Honeywell Launches AIDC Developer Program for Android Apps

Dave Courbanou

August 16, 2011

2 Min Read
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You can’t escape it, it’s everywhere, it’s the consumerization of IT. Jumping on the bandwagon is Honeywell, which has launched an Android-specific mobile developer program for ISVs developing software for the automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) market. Sound intriguing? Here’s what ISVs, developers and, yes, even end users should know about Honeywell’s new initiative …

Honeywell has, like many other companies, observed the effects mobile devices are having in the emerging enterprise marketplace. But just how much, exactly? To find out, Honeywell commissioned a study of the smartphone market to Booz & Company which, unsurprisingly, found that working on mobile devices is essentially the wave of the future. What’s more, the study showed Android would be the mobile OS of choice thanks to the ‘open’ and flexible nature of the platform.

But outside the results of the study, Honeywell’s ISV developer program was launched for two reasons:

  1. Honeywell is developing its own mobile devices for the AIDC market and wants to give its ISVs the ability to craft specific and optimized applications for Honeywell’s mobile lineup. Dubbing it a “test bed,” for now, Honeywell wants to ensure optimal compatibility and a solid base of software for the eventual launch of its hardware.

  2. Honeywell’s desire to create a community of Android developers also means there’s the potential for end users to speak up about the feature sets they want in an AIDC app ecosystem. End users with a “voice” on what they truly need in an enterprise-grade application can mean success for ISVs developing them.

Honeywell’s developer program for Android is available today. Those who sign up also will receive access to Honeywell’s ISVstore.com, which acts as a portal for information on building applications for upcoming Honeywell devices and includes online and joint marketing opportunities, according to Honeywell. ISVs already on board include ClickSoftware, Mobile Tornado and Vodafone, to name a few.

Conspicuously absent? Any real details on what kind of Android-based AIDC hardware will be released. We’ll keep our eyes open for Honeywell’s eventual hardware release, which should be coming sooner than later.

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