Sep 17th, 2008 |
Mobility didn’t come to the enterprise at the time and level we all expected, said David Yach, Chief Technology Officer for Software, Research In Motion, makers of the BlackBerry devices. We were promised mobility in the enterprise was going to be widespread just a few years ago. It just didn’t come.
In actuality, voice is still the killer application for the mobile device. The following, are capabilities for mobile devices that have been rolled out over time:
- Voice
- Messaging
- Web
- Business Applications
- IM/Presence
The reason they haven’t all come at once, is because unlike the desktop or even notebook computer, mobile applications have constraints due to the mobile device.
- Finite battery life
- Small screen
- Limited bandwidth
How do you bring wireless into the mix of IT’s responsibilities and make it mobile? Users expect their desktop capabilities to be available through their mobile device. It’s becoming part of the corporate computing environment. And because of user demands, all those traditional IT issues are now mobile.
Workflow happens in real time because you can reach anybody anytime
The big change in IT Yach’s seen is the data that businesses house and manage is a core corporate asset. It’s obvious in the financial industry, but it’s true no matter what industry you’re in, even a bakery. That data is a core part of the success of your business. Problem is trying to deal and protect that core corporate asset adds some stress. Your wired, wireless, and mobile infrastructure have a whole series of devices that want access to that data. Nothing’s changed with what IT needs to deliver. Security and manageability still matter.
Yach announced that RIM has begun mobilizing enterprise applications. They’ve been able to do the following:
- SAP business suite on BlackBerry smartphones
- SAP CRM access as seamless and intuitive as email on BlackBerry
- Incorporating push, alerting, security, GPS, Wi-Fi, media
According to Yach, they believe they’ve achieved the ultimate user experience:
- 1 or 2 click access to CRM directly from BlackBerry address book, inbox and calendar applications
- Seamless synchronization of CRM contacts and tasks into BlackBerry PIM applications
- Log phone calls, emails, directly to CRM
Desktop productivity is different than mobile productivity
The speed of the processor isn’t faster on a mobile, it’s just the overall experience to do that small task is faster. People have a minute or two and they want to get something done.
IT has the ability to achieve this anytime anywhere type of productivity to move your business forward. Your job in IT is getting your mobile device to work with this heterogeneous environment.
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