One of the big questions about moving exclusively to mobile is how you replace enterprise-specific desktop PC apps and systems with mobile replacements.
A leader in this space is Microsoft Dynamics AX, which is a comprehensive business management platform covering accounts, retail (including online retail), operations, payroll and warehousing.
More importantly, it also allows you to develop and deploy task-specific apps for both Windows Phone and iOS to your employee smartphones, which are all powered by the same back end and data model.
SmartCompany recently spoke to Microsoft Dynamics AX general manager Christian Pedersen, who says employees interact with the platform through task specific mobile apps.
“For example, there’s a lot of people who need to do approvals. But they’re not really Enterprise Resource Planning users, so we just have an app for approvals. So if anything needs their approval, it just shows up in their approval app where everything comes in – it can be an expense report, a timesheet, an order.
“So as a manager, you just say ‘okay, what approvals do I have to do today’ and there’s a list. It’s very task-orientated. So the traditional canonical system will be completely bifurcated with lots of different apps, and that’s how we’re seeing it. We have apps for your Windows Phone, or iOS.”
One of the downsides of going exclusively mobile is the potential costs involved.
When it comes to mobile messaging, this has led the rapid growth of non-SMS mobile messaging platforms, as recently demonstrated by the recent $US16 billion purchase of WhatsApp by Facebook.
BlackBerry Australia and New Zealand managing director Matt Ball told SmartCompany mobile messaging apps are increasingly part of the mobile communications mix for business.
“Businesses are increasingly abandoning landline phones and implementing mobile only solutions, despite growing concern from industry groups calling for action over unreasonable price hikes for sending text messages between networks.
“This has given rise to non-SMS based messaging platforms such as BlackBerry Messenger, which continue to grow in both popularity and innovation for business as a cost-effective and more secure alternative to connect and collaborate with colleagues.”
“We recently launched enterprise BBM, a highly secure mobile messaging solution that allows employees to message within the company under a regulated level of enhanced security.
“The advantage of BBM for business is that it’s accessible to all mobile phone users as a free download on all major platforms – iOS, Android and Windows phone.”
One of the risks associated with a business going mobile-only is the possibility a device will be lost or stolen.
Likewise, where businesses opt for a Bring Your Own Device policy, there are the risks associated with employees carrying potentially sensitive customer information on a private device.
This is where a Mobile Device Management system comes into play.
A secure workspace app is installed on the employee’s phone or tablet, and holds all their work apps, contacts, messages and data separate from their personal apps and messages.
The system also encrypts all data between the secure workspace and the server at work.
The MDM system also allows your IT staff to wipe a disgruntled former employee’s secure workspace if they ever leave the company, and to block access from a lost or stolen device.
The leader in the Australian MDM market is BlackBerry’s BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, which offers secure workspaces for Apple iOS and Android devices, as well as for BlackBerry 10 smartphones.
However, before taking the plunge and going mobile only, it’s critical to take into consideration that data from mobile broadband services is generally more expensive than fixed-line broadband.
Knight points out that it might not be a suitable option for larger offices.
“While wireless broadband is suitable for occasional use, it may prove too expensive to meet the needs office of five to 10 employees. Although each business is different, managers should be wary of data usage charges with wireless broadband.”
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
