“Virtualization” Is The Key to Unlock Mobile Enterprise UC
Here is an excellent article about the “smartphone” becoming your next computer.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/smartphones/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210605369
I might rephrase the title to something like “Is The Mobile Handheld Computer Going To Become Your Next ‘Smartphone’? From a UC perspective, you are damn right it will!
As I pointed out in my last post about Citrix and it’s new policy of “BYOC” (Bring Your Own Computer) for its employees, the big hangup for enterprise mobility has been security and device support. Mobility is where the flexibility of UC really pays off most, much more so than at a desktop. So, as I see it, the security concerns for mobile devices can be relieved by “virtualizing” enterprise applications, just like they are starting to do for desktop use. The hosted application servers control access to sensitive information, in a hosted and secure network service environment but where the enterprise can still manage usage and access. That is where the new network infrastuctures of SOA and SaaS are taking business process applications, so we need to include wireless mobility and UC flexibility into that mix as well.
You should keep an eye on the posts of my colleague, Michael Finneran, about mobile devices and whether these should store business applications and data like a desktop computer, or just be a “terminal.” My opinion? The handheld or portable laptop device should always be at least a mobile “terminal.” If you really need to have reliable access, find a wired connection! Otherwise, use any available wireless access. If you have to do real “work,” and want to carry information with you, you will probably want a more efficient bigger screen and a keyboard, so carry a laptop (and your “smartphone” and find a place to dock and sit down!
Of course, we still need the wireless carriers to be more cooperative with consumers, who are also business users, that need mobile access to and from enterprise applications, exploiting Communication Enabled Business Process (CEBP) and self-service portals. That same need will apply to any consumer who is a “customer” of an enterprise business. But, that’s another debate that isn’t finished.
The big issue that is really shaping up is who will supply those “smartphone” devices, mobile operating systems, and mobile software clients to subscribers of wireless services, and how will enterprise organizations be able to exploit and control those devices in terms of access to proprietary business information by authorized business users. The battle for control is just starting!
I believe that the smartphone will, quickly, become a laptop replacement soon. Just look at the iPhone. This powerful little device is Apple’s FIRST entry into the wireless arena…and they’ve change the face of the industry. Apple has forced other manufacturers to innovate and improve their current lineup of smartphones. Back to Apple. There have been rumors circulating that there will a device in the size range between the iPhone and their laptops. Could this rumored device be something considered as the convergence device that would make a laptop unnecessary?
For the Windows Mobile user, maybe the Redfly would be a good option to leave the laptop at home. The Redfly, which recently dropped in price down to $200, acts as a “smartphone terminal” for your WM phone. It gives the user a bigger screen and keyboard, which solves those 2 big cons.