Mobile Computing and Networking

Mobile Banking Platforms   

There are two main platforms on which to do mobile banking. First, a basic platform uses SMS and voice recognition software. This platform is based on simple input/output interaction where the bank’s system will text or read to you an inquiry for which the user has to respond with an input. The system provides a response to each step of this process with a corresponding output based on the user requests. This platform has many advantages with the biggest being that it works on almost every cell phone regardless of its level of technology. One disadvantage is not giving the user an interface to actually see everything, which is a big deal in this technological age. Other disadvantages are created by the inherent risks that come with calling and texting, such as poor service or the fact that there is no guarantee a text will be delivered to the recipient (Harris 3).
The second, now more prevalent platform on which to do mobile banking is with an internet-based advanced platform. Almost every bank has an app now as many people move towards smart phones and tablets and virtually everyone has some access to the internet. The two approaches for setting up this type of mobile banking are Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and standalone mobile application (Harris 3).
WAP is the equivalent of accessing Internet pages on a mobile device. These are pages setup for a PC, but they are accessible to mobile devices the same way as they are to computers based on concepts of browsers, servers, URLs and gateways. An advantage of this approach is that users can use web pages they are familiar with using on their computers, and they do not have to download anything, such as an app. A major disadvantage is that mobile devices lack the same level of antivirus and personal firewall protection than a standard personal computer. The constant switching of wireless Internets gives a mobile device exposure to potentially dangerous networks (Harris 4).
The second approach for internet-based mobile banking consists of standalone mobile applications. This requires users to download apps, which are extremely user friendly and allow banks to customize and brand the pages to their liking. This approach is widely regarded as the future of mobile banking. A disadvantage is an app needs the capability to be customized on each phone, greatly increasing development costs. These applications can also be vulnerable to attacks if not protected effectively (Harris 4).