EDS, Vodafone launch managed mobility service

EDS and Vodafone today announced the IT industry`s first large-scale global deployment of a fully managed mobility service with the launch of a managed BlackBerry service for ABN AMRO Bank of the Netherlands.

Based on the first integrated mobility service model delivered by a systems integrator and wireless carrier, the new service connects individuals seamlessly for anytime, anywhere real-time connectivity. It provides access to e-mail, calendars, contacts, task lists, corporate intranet and the Internet. The managed solution empowers workers to take advantage of downtime and have complete control over when and where they work.

"We`re delivering a truly mobile extension of the enterprise, moving the corporate desktop into the wireless world, while maintaining the consistency, stability and security of a fully managed desktop environment," said Bill Crawford, global offering executive, EDS Mobility Services. "And we deliver the service using existing resources."

In an ABN AMRO pilot, employees worked via their wireless devices an average of 48 minutes each working day and 40 minutes on weekends. Employees cited airports, doctors` offices and soccer fields as common locations where they used their wireless devices.

Ninety-six percent of the pilot users stated the device significantly improved their business effectiveness. Eighty-three percent of users stated the mobile service improved their responsiveness and customer service. Forty-four percent reported direct revenue gains as a result of their increased responsiveness.

According to a recent study by consulting firm AT Kearney, having secure, around-the-clock access to corporate data can increase employee productivity as much as 30%. Wirelessly enabling enterprise applications boosts profitability through reduced cycle times, increased asset utilisation and increased service levels.

"Mobile devices have been around for a while, but EDS and Vodafone together provide the first end-to-end managed service to make them manageable on an enterprise-wide basis. That translates to increased corporate productivity and data security and a lower total cost of ownership," said Crawford.

The service leverages EDS`s Extended Connected Office (ECO) managed mobility solution and Vodafone`s wireless services. EDS contributes end-to-end solution design, architecture and implementation, third-party connectivity, first-line help-desk, device configuration, managed services (applications, network and servers) and break-fix support. Vodafone contributes the mobile network and all of its functionalities, second-line support and the mobile devices.

Alexander Schuit, member of the Management Board at Vodafone Netherlands, said: "We are very happy with this unique integration of two service providers - EDS as a supplier of IT services and Vodafone as a provider of mobile technology and services. Together we deliver a complete package to ensure the customer can benefit from excellent service levels, the best mobile network and good quality of products and services."

"While the ABN AMRO deployment is currently limited to BlackBerrys, our ECO solution supports all popular mobile devices, including PDAs, cellphones and smartphones," said Crawford. "ECO`s flexibility enables us to add additional devices as clients` needs change."

EDS will demonstrate its mobility capabilities at Gartner Symposium ITxpo next week in Orlando, Florida. EDS can be found at Booth #507.