MBA论文：手机银行 The mobile banking
时间:2016-05-14 22:34:18 来源:www.ukthesis.org 作者：英国论文网 点击:77次
手机银行 Mobile devices have greater reach all around the world especially in developing nations with lower knowledge of its existence. At the same time they provide a fast and effective way for customers to send money to dependants in other countries or location. As it is said, Mobile banking is big news in Africa which started out in countries as South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria where mobile phone users especially in the urban areas traded minutes by sending credits to their relatives in villages in order to communicate with them when the need arises. But then these transactions took up an increased trend by building awareness for Mobile banking deriving various mobile banking platforms such as the SMS, WAP etc. [21]#p#分页标题#e# In West Africa, there are concerns on how this can be implemented and how the customers would embrace such technology. This will be discussed further in chapter 2 and 5. The mobile banking transaction consists of three main components and these are:
The User - Customers who make use of the application The mobile phone has become an invasive device which has fewer disadvantages than most technologies. The answer to this can be said based on its penetration in poor economies (Africa in particular) and a customer's demand for the use of telecommunication. With a mobile phone, people can be reachable and have a secure mobile device in the palm of their hands to easily get information anytime they desire which makes communication easy. The Mobile Network Operator may also be classified as a server supplier which serves as a link between the mobile user and the mobile phone in transacting data. [10] Mobile banking offers the prospect of increasing the efficiency of payment systems and also expanding the access to financial services. These objectives may be in tension based on financial integrity or consumer protection. [31] Mobile banking has also had its criticisms, one being security. The fact still remains that there are measures in place to tackle such risks involved especially in terms of fraud or money laundry. [29] The mobile banking services have expanded in Africa cutting across East, West and the southern region of Africa. In Kenya today, a customer can send money via mobile using the Short Message Services (SMS) mobile banking platform. [24] It has been spoken about the potential expansion for mobile banking as its awareness builds around Africa and how it could lower the cost of banking and build a customer-banker relationship. [6]
In implementing a mobile banking structure, there are varieties of mobile banking platforms such as short Message Service (SMS), Mobile web (WAP) and Mobile Client application (J2ME, BREW etc.) and so on. Each Mobile banking platform has its strengths and weaknesses which in effect is important to identify, for this will enhance further development in its future prospect and be appropriate for financial services. [17] Mobile client application also known to be standalone mobile application is most suitable to implement for a complex financial transaction. A basic requirement for mobile client application platform to be implemented is that of the software been required to be downloaded on the mobile device before it could be used, though further requirements will be needed to support the development environment (J2ME) to function on the device. [20] The J2ME client application connects to a server through the wireless enabled device or GPRS which allow customers gain access their bank statements and also perform other banking transactions such as money transfers, pay bills etc. With the support of Nokia Ltd, developers have easy access to development tools by opening an online community for developers focused in developing applications based on J2ME. [29] Therefore the scope highlights a broad view of the project in implementing a mobile banking application using J2ME - Java 2 application. The hardware devices to be used are - a Mobile device and a PC /Laptop. The software tools used are Sun Java Wireless Toolkit 2.5.2 for CLDC, NetBeans IDE 6.8, MySQL server, Apache web server, Edit Plus 3, Notepad etc.
The purpose of this project is to design and implement a mobile banking application demonstrating its benefits and tackling flaws encountered in its implementation, thereby creating an awareness of the banking platforms which best ensures a safe and secure means of transacting data in West Africa. Therefore i embark on implementing the project and then demonstrate how it will function. The objectives of this project that has been formulated to aid the implementation and success of the project are: To investigate current Mobile banking platforms, methods and technologies used in West Africa and how effective and productive it has been to the countries/nations. This was carried out with the aid of Journals, articles and information from the internet and media. To investigate and determine the benefits, threats, and weaknesses of implementing a mobile banking application in West African region. To investigate on the security breaches in existence and measures to be taken into consideration when implementing the application due to a high risk of data exposure in that region.
To derive techniques to be used to implement the application on a mobile device. This chapter will analyze, investigate and discuss views on the methods involved in implementing a mobile client application in West Africa and how this can be implemented. Various challenges that may disrupt the implementation will be discussed thereby formulating a means of solving its challenges and how to improve the current situation.
The author will also address general questions arising from exploration of countries in West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana in particular) and how this will be solved.
This chapter will explain the structure, meaning and various types of mobile banking in existence. With a clear structure in place, the project will encompass methods and steps to ensure a successful implementation of mobile banking platforms in West Africa.
