It has become quite apparent in recent months that wireless technology has become relatively accessible, and its subsequent issues like security, well understood.
In fact, WiFi has seen significant adoption in the South African corporate marketplace, and is now in a somewhat "unique" position to extend this strength to the country`s public and commercial arenas.
The wireless technology that corporates invest in as a standard for their devices also enable their mobile employees to access the Internet and corporate intranets from public access points or hotspots in places such as airports and coffee shops.
Investment in wireless technology at the edge now has a double benefit. Indeed, SA boasts hotspots at the Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports, at well-known coffee shops, restaurants and prominent hotel groups countrywide.
Mobility means that we are no longer restricted to our offices and environs and can continue to be productive outside of the workplace - to the benefit of our employers.
We can wirelessly access or use applications such as corporate e-mail, instant messaging and collaboration tools such as calendaring, nationally or internationally.
Significantly, as wireless access points and hotspots continue to proliferate, the geographical scope of the mobile worker continues to increase. Soon, you`ll be able to sit in a coffee shop in De Aar and send important documentation.
These benefits to mobile workers also benefit their employers who - depending on their core business model - can improve the effectiveness of their employees, offer enhanced customer services, benefit from improved turnaround times and better communicate with their mobile workers.
On a more personal level, WiFi technology easily integrates with your computing at home - again improving the overall wireless experience. The bottom line is that WiFi has clearly superseded its contemporaries in the corporate and public domains.
Bluetooth - another wireless technology that has gained tremendous mindshare - is still essentially a PAN (personal area network) technology, enabling its users to connect and synchronise devices, therefore, enhancing that first leg of the wireless journey.
It`s also important that we look at WiFi versus GPRS. Today, the choice of connectivity into the Internet or intranet still mainly depends on the location. Here, GPRS has the upper hand as the only wireless coverage you`ll have in many remote locations will be your cell. However, in more urban areas - and as WiFi continues to grow - the business traveller may find that it is more cost-effective to seek out the nearest hotspot.
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