QConnect Managed Wireless Service:

Transcription

1 QConnect Managed Wireless Service: Providing a Seamless Conduit Between Mobile Devices and Back-End Systems QCONNECT WHITE PAPER

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Introduction QConnect Managed Wireless Service QConnect Service Advantages QConnect Service Elements Detailed Analysis of QConnect Service Operation QUALCOMM s Mobile Communication Credentials Getting Connected Conclusion About QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions

3 Executive Summary Today s mobile application and device providers require three basic deliverables from their wireless communication service: dependable, secure, robust data delivery; the ability to support sophisticated functions that add critical value to mobile applications; and a demonstrated commitment to customer service that ensures timely and effective problem resolution. QUALCOMM s QConnect managed wireless service has been built from the ground up as a single-source, end-to-end conduit that bridges the gap between mobile applications/devices and back-end systems. The QConnect service begins by utilizing commercially available code division multiple access (CDMA) wireless networks that offer the largest cellular coverage footprint in the United States while increasing security by avoiding the public Internet to route data. To address the unique coverage challenges of wireless transmissions, the QConnect service builds on this foundation by utilizing QUALCOMM s mobile management code and wireless optimized messaging protocols. Together with 365-day customer service and monitoring, this approach ensures that QUALCOMM can supply the three basic deliverables that mobile application and device providers demand. page 1

4 Introduction The Challenge Facing Mobile Application Providers and Their Customers Many organizations, including those within healthcare, transportation, logistics, and other industries, are discovering that in order to offer valuable new mobile applications and devices to end users, they must be able to obtain and deliver reliable, high-performance wireless communication services. In particular, the wireless communication services upon which they rely must possess the basic characteristics of dependable data delivery, security, and robust performance. Furthermore, these communication services must be able to support functions that add value to the mobile applications. These include store-and-forward data delivery, device provisioning, monitoring, and usage reporting for mobile devices and the wireless network, as well as integrated voice and data billing and resolution of carrier issues. Finally, the wireless communication services must be supported by an organization that can demonstrate a satisfactory record of 24-hour, 365-day customer service and escalation procedures that ensure problems are resolved in a timely and effective manner to minimize application downtime. Without this three-fold combination of basic wireless communication service, value-added functionality, and a commitment to customer service, the mobile applications will be unable to deliver value to the end user or company implementing the solution. page 2

5 QConnect Managed Wireless Service Overview QUALCOMM has addressed these requirements through the QConnect service, which is specifically designed for wireless communications. In order to take advantage of the numerous benefits of wireless communications, it is critical to deliver services that address the inherent challenges of the technology described in this white paper. The QConnect service provides a bi-directional wireless link that supports a range of mobile applications forming a vital bridge between mobile devices and an organization s fixed-site data center, servers, or corporate databases. It also enables mobile application/device providers to utilize a single source for all wireless communications services. The QConnect service is built upon commercially available CDMA wireless networks that offer the largest nationwide cellular coverage footprint in the United States. By relying on QUALCOMM s partnership with these cellular providers, the QConnect service can avoid the necessity of routing data over the public Internet. The resultant managed service is an enhanced, end-to-end communications conduit for connecting mobile applications to corporate back-end systems regardless of the commercial industry. For example, the QConnect service is used in the healthcare industry to transmit vital data such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, enabling healthcare professionals to diagnose a patient s symptoms without requiring lengthy tests or a stay in the hospital. In the trucking and logistics industry, the QConnect service is used to transmit key information about the operation of fleet vehicles including their precise location, speed, and engine performance while also making it possible to maintain personal contact with vehicle drivers. page 3