This chapter critically examines the implementation process involved in deriving a method that can be implemented, steps to be taken into consideration and testing of the application. The various steps taken will be derived from Unified Software Development Process (USDP). USDP is a generic process for the UML and will apply the iterative lifecycle model of USDP. [17] [10]
The final chapter will encapsulate the previous chapters and the author will discuss on further development to ensure the progress of the project, future improvement in the system designed and how it will be beneficial to the case study chosen. The conclusion will talk about the state at which the project was completed and what more can be implemented. There are 15 countries in West Africa; but in my research i will engage on using a sample size (limiting my search to two countries - Nigeria and Ghana), whereby i will analyze and investigate the development of mobile banking and its effect caused in the implementation in those countries. [2]#p#分页标题#e# This will enable a fair view recommendation in my conclusion thereby concluding on which mobile platform can best be applied. Both countries (Nigeria & Ghana) have active Mobile banking initiatives currently implemented; but as low and middle income countries respectively, they come from different starting points and face different issues. As such, they help to frame the particular questions which are focused to derive a result in the implementation of Mobile banking in West Africa. These few questions are:
What is happening to mobile banking in these developing countries, and is it likely to lead to greater accessibility and affordability? In my research, i realized that mobile banking platforms follow a wide range of mobile application expansion in West Africa where so many banks are embarking on the system. This was because of the success of new mobile devices manufactured to provide excellent characteristics with larger processing power, large amount of memory, enabled Java programming and GPRS/GPS service.[4] Furthermore, mobile network operators in the Western region of Africa adopted 2.5G network, which uses GPRS as an information bearer. With the expansion of 3G networks, it has made mobile banking more productive. These type of networks enable greater amount of data to be transmitted between the client and server applications using much secure and stable connectivity. [4] With the adoption of the 2G network, WAP was implemented and due to disadvantages in terms of security and availability, the development of the mobile client application was introduced. WAP mobile application was useful for less powerful mobile devices. [4] [9]Taking a look at other West African countries like Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Niger etc. in which they know little about mobile banking, with an awareness and banks adopting mobile banking platforms, these nations will adopt mobile banking platforms.#p#分页标题#e# The vast major countries in West Africa in which mobile banking is implemented are Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and few others. [3]
In carrying out my analysis on the growth and implementation of mobile banking in West Africa, i looked at developing countries in that region and examined how effective mobile banking can be. In my research, i sampled two countries - Nigeria and Ghana and examined all aspects relating to the project topic. The growth of Mobile banking in Nigeria started in 2006 beginning with the SMS system of banking which is widely common and still practiced. The WAP and Mobile client application system started in 2008 and ever since has been expanding in technology. Internet banking is one of the mobile banking systems that had a low penetration rate in Nigeria due to poor internet facilities and a high cost of acquiring internet service (Table 2.1).[3] Globa Com - a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) uses the SMS system of banking in collaboration using some banks in the country. According to the official of Globa Com, in which he stated that Glo Mobile banking subscribers will soon have access to paying bills and other utility bills on their mobile with a collaboration with several financial organizations. This proves the growth and expansion on Mobile banking in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa. As at 2008, the internet banking system had a 6% penetration rate in a population of 140million in Nigeria. In regards to mobile banking, its penetration rate is close to 50% with a prospect for more expansion as analyzed below. [4] One may ask why a large difference between both banking systems. This is due to low infrastructure and technology in satellite transmission across West Africa.
In Ghana, There are measures to ensure the wide spread of Mobile banking services for commercial banks have been advised to introduce mobile banking platforms to enable its customers in carrying out banking services even outside the banking premises which was the only way to transfer funds, check balances etc. [5] As analyzed above in table 2.1, mobile banking services has penetrated in both countries compared to internet banking which has very low penetration. For Mobile client applications to be implemented, a mobile device with GPRS, WAP enabled and java compatibility should be used. These applications implement secure API and web service technology. Mobile banking features on a mobile phone have been provided to users in which it is secure and easy to use. This concept is a competitive advantage on the market of mobile phone manufacturers in which competitive advantage is the possibility of success. [13]
Emmanuel Okoegwale stated in his report that offshore transfer of WAP mobile banking was a disaster based on an internet-based technology applied to the mobile which was a slow, unreliable and costly system for customers in Nigeria with poor coverage, handset limitation and inadequate customer awareness to the system. At the moment, the SMS system of banking is dominant for mobile banking transaction. [4]#p#分页标题#e# With the standardization of the 3rd generation mobile communication systems in 2000, technology became a vital impart in the world of mobile banking. In 2000, 2.5G - 2.75G network increased the data transmission. Then, the 3G network system which transmits wideband TDMA and CDMA, voice and high bit-rate data and portable units. There are speculations of the 4th generation mobile communication systems called the 4G to be implemented in 2010. The current mobile technology used in Ghana and Nigeria are:
SMS (The “request - reply??? text application) With the SMS system, the user can request for his current balance by (requesting) sending a text to a bank message code and then get a response. The message code helps to identify the user and then recognise his request, in which it will initiate a response (sending his current balance). The disadvantage of SMS system of banking is that scammers send SMS messages identifying themselves as the bank, and also request for further bank details from the user such as PIN number, account number etc. This fraud has made the SMS system of banking insecure. This method is still experienced in Nigeria and Ghana respectively as i was able to identify that as a challenge. Another disadvantage is the user cannot store his credit card information on the mobile devices to pay a bill due to poor mobile infrastructure in place in West Africa. Also, no payment history can be derived from the mobile device when using an SMS system of banking.
