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:

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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