SAP has launched a mobile software
application and has added mobility features to its existing
applications to help companies provide business information
toremote workers.
The products are designed to give mobile workers - from
salespeople to service technicians - access to enterprise data
through a variety of
mobile devices.
The latest version of SAP Netweaver Mobile will allow
organisations to build customised mobile applications using
service oriented architectures.
Support for geographic information systems and
radio frequency identification technology have been added to
SAP
xApps composite applications for mobile business. These
enhancements are designed to allow mobile service workers to plan
travel routes and track time spent at each job, which could improve
service and efficiency, said SAP.
SAP Netweaver Mobile and xApps integrate with SAP Business
Suite and can be combined with non-SAP systems so that developers
can select the exact data their remote users need.
Other capabilities provide delivery personnel with simpler
payment processing and inventory control to help validate the cash
and product flow from their vehicles and provide up-to-date
inventory information.
"Mobile investment for sales force automation and field service
management are growing dramatically in this environment because
every major customer relationship management
[
CRM] initiative can be enhanced by mobile," said William Clark,
research vice-president at analyst firm Gartner.
Gartner has predicted that by 2009, 70% of customer-facing
enterprises will offer wireless connectivity to services that are
also available through traditional channels.
"Enterprises should solicit feedback from end-users before,
during and after the pilot and deployment of mobile CRM
applications, hardware and network connectivity. Choose hardware
and networks that best reflect the coverage, input and physical
requirements of the work sites," said Clark.
Enhancements for SAP xApp Mobile Sales and SAP xApp Mobile Asset
Management are available now. SAP xApp Mobile Service for Handhelds
is expected to be available in 2008. SAP Mobile In-store Inventory
Management is expected in the autumn, and SAP Netweaver Mobile is
due to be released on a restricted basis in November.
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