WAP (Web Application) In Ghana and Nigeria, most mobile handset users use sophisticated handsets with GPRS, 3G and wireless enabled. Few banks such as Diamond, Intercontinental, Bank PHP and Ghanaian Commercial bank have adopted this method of banking, but yet to completely introduce it to all their customers. This is due to the long wait and procedure their customers have to take in registering for the facility. Some banks have created a special web page which will be suitable for their customers to register on their mobile screens.#p#分页标题#e# Mobile browsers are vulnerable to the same security risk been experienced in internet banking. However, there are differences in terms of safer means of transacting data on a mobile device than on the PC or laptop. This is because as at June 2009,[21a] creators of Trojan horses viruses and other types have not fully focused on the mobile market; though viruses still affect mobile devices, but it is not as rampant as the PC or laptop.
J2ME (Java Application) Applications as this are highly secure due to its implementation and information designed to function with a security algorithm, whereby all banks use different security algorithms.
The disadvantage in using this method is programs downloaded on a mobile device can be stored and if not signed or logged out, it could be vulnerable to security risk. This can be tackled by introducing a timeout system method when implementing the code.[21a]
There are various network connectivity used in mobile transmission. Mobile device users communicate using wireless networks anywhere at any given time. Mobile devices can be connected as well at any place and at anytime to the wireless network. Wireless network connectivity are regulated by frequencies. The user receives wireless network connection on his mobile on the frequency and wavelength of the antenna. Signal problems may occur based on the blocking and reflection of large buildings, the size of wavelength may be too small and the distance of the wireless antennas (mast) may be too far. This has been further tackled in developed nations, but West African countries still experience these problems. Signals can take many different paths and may case delay (3-12 micro seconds). [17]
The effects of low or no signals in West Africa are based on short and long term fading of the signals. The short - term fading can be classified as buildings, hills, trees etc., while the long term fading can be said to be the distance between the sender and the receiver, for it may change when the user moves to a different coverage area.
Mobile devices come in different ranges, shapes and sizes. This is why mobile developers cannot system the same mobile platforms for another mobile device. For example, mobile applications developed to function on a Nokia handset will not function on a Windows Mobile/ Windows CE handset, though some applications may function on handsets manufactured by different companies. An example is the snake game on a Nokia and Sony Ericsson handset. This is due to the specification in both devices which will be further explained. Also, these devices are manufactured by different companies using different techniques. Mobile devices are categorised into:#p#分页标题#e#
These devices use a mobile 5 and 2003 pocket edition platform to function. Types of devices in these categories are XDA, SPV-M, MDA, I-MATE, HTC S623 etc.
