Enabling Software

The next category within the technology enablers segment comprises those companies that provide enabling software. Enabling software is a catchall term for a long list of software that ranges all the way from programming languages to operating systems, microbrowsers, development platforms, security systems, middleware, and application programming interfaces. In essence, this type of software is “the brains” behind the functions that add value to the Wireless Value Web. Enabling software runs the devices we have talked about; allows providers of information to create, format, and distribute their offerings; securely manages data and their transfer between network nodes; and provides the back-end mechanisms to complete m-Commerce transactions.

The most critical enabling software for user devices includes operating systems, browsers, and other programs required to run the device. Remember that we do not include end-user applications in this category. The reason, as you will recall, is that end-users directly interact with these applications, which places them into the first orbit around the customer. End-user applications are part of the application developers category of the content segment. Enabling software is running in the background, mostly invisible to the customer handling the wireless device. Critical success factors for these companies are those that make the company’s product become a standard. Whether operating system or browser, once the software has found its way into a large base of handsets or PDAs, its platform status provides long-term viability as application developers build their programs upon the standard.

Taken From : Enterprise Guide to Gaining Business Value from Mobile Technologies

Similar Posts:

None Found

Filed under: Earn Profits

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!