In today's world of fast mobile computing devices, there are ubiquitous information portals. The market will soon be filled with different types of devices. These devices that use the Web to find information include personal digital assistants (PDAs), as well as more emerging consumer-oriented service applications, such as in-car messaging systems, home service gateways, and digital set-top Boxes. And those devices will become more popular and complex in design: the task of installing and reconfiguring devices, updating software, automatically signing up for new services, and so on. This process will become more difficult for the user. Therefore, we need to manage mobile devices. Moreover, to improve the user experience and enable streamlined IT support, organizations must develop mobile devices management processes, such as troubleshooting, remote installation of software, updating applications, and backing up and protecting data on mobile devices. However, supporting mobile devices (often far from the nearest support service) can be labor-intensive and expensive. To solve this problem, enterprises can improve their mobile devices management strategy by:
1. Ensure the connectivity of mobile devices. Raising connectivity issues early will help ensure the success of a mobility initiative.
2. Keep abreast of the tools and applications applied to mobile business. Once the device is active and in use, the new application is sent to the device. Setup management, remote software distribution, inventory management, and device audits are critical to providing remote service and a perfect user experience.
3. Care about the security of mobile technology. Addressing technical and usability issues, and ensuring data security, requires IT staff to be trained on site and remotely supporting multiple devices.
4. Personalize mobile devices to match the needs of mobile employees. Ensure that mobile devices have the correct function and location before deployment. A mobile infrastructure should include a configuration plan to make IT consistently mobile supportive.
IT may make sense for enterprises to think of mobile devices as IT resources. If so, the IT department will play a major role - even a leading role - in deciding which mobile devices to choose and how to manage them. Some of the issues encountered and resolved during the mobile device selection process will provide guidance for developing the most likely device management practices.