These devices use a Symbian platform to function. Types of devices in these categories are P900, N series, W series, 9300 communicator etc. The blackberry device is a unique kind of device, for it has its unique platform and for such features (such as push e-mails) to function, it will need to register with RIM company, and then be connected to the blackberry enterprise server (BES). With other devices such the HTC device you can download the outlook e-mail feature from the mobile web. Palm Smart phones——Palm智能手机 The palm device also uses Microsoft mobile 5 platforms along with the palm Operating System (OS) platform. Devices in this category are Treo 600, Treo 650, Centro, Palm pre etc. Microsoft PDA phones, smart phones are also manufactured by Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Palm and other mobile companies. These devices have similar functions which are:
They have the push e-mail function Analysing these mobile devices in terms of usage in Nigeria and Ghana, most people are so focus driven when new kinds of mobile handsets are introduced into the market. They look forward to having one without the knowledge of its features or technology. The mobile platforms in use are listed and some are explained below:
Symbian platform Symbian is known to be an open source operating system (OS) specifically designed for mobile devices and smart phones with frameworks, libraries and user interface originally developed by the company - Symbian LTD. [29b] The Symbian platform is specifically engineered to handle error (which is similar to Java) and uses the concept of a server rather than traditional device drivers. The Symbian platform uses an SDK development environment. Figure 2.3 shows the architecture of the Symbian platform.#p#分页标题#e#
Java platform The growth of mobile devices reached the critical mass which made Sun re-launch a smaller version of their SDK called J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition). J2ME now retains integration with larger SDK' Sun like Palm OS and Symbian platforms. The architecture of J2ME (as shown in figure 2.3) was further partitioned into the virtual machines, configurations and profiles(as shown on figure 2.4). The J2ME also has support for OTA provisioning. Java ME technology was created in order to handle the constraints connected with building applications for small devices.
Palm OS Palm functions with a single -tasking third -party kernel which was developed by KADAK. It has a real-time operating system which is able to handle hardware interruption while task switching.
EVALUATION AND FINDINGS Before implementing a Mobile client application, such evaluations should be carried out by using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, this will enable me carryout a proper implementation of Mobile banking in West Africa. In achieving my findings, I carried out various objectives which are listed below:
I carried out a search to analyse the current Mobile banking Structure existing in West Africa and how effective, accessible and affordable it has been to the economies or nations. This was carried out with the aid of Journals, Articles and information from the internet and media.
An evaluation of my findings from my literature search was carried out to determine the benefits, threats, and the weaknesses of implementing a mobile banking application in West African region. Security measures were derived when implementing the application due to a high risk of data protection in that region.
What techniques were introduced in current mobile banking platforms? According to Sola fanawopo(2008) on the growth in mobile banking services in Nigeria, he stated that “some of the transactions that can be conducted with Glo Mobile banking include - checking balances, viewing of the last five transactions on account. He also stated Glo Mobile (Owner by Globa Com) subscribers can transfer money from one account to another within the same bank.[23] Emmanuel Okoegwale in an article went further to elaborate on when Nigeria started using Mobile banking system which he said started by transaction based activities whereby customers were notified through the SMS system of banking in respect to the recent banking transactions done on their account.[3] With the recent penetration of internet and Java enabled mobile devices, Nigerian banks deployed full fledged banking through mobile device with various means of services made available, but this was made possible in the bank. The internet being a channel to mobile banking had penetration rate of 6 percent (%) in a population of 140million,with mobile technology been close to 50 percent (%) penetration with prospect for growth.( see table 2.1) [4] The banking sector in Ghana has witnessed a significant amount of transformation in the adoption of banking which also known in Ghana as ‘m-banking'.[3] According to Daniel Nonor's report on mobile banking in Ghana, he said “subscribers to the facility in Ghana still account for a tiny percentage of the banking public, but fast gaining grounds???. He went further to explain the use of advanced mobile phones and services by Ghanaians who have embraced the mobile technology. [1] One of Ghanaian's top banks - ‘Ghana Commercial bank' GCB is yet to introduce the mobile client system of banking to their customers in 2010. [24] MTN ( one of West African's mobile service operators launched mobile banking in Ghana called MTN Mobile Money which will allow customers pay for utility services, transfer money and other banking services. For this to function, customers will have to register with authorized mobile money agents or partnership banks. [5] Ivatury and Mas (2008) predicted that poor people in developing countries are more likely to use mobile phones in undertaking financial transactions. [8] However, there exists poor internet connectivity in most countries in West Africa in which banks and other financial institutions had to formulate a means of enhancing the development of banking services to be made easy for their customers. A viable solution they adopted was the mobile banking. [15]#p#分页标题#e# Notwithstanding the prospect, the