Finding the Truth to 4 Common Mobility Myths
(Toebreaker March 2007)

The use of mobile devices is growing rapidly as companies look for more ways to support a workforce that requires easy, remote and wireless access to the Internet, e-mail, and other applications within the workplace. Many companies have already implemented mobility solutions to address specific business requirements, and to keep in touch with their business anytime, anywhere. As the functionality of mobile devices increases, companies want to expand their use of this technology from supporting niche applications to delivering enterprise-wide solutions.

Myths about Wireless & mobility technology

To successfully plan, deploy, and manage wireless networks, many first have to relinquish old myths and misconceptions. Mobility is a hot topic within the IT community, and as such has its fair share of myths and misconceptions. Below are four common myths about the risks associated with mobility.

Myth #1: Wireless connectivity is not secure

The most commonly cited myth is that wireless networks are not as secure as a wired network. In reality, technology exists today to make data transmission over a wireless network as safe as a wired network. The real issue is not about lack of security, but rather about making the right technology choices to secure wireless solutions from the various threats. Companies need to establish proactive security policies and administration processes, but must also insure minimal disruption to the end-user. It is crucial to provide data encryption, password protection, user authentication, and the ability to remotely lock down devices to keep your wireless network secure. In order to successfully develop and implement these procedures, IT needs to achieve the right balance between the user experience, automation, and the need to protect sensitive data.

Myth #2: Wireless coverage is not widely accessible to support a mobile workforce

Wireless technology is actually only one component of mobility. The emergence of 3G and higher bandwidth cellular networks is a much needed trend and one that is on the horizon, with extensive 3G networks now available in Europe and the Asia Pacific. Companies need to select network coverage that best meets the voice and data needs of their mobile workforce, and the right devices capable of connecting to multiple networks. Capabilities like OpenRoaming enable devices to seamlessly switch between these networks without dropping the connection or requiring the user to re-authenticate on the corporate network, thereby providing a seamless mobile user experience and giving the user a wide scope of coverage.

Myth #3: Mobility is expensive

Costs are always an important factor when considering new technology but so is Return on Investment (ROI). By choosing mobility projects based on their ability to generate targeted, measurable business benefits-such as increased customer service and satisfaction, improved worker productivity and increased revenue, companies can build mobile strategies knowing that their ROI will be real and quantifiable and have a significantly positive impact on their corporate financial goals. Utilizing ROI tools and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models will also help quantify the positive results of wireless deployments.

Consider a company of a field service force utilizing a paper-based process. By adopting a mobile electronic process, service personnel can react more quickly to customer emergencies, or have more information about customer issues prior to making a service call.

This may enable them either to reduce the amount of time spent at that customer site, or eliminate the need to revisit that site because they didn't have the tools or information necessary to fix the issue in the first instance. ROI can now be delivered by reduced costs associated with fewer return visits, an increase in the customer visits per representative on a weekly basis, reduction in the cost of travel and expense associated with return visits and the cost of internal scheduling support, customer support calls and not least, increased customer satisfaction-all have quantifiable business and cost benefits that can be tracked and validated.

Myth #4: Mobility can be difficult to set up, support, and manage

It is true that finding the right wireless solutions with the right capabilities for your size business can be a challenge. In order to make the process easier and more cost-effective, vendors offer services to help companies examine their options and implement wireless solutions faster, with less risk and less disruption. When evaluating the management of wireless networks, companies should consider vendors who offer design tools and capabilities, remote network monitoring, rogue access point detection, and secure remote access technologies. Device management vendors should provide over-the-air updates and data encryption, the ability to provide software patches and upgrades without user intervention, and centralized user administration and reporting.

Companies need to take a holistic approach to implementing a mobile enterprise by looking at all facets of the mobile value chain, including the devices, security, network, infrastructure, applications, and access points. They will need a mobile system that can deliver the management and support for the total work environment, supporting a mobile infrastructure across the enterprise.

Where does IT fit into mobile implementation and support?

Around the world, companies are becoming more geographically dispersed. The shift from a physical office environment to global mobile workplace necessitates a change in technology, and an IT department willing and ready to address the needs of employees wherever they may be.

In many cases, managing an enterprise-wide mobility solution requires additional personnel or the acquisition of new skill sets. Additionally, IT departments may experience an increase in administrative burdens for device management and procurement, help desk and remote support on already overextended IT resources.

Companies should consciously decide if they wish to add staff or outsource the mobile environment to a company, such as CMO Global that is well versed in deploying new technologies and supporting mobility infrastructures and end user

Conclusion

Corporations limit the introduction of mobile technology due to a lack of imagination and understanding. They have become too focused on the components and costs and are missing the bigger picture. Mobility right now is like the Internet was in 1996; then, everyone discounted the Internet, or worried that it would just encourage employees to waste time. Now, companies understand that the Internet is a tremendous resource for accessing and exchanging information, and a powerful platform for commerce.

Companies need to embrace mobility instead of being afraid of it. The business justifications for mobile implementations have been proven; all that's needed is thoughtful implementation. Companies have to implement mobility carefully and use good partners in order to achieve maximum ROI results.