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Is ERP on the iPad a realitiy for a mobile enterprise?
Seems like SAP, AT&T for middleware, etc. are getting on the bandwagon, but Microsoft pulled its mobile version of Dynamics. The pundits have their eye on the iPad as a great delivery tool for mobile ERP. Wondering what potential users and your experts think of this model?
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7 Answers
Without a doubt, mobile devices are significant going forward. You mentioned SAP, as an example: their acquisition of Sybase is all about mobile.
The question becomes one of appropriate tool to fit the job. For mobile workers -- sales people, consultants, and truckers, as a few examples -- mobile is highly desirable. Being connected to core company data is efficient and convenient, both for the remote worker and for the enterprise, which ideally wants accurate, up to date information in the system at all times.
On the other hand, mobile devices are limited by screen size, keyboard, processor power, memory, and so on. Therefore, they are not suitable to all workers. For example, someone creating engineering diagrams will not want an iPhone.
Still, mobile will definitely be an important part of the ERP landscape of the future. Over time the industry will migrate more and more functionality to platforms such as the iPad.
I cannot offer an expert opinion, but I did see something not long ago which suggested that iPaf cannot multi-task. Therefore from my point of view, it's very limited in terms of ERP capability. It has other advantages of course, but if a windows based tablet or ultra lightweight laptop is the alternative, I think corporates would go with those.
regards,
David
I cannot offer an expert opinion, but I did see something not long ago which suggested that iPaf cannot multi-task. Therefore from my point of view, it's very limited in terms of ERP capability. It has other advantages of course, but if a windows based tablet or ultra lightweight laptop is the alternative, I think corporates would go with those.
regards,
David
The iPad will be the most significant change to the ERP ecosystem in decades. It's not just about mobile. If you are focused on "mobile" you are missing the bigger picture.
Check out the blog iPadERP.blogspot.com to learn more
Mobility has been sorely missing from ERP for decades. The architecture of the ERP's themselves has been in the inhibitor. The "form factor" of the iPad has been tried for years by companies truly in Enterprise Mobility and it just doesn't work well. The form factor will continue to have its place but it will be limited to "soft" workers such as sales. The "hard" workers, including all workers that perform tasks, will continue to gravitate toward rugged, small form factor devices. So the iPad will be used but not nearly with as much impact as others might suggest.
We are looking toward the iPad as a data collection tool for a mobile QC technician out on the floor. From what we see right now it is a relatively low cost interactive clip-board providing real-time data collection into the server database.
I am certain there are other uses but for now we see it in tactical applications with limited focus. That is true for our industry - formula manufacturing (food, chemical etc).
I think the web might be the middle ground - as web browsers on mobile devices get smarter, web-based ERPs will automatically be accessible. This is also the least cost path for vendors.
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