reality today is that Mobile banking is at an early stage. Though a precise number is not available, it is likely that fewer than a million people in West Africa currently make use of their mobile phones for financial transactions. Most African providers of Mobile banking services reported that the major constrain to their growth related to uncertainties over customer adoption in which is mostly common as at an early stage of market development. Another constrain is regulatory issues like the uneducated customer who do not know the requirements and access to banking services. [22] Before developing the requirements needed to adopt mobile banking in a country, it is worth acknowledging to analyze the significant impact on whether Mobile banking can or will take effect in that country. Firstly, Mobile banking requires that customers have access to mobile phones. In regards to countries where network coverage and usage is growing strongly are more likely to develop widespread Mobile banking applications, the relationship is not linear, however countries with low levels but rapid rates of growth as in Liberia, Niger etc., network capacity may be overstretched. The potential for rapid growth may be in a very high peak in countries where levels of usage have already reached critical mass, and where increasing inter-network competition creates the push and pull system to consider additional product offerings. [9] Secondly, because of the ongoing need for access to cash, mobile banking benefits from the existence of an accessible existing payment system which allows cash withdrawal. There are factors that suggest that the potential for take-off of Mobile banking may be highest in middle or low income markets which of course are the cases when looking at the analysis. However, predicting take-off in a particular market is inherently uncertain, since it will depend on particular conditions there. More important for now, is to ask whether the banking sector is willing to enable the startup and development of mobile banking systems with transformational potential. [9] In countries like Nigeria, Togo, Ghana where mobile banking has begun penetrating into the financial market, this will be an easy means of further expanding its technology for example, from SMS banking to WAP system. By comparison, the penetration of retail banking systems in most West African countries is very low. While no reliable figures for the proportion of people banked yet exist at continental level, national household surveys are providing more reliable information for certain countries. [4] Highlighting the cases of Nigeria and Ghana is the focus of my research. People have mobile phones as they have bank accounts, even though the latter have been available for a long period but find it uncomfortable to keep their money there.
Mobile banking has the potential to be expanding more than predicted for it uses existing mobile services which has been known by people with low knowledge of banking ( especially in rural areas). Countries in Africa with sufficiently large retail banking customer base, such as Kenya , Nigeria , South Africa and Zimbabwe have added on mobile banking services to their economy, although more mobile banking platforms are yet to be implemented in such countries.[5]#p#分页标题#e#
I gathered a lot of supporting information and knowledge regarding the above defined search areas. Among them were significant literatures which have been derived and applied and potential documents were separated as a further help and a reference for developing the entire project. All these literatures have been listed as references at the end of this report. In mobile banking, data is usually transmitted electronically over a wireless communication system and also the internet. In doing so, the issue of confidentiality and authentication will arise. These processes therefore raise issues of how important is the confidentiality of a data and how users are authenticated with unidentified keys. Based on how low the development of mobile security is in developing countries compared to developed ones, mobile banking has not been diffused into the society. This also is affected by the low rate of internet access. However, the recent increase in mobile technology has made it possible for a solution to be derived. Increasing penetration of mobile banking platforms in West Africa and the rest of the world has its limits which are:
Mobile devices have a limited set of user interface functionality in terms of input and output of data. Mobile devices also display one “screen??? information at a time.[11] The solution to these causes lies in the hands of financial institutions and MNOs, in which they could negotiate on a fast, secure and customer friendly mobile banking experience. It is a lot harder in constructing the service without the involvement of MNOs .
Mobile network operators control the key element in terms of the security measures put in place which is usually embedded within the handset. The service will function under an unsafe condition inorder to get the right technology needed to run the application. [8]#p#分页标题#e# Mobile banking applications play a significant role in the banking environment which favours the poor in developing countries. To grow the acceptance of the mobile banking platforms (especially Mobile client application) among developers and customers, the method to be used should be easy to implement and introduce. There are two or more considerations examined while in the development of a mobile application. Some of which are based on the success of the component adopted by developers and a software application (Platform or tool) abstraction for the mobile applications. Mobile application platform (such as NetBeans IDE, Wireless Toolkit etc.) serves as a conduit point in organizing the functionality required by a mobile application. A mobile application tool then communicates with the computing environment as a client application of one or more server-side services. It also organizes the functionality of mobile devices as a tool used by mobile users and by the server -side application.
