SAP Testing Apple Watch Apps for Enterprise Users

Today’s topics include an effort to create apps that that allow SAP applications to transfer data to the Apple Watch, word of a new project from NASA and Microsoft, an innovative health-tracking band from Google and two new storage systems from Lenovo.

Enterprise workers who use SAP applications in their jobs could one day be able to add data into some of those applications by talking to an Apple Watch instead of manually typing in data on a computer or mobile device.

That’s the idea behind beta testing that’s being done by some SAP customers and employees using custom Apple Watch apps that SAP developers are building to work with the company’s core business applications. SAP says that testing is in its early stages, but is showing promise.

The company reports customers are already expressing interest in making SAP-compatible smartwatch apps available to their workers.

On June 25, NASA and Microsoft announced SideKick, a project that will have HoloLens report for duty aboard the International Space Station.

In its Twitter account, NASA posted a video of HoloLens being tested aboard the Weightless Wonder, the space agency’s C9 jet, which is used for reduced-gravity training.

Microsoft has yet to announce details on HoloLens’ release. However, that hasn’t prevented partners from lining up. Early supporters include Disney, Legendary Pictures and Unity, a video game engine maker.

Google is experimenting with an innovative health-tracking band that doctors could use to help monitor patients in clinical and drug trials, even when they are away from the hospital.

The research into the special wristbands is being done by Google’s life sciences group inside the company’s Google X research division. So far the prototype bands can track a patient’s pulse, heart rhythm and skin temperature, as well as light exposure and noise levels.

Lenovo introduced two new storage area network models at Lenovo Tech World in Beijing. The company says its Lenovo Storage S2200 and S3200 enterprise storage arrays were designed for simplicity, speed, scalability, high-availability and for easy integration into nearly any network environment.

These storage arrays offer dual and single controllers in 2U-12 and 24 drive configurations. The S2200 supports up to 96 drives and the S3200 supports up to 192 drives to support storage growth.