Using Mobile Computing Technology in Your Business

It is vital firms keep up with the pace of technological change, if their field based employees rely on mobile technology. Today's smart phones, laptops, net books and tablets all enable high bandwidth applications including email, file sharing, video conferencing, remote PC connectivity, access to data services. Mobile technology connects colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Mobile technology is becoming more prevalent. The cost of computing power halves every year, as advancements in computing design improve. This increase in power has opened up new mobile markets for lower cost wireless hardware devices. These include web enabled mobile phones, PDA's, laptops, sub notebooks, smart phones, GPS handheld devices, point-of-sale technology, and other remotely connected peripheral devices. As prices have fallen, so the number of mobile applications created has risen. Mobile technology has enslaved us into becoming dependant on real-time access to data.

As a business owner, one of the biggest investment headaches relates to mobile technology. Technology becomes obsolete so quickly. Yet technological advances promise so many new business benefits. So the challenge is exploiting the potential of this new mobile technology, without paying large premiums in the process...

Most business owners, intuitively see the benefits of implementing mobile computing technologies. Portable laptops and Internet enabled mobile phones, primarily speed-up decision-making for small firms. Staff can make faster and more informed decisions by exchanging and sharing information in real time. Businesses that have employees out in the field, can get reports back on the progress of sales calls, customer visits and after-sales support issues.

Mobile computing also leads to improved activity and reduce administrative overheads. For instance, users can save time filling out forms. This help ensure orders and invoices are sent out in a timely fashion, thereby improving cash flow. Improved decision-making, can lead to improved productivity and less administrative work for field-based employees. Mobile salespeople can keep in touch with their sales managers, via mobile phone and laptops. This in turn increases the amount of time devoted to customer-facing activity. If invoices can be promptly issued, cash flow can also be improved, (as the payment cycle is significantly reduced).

Mobile computing can also speed up after sales support functions. It is particularly useful for engineers and repairmen, who may be required to leave the office and visit a client to resolve a problem. Staff can remotely access specialist product information on spares, stock and technical fixes. This access also means field-based workers can stay out in the field, and kitted out with everything they to resolve support issues.

It is problematic to keep up with the latest technological gadgets in the mobile computing field. Most business people enjoy using handheld gadgets, but few can be bothered to learn how to use all the features and functions that come with them. Validating return on investment means translating the ever changing variety of software features, into quantifiable business benefits.

With the cost of hardware computing falling, the real cost of mobile computing comes from training users and managing mobile software. Likewise, choosing the right business software, requires careful analysis of business requirements. Proper training is also required, to ensure users actively use new mobile technologies provided. Most users hate being forced into using new systems. If new mobile computing solutions are to be exploited for business gain, then investment in user training is essential. The greater knowledge of software functionality by users, the greater the productivity gains and cost savings are likely to be.

For frequent business travellers, it is imperative users can connect remotely, (particularly for overseas travel or visiting rural areas). There is no point investing in the latest mobile computing device, if users cannot get online. These users may need access across a wide geographic area, using different service providers, and different types of 3G or wireless networks.

Most gripes about mobile computing revolve around access and speed. Yet business users desire to do more on mobile devices, usually supersedes the supply capacity of most networks to meet that demand. Most business users complain about poor network coverage and slow bandwidth. Sometimes users enter 'black spots', and their mobile computing devices become obsolete. To keep up with demand, GPRS networks are rapidly being replaced by 3G networks, to improve higher-speed broadband access. Most capital cities now have hotspots, and commercial businesses provide 3G data card access (allowing almost complete coverage across the UK).

However, uses need to be extremely careful about accessing free and unsecured unencrypted networks (just because it happens to be convenient at the time). Users need to be trained on the dangers of piggy backing off someone else's WIFI network, and exposing company information to hackers. Most portable devices are also limited by the level of energy consumption they use.

Good luck choosing the latest mobile laptops and phones for your small business!