What needs to happen to make Mobile Business Intelligence Happen?
Mobile BI is much talked about, people like the concept, is a great tool for the CXO level officers, but CIOs and IT has been very wary of Mobile BI.
They have Security Concerns. What happens to the data if the Smart Phone or the Tablet is stolen?
What happens if the person leaves the company, the mobile device is their own and data is left behind?
What happens to data security when highly sensitive BI from the company is sent over the airwaves to a mobile device?
All are valid concerns but can be addressed systematically and under a series of specific topics of concern:
- Continuous Rollout-and Updates Management - Mobile Apps should behave like mobile apps. Apps should be able to update themselves whenever there is an update.
- End User - Use Case Based Roles and Permissions - Who needs access to what data and at what level. If the data itself is not accessible, Mobile version of the BI may not raise special concerns.
- Mobile Security - Enforceable but flexible Security Policy - The Security Policy needs to be tight, But reality is that a mix of devices will be present in any company - some owned by the individual and some owned by the company. But if the app brings in company data, then security should be enforceable on that device. If not, no access. Remote wipes after each usage can make sure that access is available but not stored oin the device. Remote wipe should be available if the device is lost, stolen or the employee leaves the company. No Remote wipe, No Mobile BI!
- Business Continuity Issues for Mobile BI - Careful storage of non-sensitive information may be allowed on local storage. For slicing and dicing information, sometimes mobile devices may be in disconnected mode. Going back and forth between a server for that may be a non-starter. In such cases, local storage may still be allowed but if changes are made, synchronization may need to be implemented between connected and disconnected modes of operation.
There are a handful of issues that could be taken care of so that Mobile BI becomes a reality and the real concerns of CIOs and IT in any company are addressed.
The full potential of labor can be utilized only if there is mobility in labor. - Paul Hoffman
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