Act now

Companies are under increasing pressure to drive mobility in the connected world. Yet not many in SA have embraced mobility to the extent that it has been impacting their bottom line. Some feel the need to develop a mobile strategy before they act. This is not necessary.

What is required is a security, governance, risk, and compliance platform that can be used to launch mobile initiatives that support the business strategy of a company. Companies do not need a mobile strategy that stands separate from their stated business objectives. They need to adopt a tactical approach to solving business challenges with mobile devices, apps, and content that can be developed on an ongoing basis. It is important to remember that a mobile strategy will evolve as the company addresses inefficient processes.

Mobile devices are not meant to replace desktop computers or notebooks. They aren't intended to be smaller or lighter access points to the same enterprise applications and systems that have been the bedrock of corporate computing for more than a decade. Mobile devices were conceived to change the way users interact with data and content, aiding them to make better decisions more rapidly. It would not be far-fetched to say that mobile is the biggest ICT game-changer since the dawn of the Internet.

Mobility does not have to be complex. Everyone is a consumer, and everyone knows how to use their mobile devices to live more efficiently. So, business decision-makers need to ask themselves what app, data or content on their mobile device will enable them to work more efficiently and achieve their KPIs more effectively.

For line managers, there are universal deliverables to be met irrespective of industry - things like growing revenue, reducing customer churn, managing risk more effectively, improving process efficiency, and reducing or maintaining operational costs are all key elements of doing business.

Now, imagine addressing just one of the above elements with a mobile solution, instead of trying to chart the course of the company's entire organisational mobile strategy for the next two years. Mobile technology changes at a rapid pace. A two-year mobile strategy will not be cognisant of all the potential changes? Instead, companies must focus on what can be achieved in the short term.

Consider the following as potential points of departure:

A company's field-based workforce or that of its contractor is responsible for installing, repairing or replacing equipment against a service level agreement. Instead of an army of call co-ordinators calling or texting this field service team before and after every customer visit, the mobile team could have a personalised dashboard app of all tickets assigned to the team, integrated directly with the service desk application. Field personnel update each client contact, gather customer satisfaction scores, and the customer signs the job off in real-time, before the ticket is closed.

Mobile is the biggest ICT game-changer since the dawn of the Internet.

Data quality is dramatically improved, employees are empowered and are more productive, and the entire process loop is measurable. Such mobile apps and the process improvements they allow deliver up to 85% efficiency gains.

A key service delivery or revenue-generating process is paper-based; survey data is gathered or an application form is completed in ink. Now transfer this data-gathering process to an intelligent form within an app and the glass and keypad of a tablet. Couple this with the geo-location and camera capability of the device, and not only is there a more efficient way of gathering the required data, it is also instantly transferred to a database over the air. The service delivery process is initiated within minutes, rather than days or weeks. Biometric signatures can be included and referenced for added security.

Certainly, there are practical challenges to overcome when increasing the number of devices connecting to a corporate network. Things such as a device policy and acceptable use policy need to be considered. Again, existing technology choices and policy frameworks need to be leveraged when adopting mobility, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.

Fortunately, there are solutions to address this. There are tools that can authenticate users and their devices, provide controlled access to enterprise data, and prevent corporate data leakage. All that is really needed is to work with a technology partner that understands business and can enable the company's mobile capabilities.