6 QConnect Service Advantages Reliable data delivery (store-and-forward messaging platform) Enhanced security (CDMA wireless network not exposed to the public Internet) Mobile device and network provisioning, service monitoring, and usage reporting Wireless airtime services with integrated voice and data billing Tax reporting to manage the implications of long-distance and cellular calling Telecommunications carrier issue resolution Ability to support both large and small bi-directional message transfers Efficient use of the underlying commercial wireless network via data communications protocols and network management elements Multi-platform support including Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW ), VxWorks, Windows, WinCE, Linux, and other platforms 24-hour, 365-day monitoring and customer service with fully redundant QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions Network Operations Center (QWBS NOC) to assist in troubleshooting and correcting problems reported by the application/device provider s customers Escalation procedures to ensure problem resolution in a timely, effective manner to minimize application downtime Additional Web-based support to track the status of mobile unit communication Single-source provision of all wireless communications services The QConnect service has been designed to ensure reliable data delivery and handle the disconnections and interruptions that typical mobile applications often experience due to lack of uniform coverage. This is accomplished through QUALCOMM s mobile management code and wireless optimized messaging protocols. Mobile devices can be anything from BREW-based cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, or special purpose hardware. Regardless of the device, all QConnect service users also have an application residing in a data center that communicates with the mobile device and processes information received. page 4

7 QConnect Service Elements The QConnect service offering includes the following four elements: The QConnect service communications management software available for various mobile devices The nationwide commercial telecommunications network operated by QUALCOMM s telecommunications partners The QWBS NOC, which is a high availability, fully redundant data center that sits between the application/device provider s data center and the mobile device to provide secure, reliable messaging Integration services to the enterprise system application in the application/device provider s data center Key Elements of the QConnect Service In a typical operational scenario as depicted above, the mobile device sends data transmissions through the commercial CDMA network. The commercial network routes transmissions directly to the QWBS NOC, which communicates the information to the application/device provider s enterprise system through a dedicated link. Conversely, transmissions may originate within the enterprise system element and communicate through the QWBS NOC to the commercial network for delivery to the mobile device. The QConnect service acts as a conduit between the mobile device and the application/device provider s enterprise system. page 5

8 Detailed Analysis of QConnect Service Operation Application Layer The QConnect service, utilizing the QWBS NOC, manages the communication between each mobile device and the application/device provider s enterprise system. A store-and-forward messaging capability is included, which uses both industry-standard and QUALCOMM-optimized protocols to ensure a reliable end-to-end data transfer. The QConnect service enables the applications hosted at either end of the data transmission (mobile device or enterprise system) to communicate without concern for any of the networking elements or attendant protocols that lie between the endpoints. This has the effect of abstracting all the application communications to the top-most layer of the protocol stack, thereby insulating the application from all the underlying layers and the unique characteristics of the disparate components that comprise the physical (hardware) layer. Mobile Enterprise Application Layer QConnect Service Application APIs Web Services Transport Layer QUALCOMM Wireless Optimized Reliable Protocols Industry Standard Protocol Networking Layer TCP/IP or UDP TCP/IP Physical Layer Commercial Cellular Network Dedicated Circuit or VPN QConnect Service Layers The mobile application layer, known as Portable Communications (PCOM), is a library integrated into the mobile application to provide reliable and robust two-way message-based communication between the mobile device and the QWBS NOC. A Web services-based application using industry standard protocols enables the application/device provider to perform various back-end functions such as device provisioning. page 6

9 Transport Layer The transport layer consists of two segments: (1) the mobile device to the QWBS NOC segment, and (2) the QWBS NOC to the enterprise system segment. The connection between the QWBS NOC and the mobile device was specially developed to leverage QUALCOMM s years of experience in the operation of wireless data networks. This effort was necessary to address the challenges posed by wireless networks, which do not exist with local area networks (LANs). For example, wireless networking suffers when the mobile device is beyond the area of wireless network coverage, or is unable to maintain a connection as a result of low signal strength. Wireless networking can also deteriorate because of competition for cellular channels from other devices using the network. Furthermore, wireless networking is significantly more expensive than a wireline medium, and care must be taken not to exaggerate the cost associated with increasing communication reliability. Through its years of experience, QUALCOMM has determined that industry standard protocols are not optimized for communication with mobile devices. To remedy these deficiencies, QUALCOMM took the approach of creating a set of messagebased communication protocols specifically designed to address the challenges of wireless communication. As a result, the QConnect service offers a more efficient use of the underlying wireless network by using protocols tailored for the specific messaging characteristics of the mobile application. The connection between the QWBS NOC and the application/device provider s data center is based on a Web services model for the exchange of messages. Since the link between the enterprise system and the QWBS NOC is wire-based, the QConnect service supports industry standard protocols to accomplish communication. page 7

