Mobile solution challenges diminish

Deon Liebenberg, Regional Director for Sub Sahara Africa at Research In Motion (RIM), has said some factors holding back wider deployment of mobile solutions are beginning to diminish

By Jennifer Denby | Sat Jul 31, 2010

TAGS: internet, mobile applications, mobile solutions, security, smartphones

Blackberry

Previously, barriers have included price sensitivity, a lack of awareness of the productivity benefits, and ‘analysis paralysis’ in the face of the many choices on the market.

SMEs also fear that they will not cope with the challenges of rolling out mobile solutions because they don't have large IT departments to manage deployment, support and security.

However, many of these obstacles have now been addressed by applications vendors, handset manufacturers and network operators.

“Smartphones are steadily dropping in price, and are now affordable through bundles and contracts from most major network operators,” said Liebenberg.

Mobility platforms have also become increasingly affordable, through options such as BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express and Hosted BlackBerry Solutions, which give smaller-sized businesses most of the features that enterprise-class systems offer, but with far less complexity.

BLACKBERRY ENTERPRISE SERVER EXPRESS

The recently released BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express is one example of a mobile solution that is perfect for companies that don’t have a lot of budget to spend on technology.

As a free new server software, it wirelessly and securely synchronises BlackBerry smartphones with Microsoft Exchange (2010, 2007 and 2003) or Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (2008 and 2003).

“BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express provides users with secure, push-based, wireless access to email, calendar, contacts, notes and tasks, as well as other business applications and enterprise systems behind the firewall. It’s a cost-effective solution that allows companies of all sizes to support enterprise-grade mobile connectivity for all employees without compromising security or manageability,” according to Liebenberg.

Hosted BlackBerry® Solutions, meanwhile, is a fully outsourced solution, available from major Internet and cellular service providers, which turns the mobile server into a predictable monthly cost and frees businesses from needing to own or manage the server and software.

Edited by Ellie Duncan