Developing and deploying a solution that provides mobile access to enterprise data sources is challenging. In order to create a successful solution, many factors have to be taken into consideration. These include wireless connectivity, device type, target user base, enterprise integration, power consumption, and security. Three mobile architectures can be used to address these issues: wireless Internet, smart client, and messaging. Each of these systems has advantages and disadvantages that have to be weighed when making any decision. In many cases, the idea solution will include a combination of two, or possibly all three, architectures.
Part II of this book is dedicated to smart client application development, and Part III to thin client development. But before we move on to those sections, in the next chapter we will take a closer look at mobile wireless messaging technologies.