How to Be Successful With Enterprise Mobility

The workforces in most organizations are increasingly working away from their desks, if they even have a dedicated desk any longer. Many organizations are in a situation where one or two application mobilization projects, plus mobile e-mail to a select number of users, have been run more or less as one-off projects and are now in a situation where a mobile strategy must be put in place to ensure cost efficiency, predictability and consistent service-level agreements. A successful mobile strategy must be balanced among technology, people and process.

Correct Balance for a Successful Mobile Strategy

Technology is an important enabler when mobilizing organizations. However, no technological panaceas are available in enterprise mobility. Similarly, an organization needs skilled people to succeed in mobility, but relying solely on "technology heroes" to come in and save projects is unrealistic. Process and policy is the third component needed for success, but it must be in balance with technology and people. Too much process and policy can adversely affect productivity and negate any good intentions. To create the much-needed balance, the company needs to organize for success. A mobile center of excellence (MCoE) is a small investment, but helps drive the efficiencies across the organization. The MCoE exists in many organizations, although it's rarely formalized. A mobile strategy needs to cover policies, device selection, skills, support and technology standards, as well as its impact on the organization and processes.

Sum-up

Organizations must treat mobility with the same rigor as other IT disciplines, leveraging processes, tools, best practices and organizational constructs to meet the requirements from an increasingly mobile workforce in a cost-efficient and consistent manner.