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price and wireless connectivity are driving the trend in the midmarket
toward mobile PCs with the majority of growth coming from desktop
PC replacement for established end users. This increase in mobile
PC use is also increasing investments in wireless solutions as major
PC vendors are packaging wireless capability in their products, and
users become aware of the inherent flexibility and benefits of mobility.
According
to Gartner, 60% of midsize businesses (MSBs) will deploy wireless-LANs
(WLANs) within their premises by year-end 2003. Now a viable option,
WLANs will become a critical component for those seeking to improve
business efficiencies in a wide variety of processes, including
inventory, shipping, and manufacturing.
Midsize
businesses know that they can't afford to ignore the advantages
offered by mobile technology, and during the next few years, MSBs
will face:
>A
wider range of choices for mobile data services ‹ dial-up, broadband,
second-generation (2G), 2.5G and third-generation (3G) wireless
wide-area data, and WLAN.
>An
increasing need to scale wireless solutions to a large number of
workers, rather than selected clusters of mobile workers.
>A
wider range of social issues, user interface and processing style
requirements for each mobile worker.
Vendors
in the mobile and wireless market need to understand these trends
to know what MSBs are likely to implement, as well as determine
which groups in a midsize enterprise are likely to implement first.
The
needs of mobile workers vary greatly, so MSBs will need to assess
the limits of the business process they are trying to improve for
mobile workers, and understand how wireless support will affect
their work patterns. To provide an effective mobile environment,
MSBs will first take mobile workers' needs into consideration, before
technology requirements. A
strategic approach for providing an effective mobile environment
in the midsize enterprise will:
>Consider
coverage, the amount of data needed, performance, device form factors,
and roaming to narrow down the choices of mobile service providers.
>Select
the best price, while still setting practical service-level agreements
as part of that pricing.
>Ensure
that devices are well-supported by the network chosen.
>Formulate
support plans in the IT organization for different types of mobile
workers.
>Set
user expectations on proper use, pricing, coverage and performance
of mobile applications.
The
bottom line for mobile and wireless vendors? With an understanding
of the business and technology needs of MSBs, you can gain a competitive
advantage in an important segment with good potential for growth.
Meet
face-to-face with midmarket IT decision-makers to discuss their
approach to mobile and wireless at Midsize Enterprise Summit. Click
here for details.
References
Gartner
Research Note
Five Steps to Contain Mobile Data Costs
Publication Date: February 20, 2003
Author: William Clark, Research Director, Mobile and Wireless, Gartner
Gartner
Research Note
Enterprises Must Plan for Five Categories of Mobile Workers
Publication Date: February 19, 2003
Author: William Clark, Research Director, Mobile and Wireless, Gartner
Gartner
Research Note
SMB Infrastructures Take a Step Toward Mobility in 2003
Publication Date: December 6, 2002
Author: James A. Browning, Vice President and Research Director,
Gartner
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