliers. Nextel in the US and Telus (Mike network) in Canada for example, offer voice packages that include unlimited push-to- talk 2 way radio (Direct Connect) functionality, in addition to phone and data capability. This dispatch voice feature combined with data capability turns the cell phone into a very powerful communications device.

While web based cell phones are very competitive from a price perspective, they tend to have smaller displays and keypads, which may be sub optimal in some applications. Applications that utilize the browser in the cell phone tend to not be as functionally rich as other applications that require a client application to run in the wireless device. However, the advantage of the browser model is that as functionality is upgraded in the server, all the mobile users get access to the new functionality immediately. This is because all information displayed in the wireless phone browser is "pulled" from the server, so any changes made are immediately available.

Most web enabled cell phones that utilize browsers are required to be in cellular coverage in order to communicate with the server. Most applications limit the amount of caching (local storage of information in the device) in the device. This is done to ensure that the most up to date information is available to the mobile worker. The issue here is that if the cell phone is out of coverage, the mobile worker cannot update the status of their activities or get new work assignments. The significance of this can be evaluated by examining the service area that needs to be covered by one's mobile work force verses the coverage area provided by the cellular network operator.

One method to have the wireless device still operate while outside of cellular coverage is to have a client application run on the wireless device. A recent generation of web enabled cell phones allows an application to be downloaded and executed in the phone. These applications are sometimes referred to as Java App’s or Java Applications. With a Java App, there usually is an ability to update a workers status and view other work assignments that are cached (stored) on the device. For example, a courier delivery person could enter the number of pieces delivered and enter the person's name to whom the packages were delivered (Proof of Delivery), all while out of the coverage area. As soon as the person re-enters the coverage area of the cellular system, the information would be updated to the office workforce management system (in this case, the Courier Software system). The updated information would be time and date-stamped to the actual time the buttons were pressed by the delivery person.

If there is a specific client application in the device (such as a Java applet) then any changes in the software may necessitate that the Java or client app needs to be upgraded to access the new functionality. For large and geographically dispersed fleets this can be an expensive and time-consuming task. However, some new providers of Java applications or wireless gateway providers (such as Nextel) offer automatic over-the-air updates to the field worker devices.

In summary, web-based cell phones have very attractive features such as low capital cost, low operating cost in terms of data air time, excellent portability, combined voice/data capability, high durability (some specific models), and ease of implementation (when the server application functionality is upgraded)

These benefits must be weighed against the disadvantages of smaller screen size, limited keyboard/key pad and limited processing power. (as compared to a PDA or notebook PC)

Web Enabled Cell Phones - Pro's

	Low capital cost
	Low operating cost (data air time)
	Rugged – some phones have been tested to Military Specifications for ruggedness
	Small physical size
	voice and data in one device
	new phones can run Java Apps – to allow for out over coverage operation

Web Enabled Cell Phones - Con's

	Small display
	Limited keyboard / key pad
	Limited ability to run programs
	Phones with browsers do not operate when out of coverage