Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to Mobile Computing

The rapidly expanding technology of cellular communication, wireless LANs, and satellite services will make information accessible anywhere and at any time. Regardless of size, most mobile computers will be equipped with a wireless connection to the fixed part of the network, and, perhaps, to other mobile computers. The resulting computing environment, which is often referred to as mobile or nomadic computing, no longer requires users to maintain a fixed and universally known position in the network and enables almost unrestricted mobility. Mobility and portability will create an entire new class of applications and, possibly, new massive markets combining personal computing and consumer electronics.

1.2 What is Mobile Cloud Computing:

Mobile world is primarily dependent of two factors one is Network Stability (2G, 3G, TD-LTE, WIFI, WIMAX etc.,) and second is Handset availability (Feature phones, Smart Phones, Ultra Smart Phones). Currently, there are more feature mobile phone users than smart phone users in world. Since feature mobile phones do not have enough processing power or memory to support huge amounts of data, Cloud Computing seems to be the ideal solution for these feature mobile phone users. Cloud computing will allow these feature mobile phone users to have the same amount of data access like smart phone users, except for the simple fact that feature phone users will not physically have their data stored onto the phone, it will be on their cloud and accessible to them when required.

Mobile Cloud Computing

Another reason why Cloud Computing will have a major impact on the mobile world is due to the popularity of mobile applications on different devices. Mobile Applications have a countless number of benefits to its users but one major hitch which many mobile users face is the fact that some mobile applications will work only on a specific device but not on another device based on mobile platforms, popularly known as Mobile Operating Systems. For example, one mobile application may run only on the Blackberry while it will not work on an Apple iPhone, Same way One application may run on Android (Googles Mobile Operating System) but may not be compatible with Windows OS (Microsofts Mobile operating System) or with Bada phone (Samsungs Mobile Operating System) . This problem of mobile applications only running on specific devices can easily be solved if a user decides to switch and use Cloud Computing as a form of accessing data and applications for their devices; if an application can be accessible from the web, it certainly can be accessible through cloud computing.

The six categories are: M the need for mobility O the need to improve operations B the need to break business barriers I the need to improve information quality L the need to decrease transaction lag E the need to improve efficiency

Mobile Cloud Computing CHAPTER 2

APPLICATIONS OF MOBILE COMPUTING

2.1 Vehicles:Music, news, road conditions, weather reports, and other broadcast information are received via digital audio broadcasting (DAB) with 1.5 Mbit/s. For personal communication, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) phone might be available offering voice and data connectivity with 384 kbit/s. The current position of the car is determined via the global positioning system (GPS). Cars driving in the same area build a local ad-hoc network for the fast exchange of information in emergency situations or to help each other keep a safe distance. In case of an accident, not only will the airbag be triggered, but the police and ambulance service will be informed via an emergency call to a service provider. Buses, trucks, and trains are already transmitting maintenance and logistic information to their home base, which helps to improve organization (fleet management), and saves time and money.

2.2 Emergencies:
An ambulance with a high-quality wireless connection to a hospital can carry vital information about injured persons to the hospital from the scene of the accident. All the necessary steps for this particular type of accident can be prepared and specialists can be consulted for an early diagnosis. Wireless networks are the only means of communication in the case of natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. In the worst cases, only decentralized, wireless ad-hoc networks survive.

Mobile Cloud Computing

2.3Business:
Managers can use mobile computers say, critical presentations to major customers. They can access the latest market share information. At a small recess, they can revise the presentation to take advantage of this information. They can communicate with the office about possible new offers and call meetings for discussing responds to the new proposals. Therefore, mobile computers can leverage competitive advantages. A travelling salesman today needs instant access to the companys database: to ensure that files on his or her laptop reflect the current situation, to enable the company to keep track of all activities of their travelling employees, to keep databases consistent etc. With wireless access, the laptop can be turned into a true mobile office, but efficient and powerful synchronization mechanisms are needed to ensure data consistency.

2.4Credit Card Verification:

At Point of Sale (POS) terminals in shops and supermarkets, when customers use credit cards for transactions, the intercommunication required between the bank central computer and the POS terminal, in order to effect verification of the card usage, can take place quickly and securely over cellular channels using a mobile computer unit. This can speed up the transaction process and relieve congestion at the POS terminals.

Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 3 Mobile Cloud Computing

3.1 Cloud Email

Currently most of the mobile users are accessing Gmail (free Email service from Google) through its feature applications for various Mobile operating systems; this is the best and live example of Mobile Cloud Computing. Here all the Emails are stored on Gmails server and all the processing is also done on its cloud, User has the smart interface on screen of the phone from where he inputs the commands. Processing of commands is done on Gmails server and output is displayed on Mobile phone screen.

3.2 Cloud Music

Cloud music is the latest buzz these days. Revolutionary technology Music Anywhere which allows customers to have access to their music collections from anywhere in the world using their mobile device is a biggest example of where Mobile Cloud Computing is heading. Cloud Music and Streaming is the foreseen future of Cloud Computing and Mobile.

3.3 Cloud Mobile Desktop

Cloud Mobile Desktop tends to be a universal Storage device which can be accessed via Desktop, Laptop, Pads & Even mobile phones. Many companies offer this services wherein they allocate fixed space (Obviously expandable by paying additional amount) to a user in cloud and provides access to it via internet irrespective of the Users instrument. Service gets optimized based on the instruments/ browsers capacity.

Mobile Cloud Computing

3.4 Cloud Print

Cloud Print is also an interesting example of how this concept will revolutionize and be part of our daily operational activities. Primary goal of this service is to build a printing experience that enables any app (web, desktop, or mobile) on any device to print to any printer anywhere in the world. Even though this concept is in a nascent stage / Beta stage available for use in Google chrome version 9 through its Cloud print connector module. Google is planning to release an Android application for Cloud Print in near future. Same way Cloud Video and Cloud Photo will also revolutionize the way we access our videos and Snaps.

Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 4 IMPROVED INFORMATION ACCESSIBILITY

Mobile computing enables improvements in information accessibility. The degree of improvement is directly dependent upon the mobile hardware and communications equipment in use.

For example, a Penslate computer that is operating in the connected mode via a wireless local area network will have much greater information accessibility than a clamshell mobile computer that is operating in batch mode and only connects randomly throughout the day.

The degree of information accessibility required--which defines the hardware and

communications requirements--is determined by the business needs that are driving the mobile computing application.

Mobile Cloud Computing Mobile computing technology (hardware, software, and communications) provides a wide range of options that can be mixed and matched to fit the needs of each individual mobile computing application. system. The mobile computer enables quick and efficient information retrieval The improvements in information accessibility enabled by mobile computing result in improved information flow both to and from the central fixed information

from the central information system.

The ability to access central information and make fixed or ad hoc queries of corporate databases enables employees to get the information they need to complete the job.

The mobile computer also enables transmission of current operational data, in native digital format, from the mobile user to the central fixed information system. Once transmitted to the fixed information system, the data from the mobile user can be processed and made available for all other users of the central information system.

Thus, the information available to a mobile user from the central

information system reflects current information from other mobile users as well. Mobile computing eliminates the delay that occurs when an employee must

physically return to the office at the end of the day and submit paper forms so that data entry personnel can enter the information into the central information system.

Mobile Cloud Computing Even employees that are not continuously connected to the fixed organizational

information system via a wireless link will experience significantly improved information accessibility through mobile computing. One phone call at the end of the day from the mobile user via a standard modem is all that is required to transmit the entire day's transactions to the central computer, saving travel and data entry time. .

Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 5 INCREASED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Mobile computing enables improvements in the operational efficiency of organizations that integrate the technology into their fixed information systems. It enables the computing power and information contained within the fixed information system to be structured around the optimum work flow of a mobile worker, instead of altering the mobile worker's work flow to meet the optimum configuration for computing. The mobile computer stays with the mobile employee, instead of the employee being required to travel to the computer. Mobile computing can improve efficiency in many ways, including: (a) saving time; (b) reducing waste;(c) cutting cycle times; (d) reducing rework; (e) enabling business process reengineering; (f) improving accuracy; (g) decreasing time spent on customer complaints; and (h) reducing unnecessary travel.

5.1 Field Sales

The operational efficiency of sales personnel is significantly enhanced through mobile computing. An excellent example of these improvements can be seen by examining how mobile computing improves the efficiency of remote insurance and financial planning sales. The mobile computer frees the sales agent to meet with the client at the client's home, office, or other location. Customer data is collected, 10

Mobile Cloud Computing estimates and comparisons are immediately calculated, the customer decides on the program of choice, the central computer is immediately updated, and the customer is enrolled in the insurance or financial planning program. Without mobile computing, this sales process would take days instead of minutes. In addition to accessing and updating customer account information, mobile sales personnel can accomplish tasks such as printing invoices or other information to leave with the customer.