Mobile application is evaluated by an extensible structure for Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) applications of J2ME that run in small mobile devices. [28] The mobile banking platforms can be delivered to the consumer through application environments which are the Client-side application and the Server- side application. The Client-side applications are applications that reside on the consumers' on mobile device. Server-side applications are developed on a server away from the consumer mobile device. They include SMS, WAP standalone client application and many more. The Financial institution would only need to select one of these applications for implementation. However, in some market environment it would be wise to implement more than one application in order to manage consumer acceptance. The selected application should not have an effect on where the mobile banking platform should sit. Mobile banking platform is typically customized by either a mobile banking developer or the specialized technology unit within a bank or financial institution. [6] Each of these technologies requires that the consumer registers or activate the application with the financial institution/bank offering the service in the country. This registration process is defined by the service provider (when considering the server -side technology) and serves as an initial identification of the consumer to ensure ongoing trust in, and security of, the transaction. There are numerous methods of registering or activating customers in existence, all of which require the endorsement of financial institutions offering the service. [6]#p#分页标题#e# In Nigeria and Ghana, customers have got to visit the bank to register for Mobile banking facility in which they will be given a form to fill and then instructed to come along with the mobile device to be configured ( in the case of WAP and Mobile Client application). Indeed this is a long process and considering the fact there will be a queue in the bank. In server-side applications, consumer data are typically stored in a secured environment (mainly the bank's server) or at their allocated Mobile network provider. [6]
In client-side applications, this is different, for the consumer data is typically stored on the application, or entered by the consumer, and encrypted by the application in the SIM or handset. [6] From Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia defines mobile banking as “a term used for performing balance checks, account transactions, payments etc. through the use of a mobile device???.[30] According to Emmanuel Okoegwale (2008), mobile banking refers to “a provision of banking and financial services with the help of mobile telecommunication devices???.[3] David Porteous also explains mobile banking in his report on ‘the enabling environment for mobile banking in Africa', in which he stated mobile banking includes a mobile payment process that can be accessed by a mobile device in making payments, which develops the possibility to the broader range of other banking services. [22]
According to Ignacio Mas and Kabir Kumar (2008), they defined mobile banking in a customer's view stating “mobile banking presents a delicate balance between being able to transact any time, any where??? and “the practical challenges for particular menu sequences on small screens and tiny buttons.??? [8] SMS (Short Messaging Service) banking system is one of the most common type of mobile banking that allows customers to send and receive text messages on their mobile handsets using the numbered or qwerty keypad on the mobile device to input characters. The SMS service is hosted on a SMS gateway which connects to the mobile service. The mobile network operators offer users the ability to subscribe to the services in which will comprise of current events on sports, entertainment and news content by sending these information directly to their mobile phone in the form of an SMS. [6] SMS Banking requires a customer to be registered to initiate a transaction by sending a structured SMS (SSMS) message to the bank's server. The customer will request for his account data by sending an SMS request containing a service command to the bank. The customer will then confirm the unique word identifier to instruct the SMS gateway to submit the message. Upon receipt of the request, bank then responds with a reply SMS containing the data requested.[6]#p#分页标题#e#
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) IVR requires a registered user to make a call in the bank or anywhere to the banks' phone number which will be answered by a pre-recorded voice. The interactive voice response system will then take the command request instructions from the user by recording the tones of the number the user keyed in or if through speaking, the words heard. [20] The service provider would use the consumer's mobile number forwarded by the network operator to identify the user and as a factor of authentication. Finally, IVR means of banking is user friendly but may be expensive to the user who needs to make what can be a relatively lengthy call. This will be dependent on who pays for the call depending on whether it is a free number or not. [20]
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Banks monitor their websites in which their customers are authorized to access using mobile devices which should have a WAP compatible browser. WAP browser provides most of the necessary services of a computer based web browser. The difference on a mobile device is its simplicity in operation regardless of the restrictions in the size of memory and speed. WAP or mobile internet banking offers a consumer a similar experience to that of internet banking. [20] To obtain internet connectivity on a mobile device, the device should be WAP enabled and the website information should be described in a wireless markup language format. The consumer would browse to a mobile internet site by accessing the WAP browser on their mobile phone and entering the website address. The actual banking application resides at the bank and is secured and monitored in the same way as an internet banking website. [6] The mobile phone and bearer (GPRS) is used to display or transmit the data between the consumer and the bank. A user's mobile device would need to be capable (functionality developed and loaded by the handset manufacturer) and have the right configuration (provided by the bank) in order to support WAP Banking.[20]#p#分页标题#e#
Mobile Client Application (Standalone application) Moreso, mobile client application is different from WAP (which involves browsing the web to locate the bank's website), for it should be downloaded to a mobile device where once clicked, it will require the user to enter an authentication key provided to identify the exact user. The authentication will be verified by the bank server application. The combination of mobile client application on the mobile device and the server component enables easy access to banking services, a strong authentication and also an encryption of the user's data. [19] Mobile client application offers secure and powerful application functionality while protecting the user and the application dad on the mobile device. There are currently different smart phone operating systems which are stated: The blackberry, palm, linux, symbian, windows mobile etc.
