Next Generation Mobile Applications

The new E-Sign Act becomes effective on October 1st, 2000, making digital signatures legal for contracts and transactions. This landmark legislation will have a dramatic impact on many aspects of e-Business, allowing physically-signed documents to be eliminated from any business process. For providers of mobile data services, it opens the door to a world of new applications that require signatures.

For example, ePocrates, Inc. offers qRx for the Palm OS, a drug reference guide used when writing prescriptions, which has more than 100,000 registered users. On August 23rd, the company announced it would use security technology from Certicom to enable wireless electronic prescriptions the ability to enter a prescription and send it to the pharmacy while still visiting with the patient.

THE HURWITZ TAKE: Recent advances in mobile security technology can ensure that a document, created and digitally signed on a mobile device, remains secure during transit and is unchanged when it reaches the authenticated destination. With the introduction of the E-Sign Act, mobile solutions can now be considered for e-Business transactions that require signatures and are highly confidential or personal in nature.

Hurwitz Group believes that mobile capabilities can greatly enhance the Return On Opportunity(tm)* value proposition for many transaction-oriented e-Business applications. In the electronic prescription example, the application value is increased by reducing transcription errors and saving time. These benefits are achieved through immediate communication among physician, pharmacy, and patient, which requires mobile access.

The most significant progress to date in the market adoption of mobile data services has been achieved by applications that address real e- Business needs. Acceptance of digital signatures, and advances in security for mobile communications, combine to create an ideal environment for high- value mobile applications. Hurwitz Group believes this new generation of mobile applications will offer compelling value and accelerate market growth.

* Return On Opportunity (ROO) measures how a technology investment will lead to overall growth and success of the business. Unlike return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO), which analyze the budgetary implications of new hardware and software, ROO is defined in business terms – the ability to seize opportunity for competitive advantage.