5.2 Transportation and Shipping

The transportation and shipping industries benefit greatly from mobile computing. Using mobile computers in conjunction with GPS/GIS and an accompanying vehicle information system (VIS), the operations of an entire transportation fleet can be managed from a central location. The central office knows the location, status, and condition of all vehicles, and operators have two-way communication with the operations center. Using this information, vehicles can be optimally dispatched to maximize efficiency as measured by: (a) time; (b) fuel consumption; And (c) delivery priority

5.3 Hotel Operations

Connecting the cleaning and hospitality staff of a hotel with mobile computing can significantly improve the efficiency of hotel operations. As guests check out and rooms are vacated, the central computer wirelessly signals cleaning staff that the rooms are ready for cleaning. Problems that are identified during cleaning, such as broken appliances or faulty plumbing, are immediately communicated to the mobile maintenance team for action. As soon as cleaning is complete and repairs are accomplished, the cleaning staff member wirelessly updates the central computer and the room is immediately available for check-in by a new guest. The 11

Mobile Cloud Computing same system can be used to efficiently direct mobile hospitality personnel in response to guest requests for information and service.

5.4 News Reporting

Mobile computers dramatically improve the efficiency of news media operations. Reporters equipped with mobile computers and accompanying electronic devices can cover a news or sporting event, take digital video or still photographs, digitally record audio interviews, compose the text of the news story, and transmit the completed product back to the central agency for editing and immediate publication. (Dhawan, 56) In the media industry, the timing and quality of news coverage is critical. Mobile computing increases the quality of the information from the media crews and significantly decreases the time required to process and transmit the story for publication

5.5 Health Care

Mobile medical care, whether in-home, on the road, or within a hospital, is more efficient with mobile computing. The mobile healthcare worker can access patient records for reference purposes, and is able to update records with current diagnosis and treatment information. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responding at the scene of an accident can use mobile computers to capture patient information, treatments accomplished, vital signs, and other critical data. This information is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving hospital, which then prepares to receive and treat the patient, or recommend another hospital facility with more appropriate treatment facilities--depending upon the nature and severity of the injuries. The more efficient hand-off between ambulance EMTs and hospital staff made possible by mobile computing can save lives that otherwise might have been lost

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Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 6 LIMITATION OF MOBILE COMPUTING

6.1 Limitations of Mobile Computing

Resource constraints: Battery Interference: Radio transmission cannot be protected against interference using shielding and result in higher loss rates for transmitted data or higher bit error rates respectively Bandwidth: Although they are continuously increasing, transmission rates are still very low for wireless devices compared to desktop systems. Researchers look for more efficient communication protocols with low overhead. Dynamic changes in communication environment: variations in signal power within a region, thus link delays and connection losses Network Issues: discovery of the connection-service to destination and connection stability Interoperability issues: the varying protocol standards

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Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 7 FUTURE SCOPE FOR MOBILE CLOUD COMPUTING

It is still undecided that what the future truly holds for Cloud Computing and Mobile Cloud Computing, but experts foresee that within 2-3 Years, all technologically superior countries will be using Mobile Cloud Computing as their primary method of accessing data through their Mobile Phones and In fact India will Lead the show due to its higher Mobile Subscribers rate than any other country in the world. The future for Cloud Computing is surely bright, but the end users will have to wait until Cloud Computing reaches its best possible potential stage in the Mobile Industry to have access to innumerous advantages and benefits it have for all the users. No more software updates. Hardware optional. Entertainment unlimited. Medical treatments simplified. Weather Forecasting. Education for all. Freedom from Wallets. Paperless society. No need to rub shoulders Get your location. A new age safety system

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Mobile Cloud Computing

CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION

Mobile computing is an important, evolving technology. It enables mobile personnel to effectively communicate and interact with the fixed organizational information system while remaining unconstrained by physical location. Mobile computing may be implemented using many combinations of hardware, software, and communications technologies. The technologies must be carefully selected and the applications designed to achieve the business needs required from the overall organizational information system. The MOBILE framework can assist information technology professionals in determining the applicability of mobile technology to an organizational problem, opportunity, or directive. Mobile computing is a versatile and potentially strategic technology that improves information quality and accessibility, increases operational efficiency, and enhances management effectiveness.

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