Data Security in implementing Mobile Application
The user ID and password authentication for access to a Customer's financial data;
Mobile client application is said to be a more secure mobile banking platform for transmitting of data, for a bank server can allow for strong authentication and an encryption of customer's data; It can be at risk of malware attacking the client application on the mobile device. [19] From a point of view, Mobile banking applications are differentiated by a runtime environment in which they are executed. These differences are:
Native platforms and operating systems, such as Symbian, Blackberry windows mobile and Linux. The client application on the mobile device and the server component enables transactions to be assessed including the access to all mobile banking functionalities, strong authentication and encryption of sensitive data. Based on my research about mobile banking in West Africa, banks and financial organisation use the SMS and WAP mobile banking in which very few offer Mobile Client Application services. The reason why mobile client application is not commonly used is due to several factors not considered by banks and financial services (including MNOs). [20]
In Nigeria, only two banks (Intercontinental bank plc and PHB bank) have introduced mobile client application platform to their customers. In Ghana, banks are still yet to implement the platform.
The J2ME Universe Configurations present complete Java executable environment composed of three parts:#p#分页标题#e# Java VM (Java Virtual Machine) which executes bytecode, interface between genuine code and implementation system, set of basic Java Runtime classes. J2ME platform defines two configurations, CLDC (Connected Limited Device Configuration) and CDC (Connected Device Configuration). CLDC encompasses mobile phones, pagers, PDAs and other mobile devices. It is also aimed at smaller devices than the CDC. [16] CLDC is designed for devices with memory ranging from 160KB to 512KB available for the java platform. CLDC is also known to be based around a small JVM called the KVM. CDC is a connected device which has a minimum 512KB of read - only memory (ROM), 256KB of random access memory (RAM). It is also designed for devices such as car navigation systems, PDAs etc. [12] Profiles are sets of a high-level APIs which defines the application life-cycle model and access to mobile device-specific properties. These APIs are set of new classes, new functionalities not introduced in basic configurations. These APIs include classes for user interface, persistent storage and networking.
For example, most of profiles define classes for interactive user interface development. Profile which is widely used on mobile devices is Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP), based on CLDC configuration. MIDP specification defines hardware, software and network requirements as well as application management. MIDP is designed to be used on mobile devices with limited resources, like processor power, amount of memory, keyboard and screen. This specification has classes for HTTP protocol. [12] Within this platform there are two configurations that is the Connected device Configuration (CDC) which is known for devices that have a minimum memory of 2MB used by java VM and its class libraries; The Connected Limited device configuration (CLDC) which is classified as the building block on which J2ME profiles are built. [16] In the implementation process we will be using the (CLDC) configuration because the defined characteristics of the cellular handset fall under this category. [16] The CLDC defines a specification for a JVM and a set of java classes (libraries). The minimum software and hardware requirements for CLDC are:
128 kilobytes of memory for running the JVM and CLDC libraries.#p#分页标题#e# The mobile phone will have enough memory capability to support the application and have sufficient graphic ability to display the application. Once installed on the mobile phone, the application would use WAP, GPRS, GPS or SMS to transfer the consumers' data or instruction from the device to the service provider. This can be in an encrypted format.
The mobile client application environment can be downloaded onto the mobile device and used across any Java enabled mobile device that supports mobile internet. A consumer would browse through his mobile phone menu until they finds the J2ME application, select and launch the application, and follow the Java browser menus to complete a transaction. The data is typically encrypted prior to leaving the handset and being sent to the financial service or bank. Once received, the financial institution or bank would decrypt the message and process the consumer's instruction. [16] To ensure confidentiality a symmetric encryption algorithm using a one time password entered by the user will be used. This password will only be known by the server application and the user (which is stored on the client application on the mobile device).[14] On completing processing, the secure message will then be sent to the server through the Wireless network or GPRS. The Server will be responsible for receiving and decoding the secure message sent. The server will check to ascertain that the message is suitable for a secure protocol. It will then proceed to check for the account identifier from the message and find out if the identifier exists in the server database. After the above check the server decrypts the message using the one time password. The password will be discarded when the decryption is successful. The transaction will finally be performed when all the security checks have passed.
