Companies of all Sizes are Turning Toward Mobile Devices

Traditional business processes have mostly assumed that most workers sit in the same place each day, and that they are relatively immobile. Until recently, for many workers it wasn’t efficient or practical to work any other way. However, over the last several years, the rapid deployment of broad cellular and mobile data networks and the increasing prevalence of laptops and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs) have moved the technology required for mobile messaging squarely within reach of companies of all sizes. At the same time, the pace of business operations has increased, placing a high premium on the ability to be productive from a wider range of locations. Individual users are increasingly demanding mobile access to e-mail, calendar, task, and contact data because it gives them more options to balance work, travel, and personal time. Companies are searching for mobile messaging solutions that provide the capabilities users want at an acceptable cost and with good security.

Mobile messaging offers some key benefits for both companies and their workers:

• Workers can turn downtime into productive time by using mobile messaging devices to stay in touch with co-workers, customers, and business partners. This enables faster response times and greater customer satisfaction
• Organizations can increase their agility and flexibility by using mobile devices to keep their mobile or field staffs up to date when they’re away from traditional desktop or laptop work environments
• Executives and other key decision makers can stay better informed and better connected by using mobile messaging devices to keep abreast of changes or events in their businesses
• Users can quickly find and act on needed information no matter where they are
• Unified messaging systems like Exchange 2007 can deliver multiple information types (including e-mail, contact, calendar, task, voice mail, and data) to a single inbox on a mobile device, cutting down wasted time and eliminating phone tag

Mobile devices can also serve as an application deployment platform so that line-of-business applications can be deployed and used by mobile users. Examples include customer relationship management and sales management applications designed to be used by field customer support and sales staff. In this role, mobile devices extend the reach of both off-the-shelf and custom line-of-business applications.

Windows Mobile

Microsoft Windows Mobile powered devices help you access the business information you need even when you are away from your desk. With over 100 device models shipping from over 45 device-maker partners, and more than 120 mobile operators that support Windows Mobile devices, the Windows Mobile platform offers a range of devices across many regions that is uniquely suited for your organization, your team, and your role. In addition to Microsoft Outlook Mobile and familiar Microsoft Office Mobile software, innovations in Windows Mobile 5.0 include applications such as Voice over IP, persistent storage, on-device password enforcement, and remote wipe.