} The use of mobile devices is growing exponentially as companies look for new ways to support a workforce that requires easy, wireless access to forms and other documents in the field.
} Without a solid investment in current business technologies, you can’t compete effectively in a global marketplace. } Companies struggle to define a mobile IT strategy. } They also find it difficult to identifying the right set of tools for managing mobile IT (MDM).} Companies tend to start with the technology and work backwards from there, trying to solve business problems.
} Finding the right option is imperative.
} We are in an ‘info-centric’ era as we focus our IT plans and strategies around information rather than the computer.
What should a Mobile IT strategy look like?
} Mobility should be at the core of any and all IT strategies going forward.
} Increasingly distributed operations.
} Hopefully Reduce legacy infrastructure costs.
} Think through operational issues before finalising a strategy - management, support, security.
} Pick the best toolset for the job, but keep growth in mind.
} Handhelds will replace PCs for many but expect continuing evolution for the foreseeable future.
} Build teams regardless of the physical distance between team members.
Competitive Advantage from Strategy
} The theme is one of continuous connectivity, where we can access data anywhere.
} The main competitive advantage remaining today for any business, irrespective of industry, is the ability to obtain and act on information ahead of your competition.
} Your ability to get information into the hands of people who need that information, and enable them to act on and interact with that information before the competition does, is what's going to make a difference in terms of business success.
Overview
} The value that mobility brings to an enterprise is well known. It's difficult to imagine how an enterprise cannot benefit from access to information at any location at any time.
} The company should ensure investments in mobile IT fulfil the desired objective of contributing to evolving the IT infrastructure to higher levels of enterprise mobility.
} An enterprise mobile strategy should ensure that:
} The fast-changing technology landscape does not result in investments becoming redundant.
} The existing IT infrastructure can be leveraged to provide mobile solutions.
} Implementation of mobility does not affect the performance and functionality of existing critical enterprise IT systems.