Wireless is More
Mobility is a driving force in today's workplace. Wireless, once the industry's
hot new technology, has evolved into how we do business, rather than a fringe
benefit, and is becoming a standard business practice in the corporate communications
landscape.
When reading about "wireless" and "mobility," it is important to understand the
relationship and how they impact your business. As the domestic and global landscapes
transform into a complex, mobile work environment, companies must find new ways
to remain competitive. A basic understanding of wireless and the benefits of
mobility, as they apply to today's business environment, is essential.
Wireless refers to the actual technology — the platform that enables mobility. Since establishing itself as a technology years ago, wireless has evolved into a common platform for delivering critical business services to organizations of all sizes. Wireless telephones, considered a luxury as recently as 10 or so years ago, now seem to be status quo for just about anyone over the age of eight — and phones were just the tip of the iceberg.
Did you know?
Employees using wireless e-mail have freed an extra 55 minutes during their work day. That is expected to grow to 80 minutes by year-end 2007.
(Enterprise Wireless E-mail Market Trends, 2003-2007)
Mobile solutions, which initially just 'spoiled' top management over a decade ago, are both commonplace and economical throughout the corporate ladder and across a number of industries. Mobility is essentially the act of a workforce — be it one or 1,000 employees — working remotely, or away from the physical office location, either part- or full-time.
Today we live and work in an always-on world. The line is blurring between an employee's desk phone at headquarters and a mobile device, with many wireless phone manufacturers supporting applications that provide seamless transition from cellular to corporate Wi-Fi networks. Fewer and fewer employees work 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the traditional cubicle or office space. Today, even entry-level employees in some fields are issued laptops, PDAs or company mobile phones, many of which offer a number of business applications in addition to voice communication.
Integrating a wireless network with today's cellular network enables clientele to reach employees whenever and wherever they might be, providing two-fold benefits of much improved customer service and satisfaction, and increased efficiency. In addition, with employees working longer days, the increased flexibility that mobile solutions provide improves work-life balance, allowing those hours to be spent outside the office.
Mobile technologies obviously have a range of potential impacts from workforce productivity improvements to a complete redefinition of business processes. As such, a key benefit of wireless technologies and employees' resulting mobility is the potential for scalability and customization. Companies should consider having a neutral party perform an assessment to determine the types of wireless technologies and the extent of a mobile workforce that best suits the company's needs, budget and business model.
Considering all equipment for one's mobility solutions for voice and data can be overwhelming — from laptops, PDAs, and wireless voice and data services to mobile adaptation, application architecture and operating systems, to mobile synchronization. Companies looking to implement mobility solutions for voice and data should seek a neutral assessment of their unique needs and insist on the industries' most respected manufacturers, such as Avaya, Spectralink, Symbol, Proxim, Motorola and Cisco.
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Wireless is More Responsibility
What many organizations don't realize is that the numerous benefits of a mobile workforce can quickly be overshadowed by severe consequences that may be experienced without a security assessment and implementation of a mobility strategy.
One simply can't ignore the critically important security aspects of creating a mobile workforce, even if it is simply purchasing PDAs for a handful of employees.
A security assessment and strategic plan should be implemented to ensure government compliance and to minimize risks, such as devices being stolen or unauthorized access that would compromise data.
Ultimately, when implementing wireless applications, companies must take responsibility to ensure all data is properly encrypted and that VPNs provide secure exchange of critical information.
Seek the expertise of a specialist to evaluate next steps toward achieving a secure wireless network and ultimately reaping the benefits of a mobile workforce.
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