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Considerations for Migrating Mobile Devices from the Windows Mobile Operating System to Android Operating System

By Shawn Vadnais posted 05-06-2020 16:40

  
DSI develops applications that work within standard mobile device operating systems. However, Microsoft has phased out the Windows Mobile operating system, which means Microsoft will stop issuing software updates and security patches. The transition will impact all customers running Windows Mobile on their mobile devices. It will also introduce the following concerns:
  • Once support for Windows Mobile ends, users won’t have assistance fighting viruses or adding applications. This means there is potential for your data to be compromised.
  • Relying on an unsupported product is challenging when the device is central to your organization’s operational processes.
  • Any device on a Wi-Fi network can be a source of malware into that network.
All major hardware developers have made Android their operating system of choice. Android is an open-source and customizable operating system with vast developer resources and a rich ecosystem of apps. It is secure and provides total control over your operating system, devices, and apps. DSI Mobile Client supports Android, iOS, and Telnet as the operating system for mobile devices.

If you are considering replacing your Windows Mobile devices with devices running the Android operating system (which offers a more robust mobile experience).

When considering a replacement device using the Android operating system, its important to consider the device functionality specific to the Android OS. Here are some functional considerations.

Cursor Positioning
  • Native Android devices do not recognize the initial cursor position on prompt and response screens. Users are required to touch the screen to set the field focus.
  • Honeywell or Zebra Android devices recognize the cursor focus, however, the cursor is positioned but is not visible. The preferred solution for Honeywell Android devices works well but looks slightly different. 
Scan Ahead Functionality
  • Scan Ahead functionality is not currently supported in the Android operating system. This is an operating System-level feature. DSI is considering a workaround. A small number of DSI clients depended on this functionality but they do not represent a significant user count. If Scan Ahead functionality is important to your business, please contact DSI to discuss your business needs and the options available.
Formatting Clauses

  • There may be issues with the Windows Mobile operating system-level formatting clauses, for example, dates, decimal places, and commas being used instead of the clauses provided in our toolset. The only practical way to determine this is to look at the code. However, given the way a lot of code was developed, it would require an intensive review of every field and screen. Using the formatting clauses provided in our toolset is the suggested fix. It is not likely any of the DSI consultants deviated from the clauses provided in our toolkit - so it should only present itself in code developed by a client or possibly a partner.
Tables and Fixed Width Fonts

  • Again, the Android operating system does not support native monotype fonts. With a monotype font all characters occupy the same amount of space allowing columns of data to be aligned. Tables display using the Android operating system, however, they may look a little different.
Absolute Positioning

  • The Android operating system does not resolve absolute positioning well. It works, but it may look odd. This is partially due to the fonts – monospace-type fonts are not available in Android. The Android operating system is based on pixel positioning (a carryover from MS-DOS). DSI knows of one case where the customer was using a small screen on a wearable device in which the absolute positioning caused the screen to require a scroll to see the entry field. Applications developed with absolute positioning may require a small amount of rework to solve the problem.
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