Mobile technology comes in many forms, from the laptop equipped with 3G to specialised mobile devices and terminals. But as companies see the need for mobility, whether it is to get better productivity from staff in the field, or maximum value from a sale by having the right sales data immediately to hand, there are concerns.
Some of the biggest issues around mobility centre around how to make it secure. How safe is a laptop? What if it is stolen? Can organizations really trust the technology enough to see it carried off site?
ZDNet UK recently gathered a panel of technology experts, at the Mobility Summit, to discuss what works and what doesn't when it comes to mobility.
See the full webcast of this event here.
The speakers included:
Dr Kamay Missaghi (KM), the chief information office for Boehriner Ingelheim, a European-based medical company, who has direct experience of implementing a mobile strategy.
Graham Nugent (GN), the European strategic information services manager for UPS. The delivery company has been a leader in the use of mobile technology. It used its first terminals to record customer transactions, complete with the ability to record a signature electronically, more than 10 years ago.
Mark Beattie (MB), the head of IT for London Waste, which is at the other end of the scale from UPS as far as the use of mobile technology is concerned. The company has a different set of problems, including how to develop a mobile strategy on a tight budget.
David Kemper (DK), vice president at American Express, who has a number of key accounts, including Intel, that need a personal touch if they are to remain loyal; and mobility is important way to keep in contact.
Shmuel Eden (SE), general manager for mobile platforms at Intel, who discussed the role processor maker has to play in making mobile computing as functionally rich as the desk-bound alternatives.
Is return on investment what people should be looking for with mobile technology?
KM: I don't think that is what people should be looking for. People look at it as a justification for what they do but in my view they should think differently. We should look for the value in investment...
