2011 International Field Directors & Technologies Conference

Transcription

1 2011 International Field Directors & Technologies Conference Research and Development on Mobile Devices and the Environment Needed for Data Collection By Geof Pejsa Technologies Management Office US Census Bureau

2 Research and Development on Mobile Devices and the Environment Needed for Data Collection Discussion Agenda - Why we are looking at tablets and smartphones - Infrastructure needed to support such devices - Backend databases - Security - Mobile device management - Tl Telecommunications - Operating systems - Software application development - Interviewing in a disconnected telecomm world

3 Census Mobile Data Collection Background The Census Mission: To serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy Field Data Collectors: We typically have approximately 6,000 Field Representatives on staff; due to a temporary increase for the American Housing survey, we will surge to approximately 9,000 during CY 2011.

4 Census Mobile Data Collection Background Field Reps currently have an HP 2530 notebook that has a built-in DVD, HSPD-12 compliant card reader, and multiple batteries Typically we conduct a technology refresh every 4 years. Our HP laptops were deployed in O t t h l f h i l t d f 2014 Our next technology refresh is slated for Our R&D program is geared towards developing a comprehensive mobile infrastructure to support our data collection needs for the 2014 tech refresh

5 Why we are looking at tablets and smartphones Business needs are growing g and these new systems may be able to address our new business needs Need to collect mapping data including GPS map spots and geographic feature recordation We need accurate data more quickly and need to reduce costs There is a proliferation of new devices, operating systems, and form factors that are challenging existing data collection approaches. Computing devices can be found in 4, 5, 7, 10 and larger screen size formats; there are tradeoffs for field data collection based on size, weight, data input capabilities, amongst others Some of the recent mobile operating systems offer newer capabilities (touch or gesture based input and navigation)

6 Why we are looking at tablet and smartphones Expanded functionality is now becoming available that was not commercially available just a few years ago. Built-in cameras (for capture and video communication) GPS data collection Usability may be improved Lighter and more flexible computing devices Gesture-based data entry Longer battery life may be possible Tablets can be held with one hand versus notebooks Cost savings; are tablets/phones cheaper?

7 Infrastructure Needed to Support New Devices Our mobile solutions must be able to effectively interface with our Enterprise infrastructure Backend databases are Oracle Network connectivity must be through secured VPNs Access to enterprise payroll application Security must be baked in from the beginning HSPD-12 PIV2 card access is required Full disk encryption (or equivalency) Remote sanitization and wiping

8 Infrastructure Needed to Support New Devices Mobile device management (MDM) is a critical infrastructure need in order to control access Device image management Data backup Operating system upgrades and patches Malware prevention updates Software application deployments Device activation Remote wiping Enterprise App Store

9 Infrastructure Needed to Support New Devices Telecommunications Must have access to 4G or 3G cellular wireless connectivity Secure access to home networks for selective use of home broadband (if available) Multi-factor authentication must be used in a cost effective, yet usable fashion in the environment they work in Our systems must support heterogeneous mobile devices Operating Systems Census currently is a Windows desktop o/s environment at headquarters New operating systems (Google Android, Apple IOS) must interface with our infrastructure

10 Software Application Development We face several challenges in developing software for new platforms and devices: How will we address legacy issues (e.g. Blaise survey instruments) What development strategy makes the most sense? Web-based (browser) applications Native applications Hybrid applications (part web and part native) How do we code and distribute software to mobile devices? High level (4G) coding to support multiple devices with generic code Native device coding for each device supported

11 Interviewing in a Disconnected Telecomm World Regardless of the device, operating system, mobile device management software, or security method, we must be able to conduct work when we do not have network/internet connectivity. How will we meet that challenge? Areas we plan to examine: HTML 5. This solution may offer methods to gather data during period of time when we have no or limited network connectivity Native Coding. What is the level of effort necessary to use native code for each environment?

12 So where are we now in our R&D efforts? We have purchased a small number of: Motorola Xooms 10 tablets(google Android OS) Apple Ipad 1 10 tablets (Apple IOS ) Asus 13 tablets (Windows 7 OS) Apple Ipod Touch 3.5 smart phone (Apple IOS) We have begun to analyze various mobile database solutions Sybase Oracle Berkley Mobile device management packages are being investigated Boxtone, MobileIron, Airwatch, Sybase, & more

13 So where are we now in our R&D efforts? We have started to code a relatively simplistic survey instrument on multiple devices, form factors, and operating systems There are many multi platform 4G coding engines that show some promise: Pyxxis Monotouch Iformbuilder Native coding on the Apple IOS platform has been a challenge but also shows promise We hope to do demonstrate concepts to our Field Directorate partners later in 2011

14 Demonstration with the Apple Ipad, Ipod Touch, and Motorola Xoom We used the Census 2010 Enumeration Questionnaire as our survey instrument We chose to use several cross-platform development approaches (monotouch, iformbuilder, etc.) to allow for Windows 7, Android, and Apple IOS development with the same source code Each of the approaches are rudimentary and are designed to demonstrate a concept w/o suggesting it is the chosen path. This is simply R&D.

15 The End Thank you for your time and attention! Please contact me with any questions: Geofrey Pejsa Assistant Division Chief, Research, Development & Special Projects Technologies Management Office US Census Bureau or

16 BACKUP SLIDES

17 Motorola Xoom Demo (Android O/S Tablet)

18 Apple Ipad Demo (Apple IOS)

19 Apple Ipod Touch Demo (Apple IOS)

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