Using Mobile Information Management. (Networks).

Today's modern business executive works from numerous locations including client sites, branch offices, from home or whilst on the move. To take advantage of these new working patterns, access to office based business systems must be maintained to facilitate decision making, strengthen customer relationships and ensure competitive advantage.

However, it is not always possible for mobile executives to visit the office to catch up. They need to be free to access information anytime and from anywhere they choose, unrestricted by landline telephones, network connectors or network cables. For real-time access to business information whilst working remotely, firms can deploy mobile data solutions.

Mobile data systems for corporates have been available since the early 1990s for applications such as communicating with fleet vehicles`Now the emergence of cheap digital cellular services has opened up the market for real-time data accessible over mobile phones, creating an avenue for business to business (B2B) and business to employee (B2E) services in the form of Mobile Information Management (MIM).

Demand for remote access to e-mail and enterprise applications means the MIM market is set to explode. Analysts predict that the demand for non- voice services will grow by more than 70% by 2005 and the mobile Internet will account for nearly half of the entire 108bn [pounds sterling] mobile communications market.

What standards exist?

Throughout the 1990s the second generation GSM standard was adopted by most European players. This could realistically send data at only 9600 bits/s. Now however, 2.5G networks are emerging. These are based on two main standards in the UK - general packet radio service (GPRS) and high speed circuit switched data service (HSCSD). The main benefit of GPRS is that it is an always-on system. Unlike GSM, users don't have to initiate a call from a mobile device to send data, and don't have to pay by the minute. Users are always connected to the network and only pay for the data sent and received. This makes it very useful for accessing online services. HSCSD, on the other hand, focuses on bandwidth than on constant connection and is perceived to be faster than GPRS. On top of these technologies sit the protocols that enable mobile data to be sent. If a 2.5G or 3G network is the route on which mobile data is sent, then these protocols would be the vehicles containing that data. The main protocol in the UK is the wireless access protocol (WAP). WAP is an open, global standard for mobile solutions, including connecting mobile terminals to the Internet, and permits the design of interactive, real-time services for mobile phones.

The future with WAP

Rumours of the death of WAP have been exaggerated. After all it is a standard which has gained support from all major players in the market so it is still rich with opportunities. The big advantage of WAP is that it is an easy and user friendly way to receive and react to information on the mobile phone. But to drive the market for mobile data, the industry needs a killer application. Offering people the ability to look up stock prices and sports scores on WAP phones isn't good enough. Mobile professionals need a solution which will provide compelling value to users by becoming a part of how they move through their day and accomplish their tasks. A good MIM solution should include the following functionality:

Wireless e-mail alerts can provide mobile users with notifications of urgent emails or those from a specific user. They can then use the WAP handset to browse the full body of the e-mail and respond to the e-mail or forward it to another contact.

Wireless office organisation tools enable users to receive calendar updates and add calendar events, to access and update address books and to use and maintain to-do lists in a mobile environment.

Wireless access enables access from a wireless device to important company data and to a wealth of information on `the Internet. The facility allows employees to continue work on projects, find answers to questions and respond to customers whilst, away from the office.

Remote print allows the user to request for detailed information to be printed, treating the fax machine as a remote printer. Hence providing a user with a hardcopy to hand.

Fax facility allows a user to send a fax to a fax recipient with a fax coversheet

The range of technologies available in the wireless world is growing fast and it can be confusing for organisations attempting to evaluate the alternatives. However, simple things need to be in place for it to work. Security is the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of accessing valuable corporate data or exposing corporate plans through mobile communications, in addition, access to information must be in real-time to ensure responsiveness. Also, the information views must be simple and it should be easy to navigate.

For a seamless implementation, work with a provider who has a track record and expertise in this specialist area. If the solution has not been integrated properly into the business users can become quickly disenchanted with the new technology.

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