Finally the back-up database will serve as a store for the user's financing and security details. The communication between the server and the back-up database will be independent from the one between the mobile device and the server. In this project we shall specifically concentrate on the security of communication between the server and the mobile application.[9]#p#分页标题#e#
Software
Hardware
Steps of iterative model This process is then repeated to derive a new technique for the software development. An illustration of this process is shown below:
PHASE I: REQUIREMENTS
PHASE II: DESIGN
PHASE III: IMPLEMENTATION
javax.microedition.lcdui - is the user interface API which provides a set of features for implementation of user interfaces for MIDP applications; The codes are written on EditPlus3 application which is later saved to the program file. Before this is done, a new project has to be created on the Wireless toolkit as illustrated below, by default it will be stored to the system hard disk drive used.[26]
Creating a new Project This will involve the check for the use of floating point operations and finalize methods in the Java classes. Then a JAR file containing the application resources will be created. The application resources will then be will be placed under the control of the emulator. In executing the program, the application will be run using the emulator. Once the application has been run, I'll then identify and isolate program bugs and make corrections to source code. Looking at previous steps, the pre-verification and packaging stages are new and unique steps to the J2ME application process.[25] The emulator used is J2ME wireless Toolkit emulator. The client based application process has to function in a mobile device that can be connected to a wireless device. This means the device should be Java enabled, wireless connectivity etc. To ensure the completion be the testing of the project, these steps will be examined:
Creating a table of users in MySQL database.
Use case diagram for mobile client application platform
PHASE IV: TEST
Testing process:
User Authentication
PHASE V: REVIEW Mobile client application has an edge over other mobile banking platforms in which it makes banking easier and more efficient. In regards to security, it is classified as much more demanding compared to other banking platforms, but at the moment it is identified as being the only solution which can satisfy its standards. One of its weaknesses is the complexity of the system, but there has been a lot of skepticism regarding the platform shown by financial institutions in introducing the technology which is not completely acknowledged in practice. With further implementation of the new versions of MIDP, 3G and the introduction of 4G, it has evolved a major increase in mobile network coverage. Mobile banking application will be easily implemented and the development of banking services will spread across Africa and will increase its awareness.[8] In the business line of mobile banking, financial institutions will need to clearly consider dynamic business models such as:
Cost efficiency and reduction: Banks need to increase their service of automation, operate in a more efficient manner by introducing an effective service to customers and introduce a fraud system through the use of alerting SMS service. Today, financial institutions are implementing and launching a complex system of mobile banking solutions from simple SMS platform to enhancing mobile technology for complex downloadable client applications. In achieving this, phases for mobile banking implementation are needed to help in choosing appropriate technologies that will ensure consumer adoption and product enhancement. These phases are:
Addressing Mobile Banking Platforms
Cost savings from the Mobile platform to be implemented
Innovative fee based services to enhance mobile banking
Mobile Financial Services This phase therefore will allow banks to monetize the mobile banking platforms used by implementing an unconventional financial service, thereby creating a broader mobile banking application. Advanced services can be introduced such as the micro payments, the mobile wallet, person-to-person transfers etc. This can be achieved by upgrading the existing mobile platform. As analyzed above, each phase in the mobile banking implementation requires technological decisions to be made. For instance, in the first phase, banks can delivery of notifications to their customers in regards to an awareness of the mobile banking implementation to be carried out. There may be a high response in customer's view to such technology to be used and this will help the banks in its expansion and productivity when carrying out its duties. It is in the second phase that banks will embark on to implement the platform that are beneficial to their customers thereby ensuring a more secure and critical strategic to ensure a reliable service. Errors may occur which may successfully be avoided by applying the third phase where banks should have a quick access to data and a flexible architectural structure of mobile banking. Having outlined the platforms in phases two and three, this makes the migrating to phase three technologically challenging, as security and the architectural attributes have to contend with the mobile platforms that may have to be upgraded. When implementing a mobile platform, it's strategically critical for banks or financial institutes to consider a platform that will allow upgrades to multiple mobile platforms without changing customer's data access. This means there can be a combination of the WAP and Mobile Client application without an intrusion to its data or security, thus banks will easily enhance their mobile financial services without considering investing substantial capital when applying multiple new platforms to the system. To ensure a successful implementation process of a mobile banking platform, advanced technology and more accurate platform decisions have to be taken into consideration in the second and third phases which involves choosing a flexible and comprehensive mobile banking platform that will pave the way for further expansion in future. For service providers, banks and financial institutes, adopting these methods explained above will be an advantage and also productive to them. Mobile banking offers a way to achieve growth in the future based on its rapid expansion in technology, thanks to Sun Java corporate.[29] Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa where mobile penetration is nearing saturation, the idea to expand mobile banking has been discussed and banks are working together with service providers to expand awareness for mobile banking which will improve the country's revenue.#p#分页标题#e# One of the latest observation is that bank now use an advanced technology of mobile banking services to attract the attention of new customers and still maintain their integrity.[29] (责任编辑：www.ukthesis.org) |