subject: Customer Databases And Mobile Technology [print this page] Mobile customer database applications are a successful way to make more efficient business processes and ensure that end users always have access to the significant corporate information they need to do their jobs. Although large enterprises be likely to be the ones that invest most heavily in mobility, smaller businesses can also benefit from mobilizing their data. Some people think mobile and online are same, but they are not the same thing. Online applications need a consistent and dependable network connection to an external server. Browser-based applications are the classic examples of online applications. But a mobile application that continues to work even when network connectivity is lost, unlike an online application. Being disconnected from the network does not stop the application dead in its tracks. This is a significant feature for many mobile users. Many mobile workers move in and out of network coverage on a regular basis while doing their jobs but need information to be always available. Online solutions do not work well for these kinds of workers.
The mobile applications user database operations are faster and can occur at any time. This consequence is much better and less annoying experience for the user. Of course, accessing a local database store makes the design and implementation of the mobile application more complex. Even if the application works standalone, without the network, eventually some kind of data exchange must occur between the local data store and one or more external servers. Depending on the design of the application, keeping track of changes and dealing with potential conflicts can be quite challenging to manage. Mobile database programs often take longer and more skill to develop than their online user databases.
Mobile database applications can also savings in network costs. Data costs on mobile networks can be surprisingly high when using online applications, especially browser-based applications. Though the open costs of developing mobile database applications are typically higher than online applications, the savings on network costs can be quite substantial and make these applications must more cost-effective than their online equivalents. It's certainly something to consider the next time you develop or purchase a mobile application.
