Mobile in NI

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Mobile in NI

• John McKernan
• Deputy Director
• NI e-Government Unit

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Maybe What is mobile? is the wrong question
But what is mobile?

• Maybe the question we should start with is
• What can mobile do for us?

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Does the Technology Work?

• Approached by JLS
• Innovative proposal based on choice for the
  mobile worker.
• Proof of Concept Pilot established
• Guidance Officially launched on 12th February 2003

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Project Objectives

• The main objectives of the pilot were to provide
• a proof of concept for mobile working with a
  number of currently available devices
• a solution which addressed the interoperability
  between current software such as Microsoft
  Exchange and Lotus Notes
• a solution that addressed the main applications
  currently in use which included as a minimum
  mail, calendar and contacts databases.

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Partners in the Pilot - Then
Business Development Service
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The Technology

• Infrared / Bluetooth
• Nokia 6310i, 9210, 8310
• Ericsson T68i, T38
• HP iPaq
• HP Jornada
• Palm Pilots
• Toshiba Notebooks
• Fujitsu Lifebooks
• Sony Vaios
• Wireless Knowledge Workstyle Server
• Movian VPN Clients
• Cisco VPN Clients

movianVPN
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Mobile Access Architecture
FIREWALL
BLUETOOTH
ENABLED PDA
RUNNING A VPN
CLIENT

Tunnelled connection
ROUTER
CRYPTOCARD
RADIUS SERVER
NICS ACCESS POINT NODE ON THE
VODAFONE GPRS NETWORK
WORKSTYLE SERVER
Tunnelled connection
BLUETOOTH AND GPRS
ENABLED MOBILE
PHONE
NOTES SERVER
FIREWALL
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Security Features

• Password protected PDAs and Mobiles
• GPRS dedicated data leased line to BDS
• SIM details of Mobiles allowed on to GPRS
  connection
• Only devices using specific IP addresses allowed
  through the tunnel
• Unique Access Point Node (APN) not available to
  anyone else
• Username Password protection for access to
  information management server.

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The Business Benefits

• Access to email and MIS systems anytime,
  regardless of location
• Dissemination of up to date information
• Reduced need to send/receive faxes
• Use of GPRS and 3G provides better value for
  money than Hotel or GSM connections
• No reconfiguration of hardware or dial in
  connections even whilst abroad
• Personnel encouraged to check email etc on a more
  regular basis.

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Lessons Learnt - Technical

• Devices with standardised built-in Bluetooth
  connectivity were much less problematic than
  those using infrared or 3rd party Bluetooth
  cards. (With the exception of the Socket PCMCIA
  Bluetooth Kit)
• The Ericsson mobile phones were slightly easier
  to configure than the Nokias
• GPRS and (3G where available) connectivity allows
  for fast and efficient access to the servers
• Teething problems with GPRS/3G account
  activation
• Difficult at times in identifying Remote access
  problems (rare occurrences).

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Lessons Learnt - Business

• Easy and satisfying method of remote access
• Once familiar with the system and the ability to
  work from any location it is very difficult to do
  without it. Taken for granted
• The Pilot has highlighted the improved Business
  benefits that remote access affords us
• GPRS (and particularly 3G) connections provides
  substantial savings over landline connections
• The Remote Access System will incur additional
  costs in respect of hardware and software. This
  will need to be offset against improved
  efficiencies and savings made over landline
  usage
• The system is of substantial benefit to senior
  officers and affords improved functionality to
  Ministers and in particular, Ministerial and
  Press Office staff.

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The Evolution of Mobile
Mobile Age
Internet Age
New Age
Voice/ Text/Web Apps / Solutions Content/ Video/
Location
Voice/Text/Web
Complexity of Product
Voice Text
3G
2.5G
2G
Mobile Co. Distributors
Partners/ISPs IT Alliances
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Comparison of 3G/GPRS Speed
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Partners in the Pilot - Now
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Mobile Access Route to Citrix Metaframe Server
FIREWALL
Digitally signed Tunnelled connection
ROUTER
RADIUS SERVER
CITRIX METAFRAME SERVER
CRYPTOCARD
NICS ACCESS POINT NODE ON THE
VODAFONE 3G NETWORK
Digitally signed Tunnelled connection

3G CARD
NOTES SERVER
DEPARTMENTAL NETWORK SERVERS
SONY VAIO (OR SIMILAR DEVICE)
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User Logon
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Vodafone SVPN
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Connection to SVPN
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Thin Client Desktop
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What Else is Happening?

• DARD Cattle Inspectors
• Ordnance Survey
• NIHE
• DENI Inspectors
• SCS
• Mobile Study (outward facing)
• Blackberry

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NI Mobile Study

• 378,000 drive to work
• 44,000 use public transport
• 27,000 are 16 (GCSE)
• 25,000 are 18 (A-level)
• Unemployment service 28,000 as an audience

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Selection Criteria
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For further information

• John.mckernan_at_ofmdfmni.gov.uk
• www.onlineNI.net
• 028 9052 4359
• 07876 136 913

john_at_onlineni.net