Telemetry use cases: Mobile applications

Mobile applications are applications that run on wireless devices. The devices are either generic application platforms or custom devices.

General platforms include handheld devices such as phones and personal data assistants, and portable devices such as notebook computers. Custom devices use special purpose hardware tailored to specific applications. A device to record "signed-for" parcel delivery is an example of a custom mobile device. Applications on custom mobile devices are often built on a generic software platform.

Invisibility

The deployment of custom mobile applications is managed, and can include configuration of the MQTT client application. Invisibility is unlikely to be a major requirement when configuring the MQTT client.

Uneven connectivity

Unlike the local hub topology of the preceding use cases, mobile clients connect remotely. The client application layer connects directly to an application at the central hub.

Security

With little physical security, the mobile device, and the mobile user must be authenticated. SSL is used to confirm the identity of the device, and JAAS to authenticate the user.

Connectivity

If the mobile application depends on wireless coverage, it must be able to operate offline, and to deal efficiently with an interrupted connection. In this environment, the goal is to stay connected, but the application must be able to store and forward messages. Often the messages are orders, or delivery confirmations, and have important business value. They need to be stored and forwarded reliably.

Scalability

Scalability is not a major issue. The numbers of application clients are likely to not to exceed the thousands, or tens of thousands, in custom mobile application use cases.