10 Networking Layer The mobile device to QWBS NOC networking segment can use either transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) or user datagram protocol (UDP) as the transport mechanism, while the NOC-to-enterprise segment always uses TCP/IP. Physical Layer The physical layer comprises three primary segments: (1) the wireless connection between the mobile device and the commercial network, (2) the connection between the commercial network and the QWBS NOC, and (3) the connection between the QWBS NOC and the application/device provider s (or its customer s) enterprise system element. First, the mobile device communicates with the wireless network using the CDMA 2000 (1xRTT) standard. Short for single carrier (1x) radio transmission technology, 1xRTT is a third generation (3G) wireless technology with the capability of providing speeds of up to 144 Kbps. Second, the direct connection between the commercial CDMA network and the QWBS NOC is a dedicated frame relay circuit linking their respective elements. This direct connection enables the QWBS NOC to communicate directly to the mobile device on the wireless network. Third, the connection between the QWBS NOC and the enterprise system element is either a dedicated frame relay circuit, fractional T1, or a virtual private network (VPN). The result is an end-to-end managed physical layer that is controlled and monitored by the QWBS NOC on a 24-hour, 365-day basis. This ensures that any failures or disruptions in any segment of the physical layer are quickly detected and corrected creating a reliable foundation for the QConnect service. page 8

11 QUALCOMM s Mobile Communication Credentials QUALCOMM is one of the most accomplished providers of mobile application services, and its long and successful experience in developing and operating mobile applications uniquely positions it to offer wireless communications services to other mobile application/device providers. In the late 1980s, QUALCOMM introduced the OmniTRACS mobile communications solution, and now has more than 500,000 mobile units shipped worldwide. The QWBS NOC processes more than 9 million data transactions per day. In recent years, QUALCOMM has developed similar offerings targeted at additional industries, such as heavy construction equipment, that require tracking and management of mobile assets. Application/device providers using the QConnect service in their solutions are ideally positioned to benefit from QUALCOMM s expertise in developing, deploying, and operating its own wireless mobile applications. In fact, the QConnect service was developed by QUALCOMM specifically to meet the need for robust fully-managed wireless service offerings that permit mobile application/device providers to readily develop and deploy new wireless solutions that can serve a wide variety of vertical markets. Working with its commercial network operating partners, QUALCOMM is able to provide reliable, responsive, robust services that immediately add value to mobile applications and devices by supplying the required underlying communication services. page 9

12 Getting Connected QUALCOMM has developed a reference implementation of the software needed to implement the QConnect service communications scheme and related protocols in a mobile device. This reference implementation readily adapts to the run-time environment used in application service providers mobile devices. It includes C++ source-code format, and already has been adapted to a number of environments including BREW, Win32, Windows Mobile /Pocket PC, VXWorks, and embedded Linux. Furthermore, the application program interface (API) is fully documented, and QUALCOMM provides development support in accordance with tailored agreements for application/device providers that choose to utilize the QConnect service. The QConnect service Web site supports mobile-device provisioning, enabling application/device providers to rapidly provision mobile devices for customers. Providers can also use the Web site to de-provision devices, extract billing invoices electronically, and obtain account usage statistics. QUALCOMM also provides 24-hour, 365-day customer support to assist in troubleshooting and correcting problems reported by the application/device provider s customers. Escalation procedures ensure that problems are resolved in a timely and effective manner to minimize downtime. page 10

13 Conclusion QUALCOMM s QConnect managed wireless service is a one stop shop for application/device providers seeking to deploy critical wireless communicationbased applications in either consumer or vertical markets. QUALCOMM s expertise in wireless communication systems development and operation ensures that new mobile applications will be founded upon a rock-solid, reliable communication service that enhances the application/device provider s opportunity for success. page 11

14 About QWBS QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions (QWBS) provides companies around the globe with industry-leading mobility platforms, applications and services that are ideal for mission-critical applications. Products include the OmniTRACS, OmniOne, and GlobalTRACS two-way data communication solutions, productivity-enhancing applications, and wireless advisory and managed network services. These products serve a variety of industries, including transportation and logistics, third-party logistics, construction, petroleum, retail, food and beverage, and health care. Contact Information QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions 5775 Morehouse Drive San Diego, CA (800) qwbs@qualcomm.com page 12