When you consider developing a browser based terminal emulator solution for your mainframe, chances are you're picturing the browsers on common workplace devices, like personal computers, tablets or even phones.
However, the definition of what can interact with a browser has become increasingly broad in recent years, and might now also include cars, vans or trucks as the technology becomes more common. Could this have an impact on the way you structure your modernization and access efforts in the far future if this becomes a regular part of your workforce?
A study from Quantcast recently looked at the web browsing habits of drivers who used the Tesla Model S brand of vehicles and its massive touchscreen, which sits in the center console where a driver can reach it.
On its blog, Quantcast divvied up the different sites that users were visiting through these in-car browsers, and found that 54 percent of the hundreds of thousands of different pageviews were for news sites, particularly Drudge Report. Most of the browsing measured (66 percent) also took place in California, which is perhaps unsurprising considering that state is where most of the models of the car have been sold.
It's not clear that this form of browsing is set to take off into the mainstream yet, but if it does there's the chance that it might become a part of standard mainframe access to make browsers accessible in this manner, especially where jobs can benefit such as transportation or insurance claims adjusting. ReadWrite reports that Audi is also considering this kind of implementation in its vehicles.
Companies need to look for the browser porting methods that make sense now, and base their opinions on what devices their employees are most likely to use soon. Using browser terminal emulation software in the present might help you prepare for the updates you have to make later.