Top research and analyst firm, Gartner, has added fuel to the argument that Mobile Business Intelligence (BI) is set to become the primary method for the delivery and consumption of reporting and analytics, naming tablet PCs and mobile-centric applications as the top two strategic technology considerations facing enterprise IT leaders in 2012.
Media tablets and mobile-centric applications formed part of Gartner’s 2012 top 10 technologies and trends predications as presented at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, October 20.
“These top 10 technologies will be strategic for most organizations, and IT leaders should use this list in their strategic planning process by reviewing the technologies and how they fit into their expected needs,” said David Cearley, vice president and Gartner fellow.
Media Tablets and Beyond
Gartner listed media tablets as the top strategic technological consideration for businesses heading into 2012, citing a number of potential complications and benefits.
“IT leaders need a managed diversity program to address multiple form factors, as well as employees bringing their own smartphones and tablet devices into the workplace,” said Gartner.
“IT needs to address a number of additional issues such as surfacing and managing APIs to access enterprise information and systems, integration with third-party applications.”
Gartner also noted that because “Users can choose between various form factors when it comes to mobile computing… No single platform, form factor or technology will dominate and companies should expect to manage a diverse environment with two to four intelligent clients through 2015.”
Mobile-Centric Applications and Interfaces
Gartner identified the accompanying development of new mobile applications and interfaces as the next biggest factor to impact enterprise IT strategies, proclaiming that the world is in the midst of witnessing a User Interface (UI) paradigm shift.
“UIs with windows, icons, menus, and pointers will be replaced by mobile-centric interfaces emphasizing touch, gesture, search, voice and video,” said Gartner. “Applications themselves are likely to shift to… span a variety of device types… that can be assembled into more complex solutions.”
Gartner went on to say in an official statement that “mobile enterprise platform tools are emerging to make it easier to develop in this cross-platform environment” and that “HTML5 will also provide a long-term model to address some of the cross-platform issues.”
Gartner defines a strategic technology as one with the potential for significant impact on the enterprise in the next three years. Factors that denote significant impact include a high potential for disruption to IT or the business, the need for a major dollar investment, or the risk of being late to adopt.
A strategic technology may be an existing technology that has matured and/or become suitable for a wider range of uses. It may also be an emerging technology that offers an opportunity for strategic business advantage for early adopters or with potential for significant market disruption in the next five years. These technologies impact the organization’s long-term plans, programs and initiatives.
The original statement and Gartner’s other eight strategic technologies for 2012 can be found here: http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1826214
Yellowfin: Ahead of the game, set to redefine Mobile BI
At Yellowfin, we fundamentally believe that advances in both consumer and enterprise mobile technologies, in conjunction with shifting working habits and environments, means that a significant proportion of BI will be consumed via mobile devices – primarily tablet PCs.
To embrace the potential of emerging mobile devices and applications, and accommodate new expectations surrounding the delivery of corporate information, Yellowfin offers the ability to receive mobile analytics out-of-the-box. Yellowfin’s native applications for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices, as well as new HTML 5 integration, makes Mobile BI easy on any device.
And, on top of that, we’re about to unveil a unique mobile reporting and analytics experience. An experience that will change the way people use and think about Mobile Business Intelligence…