Apple’s iPad has reinvigorated what was an all-but-dead tablet marketplace. In just over 12 months, what was a “novelty” toy is fast becoming an essential work tool and extension to business systems. Motorola, Samsung, RIM, ZTE, Huawei have all released competing tablets. Millions of tablets and hundreds of million smart phones have been sold in a short number of years and their sales are growing exponentially. Mobile computing is truly the future of computing – both for consumers and business.
Over the next few years we’ll no longer be talking about phones or tablets or laptops or desktops. We will see a hybrid world of mobile computing with services being offered via the cloud where consumers and businesses will soon be able to access all critical information via their smart phones and tablets.
The most important component of this transition from PC form factor to mobile computing is software. When the laptop was introduced as an alternative to the desktop computer, no major change in software was necessary. The opposite is true with the shift to mobile computing. Mobile computing is leading us into a new era of software, an era where total functionality is expected, in conjunction with an engaging user experience and anytime, anywhere access.
This new software is called apps.
In my very first blog, I spoke about mobile smart phones and tablets being the fastest growing technology in the history of man. Mobile Apps are an extension of this statement. The consumer space has exploded with apps, however many software and services companies have missed the mark on optimizing their offerings for the mobile user. As a result, many companies have shied away from the app marketplace, especially those with enterprise software services. Enterprise
Smart phones and tablets however have an addictive user interface – complete with interactive touch screen capability, fast processing power, rich graphics, location based services, video and internet all at a users fingertips 24x7. Mobile apps, even enterprise apps must now be about 100% functionality, 100% interactivity and 100% user experience.
Here are some reasons businesses should be embracing mobile computing and the app revolution rather than denying its legitimacy:
1) Security
Security ranks vey high when talking about mobile business apps. The reality is that security on a smart phone or a tablet can be even more robust than on a PC. Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions provide multiple levels of security for mobile business applications, including: pass code to unlock a device, pass code/log-in to access a particular app, the ability for IT to control the device by locking it, locating it, deleting particular files, or even wiping the app from the phone.
Security ranks vey high when talking about mobile business apps. The reality is that security on a smart phone or a tablet can be even more robust than on a PC. Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions provide multiple levels of security for mobile business applications, including: pass code to unlock a device, pass code/log-in to access a particular app, the ability for IT to control the device by locking it, locating it, deleting particular files, or even wiping the app from the phone.
Unlike with a laptop, mobile devices are almost always available to IT because mobile devices are always connected to a network (even on some plane that support Wi-Fi).
2) Access to your business 24x7
In the office, on-the-go, and at home, smart phones and tablets are always connected. There is no longer such a thing as a desk job. Even employees with no customer facing duties have embraced the smart phone and apps revolution. Change management for users is minimal as the interactive nature of mobile apps and touch screens make it easy for users to pick up. Businesses should embrace the mobile computing revolution as an opportunity to boost employee collaboration and productivity. With mobility, companies can keep workers connected to critical business information and ensure that decisions reflect the most up-to-date information and needs of the company via real-time 2 way communications.
In the office, on-the-go, and at home, smart phones and tablets are always connected. There is no longer such a thing as a desk job. Even employees with no customer facing duties have embraced the smart phone and apps revolution. Change management for users is minimal as the interactive nature of mobile apps and touch screens make it easy for users to pick up. Businesses should embrace the mobile computing revolution as an opportunity to boost employee collaboration and productivity. With mobility, companies can keep workers connected to critical business information and ensure that decisions reflect the most up-to-date information and needs of the company via real-time 2 way communications.
3) Intuitive UI
Every smart phone has access to email and think about how easy it is to access and use. If email were just a shrunken version of the desktop solution, it would be incredibly hard to manage and use on-the-go. Similarly, accessing your ERP, CRM, BI systems with mobile business apps must be intuitive, engaging, and interactive for maximum acceptance and productivity.
Every smart phone has access to email and think about how easy it is to access and use. If email were just a shrunken version of the desktop solution, it would be incredibly hard to manage and use on-the-go. Similarly, accessing your ERP, CRM, BI systems with mobile business apps must be intuitive, engaging, and interactive for maximum acceptance and productivity.
4) Interactivity
One of the greatest advantages of business apps on smart phones and tablets is interactivity. Interacting with content is much more engaging and memorable than simply looking at information. Being able to access information from multiple databases about a client or product can easily be displayed on a single screen with the ability to drill down on further information as required. When a business app is highly interactive and intuitive by design, your employees will use the application with greater gusto in their everyday transactions.
One of the greatest advantages of business apps on smart phones and tablets is interactivity. Interacting with content is much more engaging and memorable than simply looking at information. Being able to access information from multiple databases about a client or product can easily be displayed on a single screen with the ability to drill down on further information as required. When a business app is highly interactive and intuitive by design, your employees will use the application with greater gusto in their everyday transactions.
Like it or hate it, the mobile computing revolution has already arrived. Forward thinking companies are taking advantage of this revolution by creating innovative apps, that is, adopting mobile solutions that boost productivity and provide a competitive advantage in their industry. The mobility revolution is delivering new ideas and new opportunities for decision makers to lead their businesses strategies. These include the most common challenges that keep a CEO or MD awake at night, 1) increasing revenue and productivity 2)reducing operating costs 3)minimising negative customer interactions 4)improving business processes 5)delivering to your industries regulation requirements.
Today, some of the most unlikely companies are enhancing their business processes by investing in their future to deliver systems access to multiple smart phones or tablets and at the same time truly differentiating themselves from their competitors.
Do you have a mobility strategy? Are you embracing and benefiting from this revolution or are you praying that it is just a fad?
No comments:
Post a Comment