Picking Up the Right Signals: Wi-Fi vs. Mobile Data
New white paper from iPass looks beyond access technologies to help you get strategic about mobility.
In many companies, the deployment of mobile technologies is less like an organized business activity and more like the Wild West. Renegade employees from top-line managers to regional sales reps to field engineers and others are purchasing their own devices and signing up for wireless services on different retail price plans. They are then charging those costs back to the company in their expense reports. IT is left out of the loop. And perhaps most dangerous of all, use of security features is hit or miss at best.
Not quite what you had in mind for your enterprise mobility strategy? A new white paper sponsored by iPass examines the issue and provides insight into how organizations like yours can develop a strategic mobility plan that generates benefits company-wide.
Here's What You'll Learn
Deciding how, where and when to roll out wireless connectivity for mobile users is an exercise that triggers operational, technical and financial questions. Who needs access? What devices should they use? And on which operating systems should those run? Does 3G mobile broadband, Wi-Fi or a combination thereof make the most sense? How can you protect users against viruses, worms, Trojans and other Internet threats? What vendors should you use? And how can you control the cost of wireless connectivity so it won't blow your budget?
In its October 2007 Symposium, Gartner recommended that organizations form a Mobility Center of Excellence that can segment the user population and develop a strategic approach for maximum effectiveness. An approach that delivers mobility benefits across multiple device platforms, network types, regions and user groups.
Key points to this approach include:
Identify who will manage remote access and mobile devices. Consider setting up your own Mobility Center of Excellence to coordinate the needs of mobile workers and explore how centralized purchasing can maximize overall budgets within the organization.
Rein in maverick users to lower your risks. Every company should have a set of approved devices, standardized with a suite of network security, data protection and loss-prevention tools.
Look beyond email access. Your mobility program must not only span device platforms, network types, regions and user groups, it must offer data exchange that's far deeper than access to email, documents or calendars and contacts.
Consider the workflow. Trace the flow of information to and from your remote and mobile workers and you might find entire work processes in need of an overhaul before a mobility solution can be delivered.
Consider access locations and data types. 3G roaming can still be very expensive. However, in many countries, Wi-Fi is pervasive offering international travelers with lots of choices for fast connectivity. Implement a policy that leverages inexpensive Wi-Fi for overseas access. In addition, consider who really needs mobile data cards for international travel? Would a pool of 3G cards be more appropriate?
Consider a pilot program. It's a good way to evaluate how use, costs and benefits match expectations.
Plan for the future. Get strategic about your enterprise mobility to gain better administrative control, centralize purchases and enable workers with the technology they need to be effective.
In many companies, the deployment of mobile technologies is less like an organized business activity and more like the Wild West. Renegade employees from top-line managers to regional sales reps to field engineers and others are purchasing their own devices and signing up for wireless services on different retail price plans. They are then charging those costs back to the company in their expense reports. IT is left out of the loop. And perhaps most dangerous of all, use of security features is hit or miss at best.
Key points to this approach include:
